A man who escaped a fire in his Jaguar near Watford has blasted a car dealership for reportedly declining to investigate it.

The driver, who wished to remain unnamed, sent his car for repairs just weeks before the blaze broke out on the M1 on July 27 this year.

Images show the car destroyed with its roof ripped off, engine exposed and front wheels melted into the carriageway.

The driver, who works as a bartender in St Albans Road, Watford, was heading to work when he noticed flames between junctions four and five.

Watford Observer: The Jaguar was completely destroyed in a fire on the M1The Jaguar was completely destroyed in a fire on the M1 (Image: handout)

Having purchased the F-Pace Jaguar from Cargiant in July 2021, the next year he noticed a "knocking sound" under the bonnet and was advised by a garage to return it.

Cargiant then reportedly hired engine specialists to carry out work and rebuild the engine and turbo unit.

Hertfordshire Constabulary says officers were called to assist fire services after reports of a black Jaguar on fire near junction 4.

Both the London Fire Brigade and Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue were called to the scene and the flames were extinguished with a hose reel.

The man said: “Due to the extent of the fire, the insurance forensic team could not identify the actual cause of the fire but the probability of the fire would have been caused via the engine.

Watford Observer: Fire services from London and Hertfordshire were called along with policeFire services from London and Hertfordshire were called along with police (Image: Handout)

“I asked Cargiant to investigate both the engine specialist they used to repair the engine as to what could have caused the fire and also to discuss any manufacturing issues with Jaguar.”

Cargiant reportedly told him the fire could not be attributed to the repair and that an investigation will not be carried out.

“I was lucky to get out alive,” explained the driver.

A spokesperson for Cargiant said the third-party repair specialist, which it contracted for the work, "followed expected safety checks and carried out extensive road tests to ensure the repair was successful".

Watford Observer: The owner requested that Cargiant covers the amount that his insurance did not coverThe owner requested that Cargiant covers the amount that his insurance did not cover (Image: Handout)

They said the driver had the vehicle back for 20 days before the fire.

"Following the incident, a forensic examiner inspected the vehicle and could not determine the cause of the fire," they said.

“We understand that [the driver's] insurance company paid out for the market value of the vehicle at the time.

“From our review and information received, there hasn’t been anything to suggest liability for the incident due to the repair. We have been open to engaging with solicitors or insurers as appropriate to provide further information but have not been contacted.”