A couple who forked out £33,000 on a brand new Nissan are demanding a replacement as they claim it has "a mind of its own".

Chris and Sarah Sladden bought the blue Qashqai from the car manufacturer's Canterbury dealership last winter, but say the vehicle has been blighted by continuous malfunctions.

They claim the blue SUV 's alarm and hazards go off without reason, and the heater randomly comes on when the car is not in use.

Mr Sladden, who lives in Walmer, says the Japanese car manufacturer is refusing to take responsibility for the vehicle's gremlins.

"We bought it in December because we needed something reliable, which of course it hasn't been," the 61-year-old said.

"You'd think £33,000 would treat you to a nice car which can be very reliable. The alarm and hazards go off randomly and you simply can't stop them.

"We've been trying for months to get it resolved as it's happened on a number of occasions, but we've been moved from pillar to post and haven't got anywhere.

"My wife needs a reliable car as she works at a care home looking after vulnerable adults.

"I don't think it's fair.

"This is the third Nissan we've bought and haven't had issues before. This one has just been a disaster."

The alarm and hazard problem first occurred in February but no faults were found when diagnostic tests were run.

Following more repeated woes, the Canterbury dealership on the Vauxhall Industrial Estate did replace the vehicle's battery in September, in the hope the issue would be resolved.

However, Mr Sladden says the problems have not gone away.

"Last month we went shopping at Lakeside shopping centre and we parked up, but on returning to our car the alarm and hazards were going off," the painter and decorator said.

"The heater was also on; it was very weird. It was like a sauna with water streaming down the windows.

"The RAC came and they said it was unsafe to drive as it could be an electrical fault.

"So it was taken to Nissan Canterbury but they couldn't find an issue.

"They did diagnostic tests but nothing showed. Modern cars are so complicated under the bonnet.

"It's worrying as we don't know why it's happening, or when it is going to go wrong again.

"It was like a sauna with water streaming down the windows..."

"The car has a mind of its own.

"I find it unbelievable as we have been so inconvenienced and stressed by it all.

"I have spoken to them requesting a replacement car but they are not interested."

Nissan says it is eager to work with Mr Sladden to resolve the issues, yet confirms no faults have been found with the car in diagnostic checks.

A company spokesperson said: “We are committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and quality and are keen to understand any issue that Mr Sladden is experiencing.

"However, in checks carried out so far, we have been unable to identify a fault with the vehicle.

"We would invite him to bring the car into the dealership for further assessment and to see if his experiences can be replicated.”