What to Do If You Buy a Faulty Used Car in the UK
Last updated: 3 August 2025
Step 1: Stop Driving the Car
If you believe the car is faulty, stop driving it as soon as it’s safe to do so. Continuing to drive may make the problem worse and could weaken your legal case if you try to return it later. Take notes or photos of the issue and keep a record of any warning lights, sounds, or breakdowns.
Step 2: Know Your Rights
Your rights depend on where you bought the car:
- From a dealer – You're protected by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The car must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described.
- From a private seller – You have fewer rights. The car must match the description, but it's your responsibility to check the condition before buying.
- From a trader posing as a private seller – This is illegal. You’re still covered under consumer law and can report them to Trading Standards.
Step 3: Act Quickly
If you bought the car from a dealer and it’s faulty, you have strong rights — but timing matters:
- Within 30 days: You can reject the car and get a full refund (unless you caused the fault).
- Within 6 months: The dealer must repair or replace the car unless they can prove the fault wasn’t present at purchase.
- After 6 months: You’ll need to prove the fault was there when you bought it, which may require an expert inspection.
Step 4: Contact the Seller
Inform the seller in writing as soon as possible. Clearly explain the issue, include any photos or documents, and say what you want — a refund, repair, or replacement. Keep a copy of all communication in case you need to escalate the issue.
Step 5: Escalate the Complaint if Needed
If the seller refuses to cooperate, you have options:
- Complain to the Motor Ombudsman (for approved dealers)
- Use a dispute resolution scheme or Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Seek legal advice or start a claim in the small claims court
- Report dishonest sellers to Trading Standards
Can You Return a Car Bought Privately?
With private sales, you can only take action if the seller misrepresented the car — for example, saying it had no faults when it did. You can't return a car just because it breaks down unless you were misled. You may need to take legal action for misrepresentation or fraud.