Bought a dud car? You have more rights than you think.

Bought from a dealer? Strong rights

From a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says the car must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. If it’s faulty:

• First 30 days: you can reject it for a full refund — including the return of any part-exchange.
• After 30 days: you must give the dealer one chance to repair or replace it; if that fails, you can claim a price reduction or a final rejection.
• The fault must be beyond normal wear and tear and have been there (or developing) when you bought it.

Bought privately? “Buyer beware”

Buying from a private seller gives you far fewer rights. The car only has to be:

• As described in the advert and in person; and
• legally owned by the seller (theirs to sell, no outstanding finance hidden).

There’s no right to “satisfactory quality” or “fit for purpose” like there is with a dealer. But if the seller lied — gave an untrue answer or misrepresented the car in the advert or to your face — you may have a misrepresentation claim and could unwind the sale.

“Sold as seen” — and buying on finance

A dealer cannot use “sold as seen”, “no refunds” or “trade sale” to wipe out your Consumer Rights Act protections — those rights are written into law and can’t be signed away. (With a private seller, “sold as seen” carries more weight, but still doesn’t cover lies or selling something they didn’t own.)

If you used finance, you often have extra routes:

How to get your money back

1. Report the fault in writing to the dealer (or finance company) as soon as you spot it — with dated photos and any diagnostic evidence. Keep copies. Stop driving it if it’s unsafe.
2. State your right clearly — to reject within 30 days, or a repair/replacement after that — quoting the Consumer Rights Act.
3. If they refuse, escalate: through the finance company, a Section 75 claim, the Motor Ombudsman (if the dealer is a member), or the small claims court.

Used-car rights — common questions