Your Rights When Buying a Used Car — Consumer Rights Act 2015 Explained

Every year, thousands of UK consumers buy used cars that turn out to be faulty, misdescribed, or not fit for purpose. Many of those buyers don’t realise they have strong legal rights — especially when buying from a dealer.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA) is the key piece of legislation that protects you. It replaced the old Sale of Goods Act and gives you clear, time-limited rights to reject a faulty car and get your money back. But these rights only apply to purchases from traders — not private sellers.

This guide explains your 3 core rights, the 30-day rejection window, what happens after 6 months, the difference between dealer and private sales, how to reject a car properly, and what to do if the dealer refuses. We’ve also included a template rejection letter you can use.

1. The 3 Key Rights Under the Consumer Rights Act

When you buy a used car from a dealer (any trader, whether a forecourt or online), the car must meet three legal standards:

• Satisfactory quality: The car must be of a standard that a reasonable person would consider acceptable, taking into account its age, mileage, and price. A 10-year-old car with 100,000 miles is not expected to be perfect — but it should be roadworthy and free from serious defects
• Fit for purpose: The car must be suitable for its intended use — driving on public roads. If you told the dealer you need the car for towing and they confirmed it was suitable, the car must also be fit for that specific purpose
• As described: The car must match any description given in the advert, in conversation, or in writing. If the dealer said it had full service history, a timing belt replacement, or air conditioning — it must have those things

If the car fails any of these three tests, you have legal rights to a remedy — and the remedy depends on how quickly you act.

2. The 30-Day Right to Reject (Full Refund)

For the first 30 days after delivery, you have what the law calls the short-term right to reject. If the car is faulty — meaning it fails any of the three tests above — you can reject it and demand a full refund.

Key points about the 30-day window:

• The 30 days starts from the date you take delivery of the car, not the date you paid for it
• The fault must have existed at the time of purchase, even if it wasn’t immediately obvious
• You do not have to give the dealer a chance to repair it first — you can go straight to a full refund within these 30 days
• The refund must be given without undue delay, and no later than 14 days after the dealer agrees
• You are entitled to a full refund — no deductions for usage during the 30-day period

3. The 6-Month Repair or Replace Right

If a fault develops after 30 days but within the first 6 months, the law presumes the fault was present at the time of purchase. The burden of proof is on the dealer to show otherwise — not on you.

During this period:

• You have the right to request one repair or one replacement
• The dealer must carry out the repair within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience to you
• If the first repair fails, you then have the right to reject the car for a refund
• The dealer may make a reasonable deduction from the refund for the use you’ve had of the car (known as a “usage deduction”)

After 6 months, the burden of proof shifts to you — you must prove the fault existed at the time of purchase. This is harder and may require an independent inspection report.

4. What Counts as “Satisfactory Quality” for a Used Car

This is where many disputes arise. The law says quality must be judged by what a reasonable person would expect, considering:

A clutch failing on a 15-year-old car with 120,000 miles is likely wear and tear. A gearbox failing on a 3-year-old car with 20,000 miles is almost certainly a defect.

5. Dealer vs Private Seller — Know the Difference

This is one of the most important distinctions in used car law:

When buying privately, the car must only match its description. If the seller says it’s “mechanically sound” and the engine blows up the next day, you may have a claim under the Misrepresentation Act — but it’s much harder to enforce than the Consumer Rights Act.

6. How to Reject a Car Properly

If you decide to reject a car, follow these steps to protect your legal position:

1. Put it in writing immediately. Send a letter or email to the dealer stating that you are rejecting the car under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. State the fault, when you noticed it, and that you are exercising your short-term right to reject (if within 30 days)
2. Be specific about the fault. Describe what is wrong — “the engine management light is on and the car stalls at junctions” is better than “the car is faulty”
3. Set a deadline. Give the dealer 14 days to respond and arrange collection or return of the vehicle
4. Keep using the car only if necessary. You are allowed to use it for essential journeys while the rejection is processed, but avoid putting excessive miles on it
5. Get an independent inspection if possible. An AA or RAC inspection report (around £150–£250) strengthens your case significantly

Template Rejection Letter

7. What to Do If the Dealer Refuses

If the dealer ignores your complaint or refuses to refund you, you have several escalation routes:

1. Contact Citizens Advice — Call 0808 223 1133 or visit citizensadvice.org.uk. They can refer your case to Trading Standards and provide template letters
2. Report to Trading Standards — Citizens Advice will pass your complaint to your local Trading Standards office, who may investigate the dealer
3. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) — If the dealer is a member of The Motor Ombudsman or a trade body like the RMI, you can escalate through their free dispute resolution service at themotorombudsman.org
4. Small claims court — For claims up to £10,000 in England and Wales, you can issue a claim through Money Claims Online at gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money. The fee starts at £35. You do not need a solicitor
5. Section 75 claim (credit card) — If you paid any amount by credit card, use Section 75 (see below)

8. Section 75 Protection — Your Credit Card Safety Net

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 is one of the most powerful consumer protections in UK law — and most people don’t know about it.

If you paid any part of the purchase price by credit card (even just a £100 deposit), your credit card company is jointly liable with the dealer for any breach of contract or misrepresentation. This applies to purchases between £100 and £30,000.

This means:

• If the dealer goes bust, you can claim the full amount from your credit card company
• If the dealer refuses to refund you, you can open a Section 75 claim with your card issuer
• You don’t need to have paid the full amount by credit card — even a deposit triggers the protection
• The claim is against your card company, not the dealer — so it works even if the dealer is uncooperative

Final Thoughts

UK consumer law gives you strong protection when buying a used car from a dealer. The 30-day rejection right is your most powerful tool — if you spot a fault quickly, you can get a full refund without giving the dealer a chance to repair. After 30 days, you still have rights, but the process becomes longer.

Always buy from a recognised dealer rather than a private seller if you want maximum legal protection. Keep all paperwork, screenshots, and correspondence. And if you paid by credit card, you have an extra layer of protection that most buyers never use.

If you’re in a dispute with a dealer, start with Citizens Advice — their service is free and they can refer you directly to Trading Standards.

This article provides general information about UK consumer law and is not a substitute for legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, contact Citizens Advice or consult a qualified solicitor.

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