Scoundrel is in a bad way with current car (8)
I believe the answer is:
cadillac
'car' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'scoundrel is in a bad way with current' is the wordplay.
'scoundrel' becomes 'cad' (cad is a kind of scoundrel).
'is in a bad way' becomes 'ill' (I've seen this before).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'current' becomes 'ac' (alternating current).
'cad'+'ill'+'ac'='CADILLAC'
(Other definitions for cadillac that I've seen before include "Car maker" , "American brand of luxury car" , "Luxury US car" , "Luxury US automobile" , "Make an acid call for the US car" .)