diff --git a/tests/applications/modelling_e2e/test_handler.py b/tests/applications/modelling_e2e/test_handler.py
index 88374a5d9..305e22f46 100644
--- a/tests/applications/modelling_e2e/test_handler.py
+++ b/tests/applications/modelling_e2e/test_handler.py
@@ -1519,6 +1519,68 @@ def test_same_day_assessments_prefer_the_stored_survey() -> None:
     assert chosen_is_fetched is False
 
 
+def test_refetch_epc_true_models_the_newer_stored_survey_without_resaving_it() -> None:
+    """#1589: refetch_epc=True must not let an older gov cert override a newer
+    stored survey. The stored survey is modelled, and is not re-persisted."""
+    # Arrange
+    mock_engine = _engine_mock([PROPERTY_ID], [UPRN], [POSTCODE])
+    stored_epc = _lodged_epc("2026-05-01")  # PasHub site-notes survey
+    gov_epc = _lodged_epc("2023-12-01")  # older public cert
+    mock_plan = _plan_mock()
+    mock_uow = MagicMock()
+
+    with ExitStack() as stack:
+        stack.enter_context(patch("applications.modelling_e2e.handler.os.environ", _ENV))
+        stack.enter_context(
+            patch("applications.modelling_e2e.handler._get_engine", return_value=mock_engine)
+        )
+        mock_epc_client = stack.enter_context(
+            patch("applications.modelling_e2e.handler.EpcClientService")
+        ).return_value
+        mock_epc_client.get_by_uprn.return_value = gov_epc
+        stack.enter_context(patch("applications.modelling_e2e.handler.GeospatialS3Repository"))
+        stack.enter_context(patch("applications.modelling_e2e.handler.GoogleSolarApiClient"))
+        stack.enter_context(
+            patch("applications.modelling_e2e.handler._spatial_for", return_value=None)
+        )
+        stack.enter_context(
+            patch("applications.modelling_e2e.handler._solar_insights_for", return_value=None)
+        )
+        stack.enter_context(
+            patch("applications.modelling_e2e.handler.overlays_from", return_value=[])
+        )
+        stack.enter_context(
+            patch("applications.modelling_e2e.handler.PropertyOverridesPostgresReader")
+        ).return_value.overrides_for_many.return_value = {}
+        stack.enter_context(
+            patch("applications.modelling_e2e.handler.ScenarioPostgresRepository")
+        ).return_value.get_many.return_value = [MagicMock()]
+        stack.enter_context(
+            patch("applications.modelling_e2e.handler.catalogue_snapshot_with_off_catalogue_overrides")
+        )
+        stack.enter_context(patch("applications.modelling_e2e.handler.Session"))
+        mock_run_modelling = stack.enter_context(
+            patch("applications.modelling_e2e.handler.run_modelling", return_value=mock_plan)
+        )
+        stack.enter_context(
+            patch("applications.modelling_e2e.handler.EpcPostgresRepository")
+        ).return_value.get_for_properties.return_value = {UPRN: stored_epc}
+        MockUoW = stack.enter_context(
+            patch("applications.modelling_e2e.handler.PostgresUnitOfWork")
+        )
+        MockUoW.return_value.__enter__.return_value = mock_uow
+        MockUoW.return_value.__exit__.return_value = False
+
+        # Act
+        _call_handler({**_BODY, "refetch_epc": True})
+
+    # Assert — the survey was modelled, not the older gov cert...
+    modelled_epc = mock_run_modelling.call_args.args[0]
+    assert modelled_epc.inspection_date == date(2026, 5, 1)
+    # ...and it came from the DB unchanged, so it is not re-saved
+    mock_uow.epc.save_batch.assert_not_called()
+
+
 def test_refetch_epc_false_with_stored_epc_skips_api_call() -> None:
     """refetch_epc=False + stored lodged EPC present: EpcClientService.get_by_uprn
     is never called; the stored EPC is used and reaches run_modelling."""