Reclaim money for a faulty used car from a dealer

A used car is still covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 when you buy it from a dealer or trader. The car has to be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. Age and mileage matter, so nobody expects a ten-year-old hatchback to drive like new, but a fault that a reasonable buyer would not expect still counts. This guide is for cars bought from a dealer, garage or trader. Private sales are different and far weaker, so check who you actually bought from first.

Reviewed by Corey Musa, Founder·Last reviewed June 2026·LinkedIn

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Your rights

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 you have a short-term right to reject the car within 30 days of taking ownership if it is faulty, and the dealer must give you a full refund. After 30 days but within the first six months, you must give the dealer one chance to repair or replace it. If that single attempt fails, you can use the final right to reject and claim a refund, though the dealer can make a reasonable deduction for the use you have had. For the first six months any fault is presumed to have been present at the point of sale unless the dealer can prove otherwise. If you paid any part of the price on a credit card and the car had a cash price over £100 and up to £30,000, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes your card provider equally liable alongside the dealer.

Step by step

1Stop driving the car where possible and write down every fault with dates, mileage and what happened. Take photos or video, and keep any diagnostic reports, garage invoices or warning light pictures.
2Write to the dealer stating you are exercising your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. If you are inside 30 days, say you are exercising the short-term right to reject and want a full refund. If you are past 30 days but inside six months, ask for a repair or replacement first.
3Give the dealer a clear deadline of 14 days to respond and keep everything in writing by email or recorded letter so you have a paper trail.
4If the dealer refuses or the repair fails, escalate. Raise a Section 75 claim with your credit card provider if you paid by card, or complain to The Motor Ombudsman if the dealer is a member, and if all else fails prepare a small claims court case.

What they'll say, and your comeback

“The car was sold as seen, so you have no comeback.”

Comeback, Sold as seen has no legal force against a trader. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 cannot be signed away in a consumer sale, so my statutory rights to satisfactory quality stand regardless of that phrase.

“It is a used car, so faults are to be expected.”

Comeback, Reasonable wear is expected, but this is a fault a reasonable buyer would not expect given the price, age and mileage. Within the first six months it is presumed to have been present at sale unless you can prove otherwise.

“You need to let us repair it as many times as it takes.”

Comeback, The Act entitles me to one repair or replacement. If that single attempt fails I have the final right to reject and claim a refund, minus only a fair deduction for use.

FAQ

What if I bought the car from a private seller, not a dealer?

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 only applies to traders. With a private sale you are largely limited to the seller not misrepresenting the car, so the protections in this guide do not apply in the same way.

Can the dealer reduce my refund?

Within the first 30 days you get a full refund. If you reject after 30 days under the final right to reject, the dealer can make a reasonable deduction for the use you have had from the car.

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A self-serve tool, not a law firm. General information, not legal advice.