Used Car Consumer Rights UK: Your Ultimate Guide

Terry Twoo

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Summary

• Your strongest legal rights are with a dealer under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
• In the first 30 days, you can reject a faulty car for a full refund.
• Between 30 days and 6 months, the dealer has one chance to repair or replace the car.
• Buying privately offers very limited protection; the "buyer beware" principle largely applies.

Of all the big purchases you’ll make, buying a used car can feel like the biggest gamble. That initial excitement can quickly curdle into a pit of dread if you discover a problem you didn’t spot on the forecourt. But here’s the good news: you’re not powerless. In fact, if you bought from a dealer, you have some serious legal muscle on your side.

Forget the old tales of "sold as seen" and "buyer beware." Thanks to UK law, your rights when buying a used car are stronger than you might think. Let's pour a coffee and untangle what those rights actually are, when they apply, and what to do when things go wrong.

The First Question: Who Did You Buy It From?

This is the most important question, and the answer changes everything. Your rights are night-and-day different depending on whether you bought from a dealer or a private seller.

Honestly, if there's one piece of advice to take away, it's that the potential savings from a private sale come at the cost of nearly all your legal protection. Our guide on private sellers vs. dealers explores this trade-off in more detail.

Your Rights with a Dealer: The Consumer Rights Act 2015

Think of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 as your shield. It applies to any used car bought from a registered trader (a dealership, garage, or even someone selling cars for profit from their home) after October 1, 2015.

It says the car must meet three key standards:

1. Be of Satisfactory Quality

This is the big one. It doesn’t mean the car has to be perfect – it's a used car, after all. "Satisfactory" is judged against what a reasonable person would expect, considering its age, mileage, and price. You wouldn't expect a 12-year-old, £1,500 runaround to be flawless. But you would expect a 3-year-old, £15,000 family car to be reliable and free from major faults. This covers everything from the engine's health to the electrics working properly.

2. Be Fit for Purpose

This is usually straightforward. A car's purpose is to be driven safely on the road. This right gets more specific if you told the dealer you needed the car for a particular reason. For example, if you said, "I need a car that can tow my 1,500kg caravan," and they sold you one that can't, it's not fit for your purpose.

3. Be As Described

The car must match the description in the advert and anything the salesperson told you. Was it advertised with a "full service history"? It better have one. Did they say it had parking sensors? They'd better be there and working. This is where verbal promises can become part of the contract.

These rights are automatic and non-negotiable. A dealer can't just opt out of them.

The "Sold as Seen" Myth

You'll still see this scribbled on receipts or mentioned by dealers. When you're buying from a trader, it is a legally meaningless phrase. It does not, and cannot, remove your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Something's Wrong: Your Timeline for Action

Okay, so you've found a fault. What you can do next depends entirely on how long you've had the car.

The First 30 Days: The "Short-Term Right to Reject"

This is your golden window. If you find a significant fault within the first 30 days, you have the legal right to reject the car and get a full refund.

The dealer might offer to repair it, and you can choose to accept that if you wish. But you don't have to. The choice is yours. If you want your money back, you are entitled to it. You must, however, stop using the car immediately if you decide to reject it.

After 30 Days, Up to 6 Months: The "One-Shot Repair" Rule

If a fault appears after 30 days but before six months have passed, your rights change slightly, but you're still in a very strong position.

• The dealer gets one chance to repair or replace the car. They get to choose which is more cost-effective for them (it will almost always be a repair).
• The "reverse burden of proof" is on them. This is a crucial point. The law assumes the fault was present when you bought the car. It is up to the dealer to prove that it wasn't. This is a huge advantage for you.
• What if the repair fails? If their one attempt at a repair doesn't fix the problem, or another fault appears, you can then reject the car and claim a refund. The dealer is allowed to make a small deduction from the refund for the use you've had of the vehicle.

After 6 Months: The Burden Shifts to You

Once you pass the six-month mark, you still have rights for up to six years (five in Scotland), but it gets much harder. Now, the burden of proof is on you to prove the fault was present when you bought the car and isn't just down to normal wear and tear. This often requires getting an independent report from a mechanic, which can be costly.

Misrepresentation: When You've Been Actively Lied To

This is different from a car simply developing a fault. Misrepresentation is when you've been sold a car based on false information from the seller. This is governed by the Misrepresentation Act 1967 and applies to both dealers and private sellers.

Examples include:

• Being told the car has a full service history when it doesn't.
• The seller hiding that the car was previously an insurance write-off.
• The mileage being "clocked" or wound back. A car history check can be invaluable in spotting this beforehand.

If you can prove misrepresentation, you may be able to unwind the contract and get your money back, or claim damages for your losses.

Buying Privately: The Wild West

When you buy from a private seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 does not apply. The legal principle is "caveat emptor" or "buyer beware."

Your only real protections are:

1. The car must be "as described." The seller can't advertise it as a 2.0-litre engine when it's a 1.6.
2. The seller must have the right to sell it. It can't be stolen or have outstanding finance against it. You can check for this using a vehicle history check.
3. The car must be roadworthy. It's illegal to sell an unroadworthy car unless it's explicitly sold for scrap or spares.

If a fault appears after you buy it, and the seller didn't lie to you about it, the repair bill is unfortunately yours. This is the risk you take for a potentially lower price.

What About Online Purchases? The Cooling-Off Period

If you buy a car from a dealer online or over the phone (a "distance sale"), you get an extra layer of protection: a 14-day cooling-off period.

• From the day the car is delivered, you have 14 days to tell the dealer you want to cancel the purchase.
• You don't need a reason. You can just change your mind.
• Once you've told them, you have another 14 days to return the car.
• The dealer can charge for collection and may deduct money from your refund if you've used the car excessively.

This is separate from your rights if the car is faulty. The Consumer Rights Act still applies if you discover a fault later on.

A Practical Action Plan if You Find a Fault

Feeling overwhelmed? Don't be. If you discover a problem with a car you bought from a dealer, follow these steps:

1. Stop driving it immediately if you're within the first 30 days and plan to reject it.
2. Contact the dealer straight away. Do it in writing (an email is perfect) so you have a dated record.
3. Be clear and calm. State the date you bought the car, the specific fault, and what you want. Refer to your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
4. If they are uncooperative, mention that you will seek advice from Citizens Advice or The Motor Ombudsman.
5. Keep a record of every conversation, email, and letter.

Navigating your consumer rights can feel intimidating, but the law is on your side, especially when you've bought from a reputable dealer. Know your rights, act quickly, and don't be afraid to stand your ground.

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