Two art deco tourist buses have been declared unfit for the road, despite the Napier City Council spending a reported $1 million on them.
In a road test last week, the refitted secondhand buses were found to have indicators that don't work, faulty headlights, two unattached seats and a patchy paint job.
The council had employed California-based HB Industries late last year to complete the refit.
The buses were intended to be used to take cruise ship passengers from Ahuriri to Marine Parade.
Council chief executive Neil Taylor was sent "impressive" photos of the finished buses and it was thought the buses could be running by next month, the Dominion Post reports.
However, the buses failed a road test in Wellington and could not be driven to Napier.
Mr Taylor said he was "very disappointed" with the poor-quality refitting.
"From 20 metres they look very impressive, but the finish is just not acceptable."
The full cost of the design and refit is thought to be close to $1m.
The council is unlikely to pay a $30,000 retention fee to HB Industries, Mr Taylor said.
The buses have since been transported to Hastings for a full mechanical inspection.
Mr Taylor has written to HB Industries to express his disappointment.
HB Industries owner Bob Roswell was unaware the council was unhappy with the job when he was contacted by the Dominion Post.
NZN