You have just driven away in a car you were pleased to buy. Then something goes wrong. It makes an alarming noise, a warning light appears, or it simply will not start one morning. Once you have checked the obvious things and accepted the car has a genuine fault, you need to know where you stand.
Your options depend mainly on who sold you the car and how long ago the purchase was. The law treats private sales and trader sales quite differently, so this is the first thing to establish.
Buying from a Private Seller
If you bought the car from a private individual who was not selling as part of a business, your legal rights are limited. The seller only has to ensure the car matches any description they gave you. This means the mileage should be accurate, and any specific claims they made about the vehicle should be true.
Beyond that, a private sale is largely a case of buyer beware. The vehicle is not subject to the satisfactory quality criterion that applies to trader sales. You cannot reject the vehicle simply because it has developed a fault, unless the seller misled you about its condition.
If you believe the seller made false statements that induced you into the contract, you may have grounds to take action for misrepresentation. This would need to be assessed on a case by case basis. Misrepresentation can include not only deliberate deceit but also negligent or innocent false statements. Keeping any advertisements, messages or receipts from the sale can help if you need to make a claim later.
Bought a faulty car? Find out exactly where you stand legally. Takes 1 minute.
Try our Car Purchase Rights Checker free, here on this site →Buying from a Trader
When you buy from any trader selling cars in the course of business, whether a traditional dealership or another type of business seller, you have stronger protection under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The car must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. Satisfactory quality takes into account the age, price and mileage of the vehicle, so expectations will differ between a new car and an older used one.
If a fault appears within 30 days of purchase that means the car is not as described, not of satisfactory quality, or not fit for purpose, you have the right to reject the car and request a full refund.
Between 30 days and six months, the trader must be given the opportunity to repair or replace the vehicle. If the repair is unsuccessful or the replacement is also faulty, you become entitled to reject the goods. A deduction may be made for the use you have had from the car.
After six months, you will need to prove the fault was present at the time of sale rather than caused by normal wear or something that happened later. You may need an independent inspection report to support your case.
If you bought the car remotely, such as online or by telephone, the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 may also apply. These regulations provide a 14 day cooling off period during which you can cancel the purchase and receive a refund.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
What to Do Next
Start by contacting the seller in writing as soon as possible. Set out what has gone wrong and what you want them to do about it. Keep copies of everything, including emails, letters and any repair invoices.
If the trader refuses to help or you cannot reach an agreement, you have several options:
- If you paid by credit card for a transaction between £100 and £30,000, you may be able to make a claim against your card provider under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. This applies to the full transaction value even if only part was paid on the card.
- If you used a debit card, you might be able to request a chargeback through your bank. This is a process banks offer to help recover funds when purchases go wrong, though it is not a legal right and depends on your bank's policies.
- You can contact Citizens Advice for guidance on your next steps and to report the trader if you believe they have acted unfairly.
- For disputes up to £10,000 in England and Wales, the small claims court may be an option if other approaches have failed.
If the trader belongs to a trade association such as the Motor Ombudsman, you can also raise a complaint through their dispute resolution service.
Building Your Evidence
Whatever route you take, evidence will strengthen your position. Take photographs of any visible faults and keep a record of when problems first appeared. If you have the car inspected independently, make sure the report is from a qualified mechanic or engineer.
PROF Motors
3241 Lafayette RD STE B.
INDPLS, IN 46222.
When we arrived he put me in a small room with windows and a bathroom across the hall. He brought another man in the room who only spoke a couple of sentences the entire time. He started counting the money while the other man started the paperwork. When he got to the money he showed me that he put $7,500.00 on the bill of sale paperwork, which is the amount I would pay taxes on at his dealership. Plus $100 in paperwork processing fees. “The rest I would be paying at the BMV,” he said.
He didn’t explain any of the paperwork. He simply told me where to sign. He handed me one key and pointed to the lobby. I stood there for a little bit and they said that, “I could leave.” I drove home and parked the car in the garage.
A week later I drove the car to a body shop to get an estimate on the car door repairs. He looked the car over and told me things that horrified me. The door was not aliened, the under frame is bent, ALL of the safety air bags had been “CUT OUT” of the car. He said the car had been in a bad accident. I was in shock. He told me to Google the VIN # on Carfax. The results were shocking to me. In the pictures the entire passenger side of the car was clearly destroyed. The final determination on that sight claimed that this vehicle is a “TOTAL LOSS VEHICLE.” I again had the feeling of fear and anxiety.
That was the only time that I have taken the car out of the garage. I can’t drive an unsafe car. No one should. I started doing research to see what just happened, what should I do, who do I call? I was able to find a few definitions of the law for this act of meaningless actions in the purchasing of this vehicle.
Please help. I am retired raising 3 grandchildren and my monthly earnings are $1,100 per month. It will take me 5 years to pay off the loan that I took. I don’t have repair money at all. Thank you for any advise you have for me.
They took out a brand new MOT on the day I bought the car in November 2022.
A couple of days after I got the car, I noticed droplets of some sort of a residue on my driveway. A tire pressure also came up despite the tires being inflated properly.
Took it back to PeterVardy and they said that the mechanic forgot to reset the tire pressure sensor, he gave me the car back and the warning light was gone. They said that there any oil leaks or anything.
Now it's April and there is a massive leak from under the car (Underside tray of car is also stained) and now they're saying that they can't repair it under warranty as this is not a mechanical problem and it will cost me out of my own pockets for whatever the reason is.
What are my rights?
I bought a used car Audi A1 four months ago from a dealership. I have taken it on finance. The dealer has assured me that the car was in a perfect technical condition. I don’t know much about car mechanics so I didn’t think when he refilled the coolant to the proper level. I took a car and drove back to my town. Around a week or so later when I was going for a longer trip than usual the dashboard message showed up that I need to stop the engine, so I stoped on the nearest gas station to check the problem and then I found out that I possibly have a leak of the coolant fluid. I bought it and refilled it and on the next day I called the dealer as I assumed the car was on the one month warranty. He said that I can take the car to his mechanic to fix it (which is around 2h from my place) or take the car to the mechanic in my town. I left the car in the garage near to my place and the car was there for a week and a half until they found that one of the radiators is broken. I have contacted the dealership and he said that I have to claim my money back from the Handler Protect (the insurance company he suggested to sign the breakdown cover for extra £600 per 1.5 year). I though it was weird as to me he supposed to cover the car breakdown not the insurance company. I did what he said but the insurance company has rejected the claim as it was too soon from the day of transaction. I have also contacted my finance advisor about the whole situation, he contacted my dealer and he eventually agreed to cover the part cost but he said that I will have to pay the labour hours. I wasn’t happy but I thought I didn’t have a choice. I paid £150 for the labour hours and he paid £50 for the new radiator. I called the finance company again and they decided to credit me the £150 I paid. I got the car back and was driving only to work very close from my home for another two weeks and the situation happened again. My coolant fluid was below minimum so I called my mechanic and left the car to check the problem. I have also contacted the dealer and he said to do the same thing. I left the car for another week in the garage and they couldn’t find the leak. I took a car and left it by my home, it was already before Christmas so I have used it a few times and thought I will take it back to the garage after new year. After new year I was still on my holiday so I only started using it again around the second week of January. Couple days ago I had an incident with the car... when I stopped it after 10min driving I noticed weird noise from the mask so I opened it. There was a smoke because of the leak and high temperature of the engine. I called my mechanic and took the car to his garage, as it was after the situation they found the problem quite quickly. There was at least one more leak from the head gasket. The head gasket replacement plus labour hours will cost me at least £700-1000 which is a lot of money. It’s the same problem from the beginning. I think that the de
On Monday which is basically today i called him again no answer took car to garage they said engine and gearbox both have faults that's why its noisy. The guy didn't declared any faults in the Ebay listing also he said this car has not been used as a taxi , but the car has definitely been used in taxi as i found taxi Receipt book and some paperwork in the car boot when i was cleaning the car next day also found Transport of London sticker marker at the rear window.
Car which described as non fault drives like new had engine and gearbox fault and he sold it to me as a private car never been used in taxi is 100% confirmed driven as a Taxi. I paid him via online bank Transfer as he wanted cash or bank transfer i am sure now as he hid faults and use of taxi he must have Clocked the car too he said he is the owner of car not trader but on the logbook the trader slip was missing. Car is a 66 Reg car with the millage of 99k on it . I have sent him so many messages via ebay and texts that i will be taking it to Trading Standards and court unless he takea his car back and transfer me my money back.
Money i transferred him via online is £8205 which i used my overdraft facility to buy this car to use this car for my work. Now i am not able to drive this car and don't have any money to Repair my car can't get back to work without the car ao my earnings completely stopped what would you advise me please so i can get back to work quickly and what are my rights.
Thanks everyone for your kind Comments
What rights do I have?
4 days later, the engine sets on fire. RAC tow it to a RAC recommended garage and I am told, the car has never been serviced in 5 years. There has been catrosophic engine failure through lack of neglect. The mileage has been doctored 30,000. A coolant pipe from a Ford had been bolted on, which of course is not a standard repair and the list goes on.....It will cost £3,270 to put right - new reconditoned engine.
I have contacted Hitachi the finance company, who have been good so far, it is under investigation. Can you tell me what my rights are and what I can expect? Will the finance company pay for the repair?
I am completely shocked.
I bought a vehicle to export abroad had no warranty and vehicle broke on way from dealer to port. Was towed to port but cannot start and get its self into the vessel.
Do I have a right to claim my money back or repair from the dealer? What are my rights?
Today my brother purchased his 1st car from a dealership. Cost him £3000 paid with a debit card. My dad collected/drove car home. It broke down on moterway after 5miles.
White smoke blowing out/lack of power.
I have found lots of bad reviews about issues with this garage/service/cars.
I don't think it'll be likely they refund him?
My brother has contacted his bank to cancel the payment. He will try to return the car tomorrow as garage was closing as this all happened.
Can anyone please tell me what they think the best thing to do is?
Do we have any rights to attempt to cancel payment?
Thank you
Ask Consumer Rights Expert a question
Ask our editorial team a question and we will reply with our advice. Tell us as much about your situation as you can: the more detail you give, the more useful our answer can be.
You do not need to use your real name. Please do not include your full address, phone number, email address, or the names of other people. We may edit or remove identifying details for privacy and legal reasons.
Comments are moderated before publication.