Rejecting faulty used car within 30 days

Yes, you can reject a faulty used car within 30 days of buying it, provided certain conditions are met. Here is the legal position and the practical reality.

Legal position:

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you a short-term right to reject goods that do not conform to the contract. This right lasts for 30 days from the date the goods were delivered to you, or the date ownership transferred, whichever is later.

For the right to apply, the car must fail to meet one or more of the statutory standards. The key ones for a used car are that the goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for a particular purpose, and as described. Satisfactory quality takes into account the age, price, mileage, and condition of the car, including any description given at the point of sale. A used car is not expected to be perfect, but it should be in a condition that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking all those factors into account.

If there is a fault that was present or developing at the time of sale, and that fault means the car does not meet the statutory standard, you have the right to reject the car and receive a full refund within the first 30 days. During this period the burden is on the seller to show the goods did conform to the contract, not on you to prove they did not, although in practice you will strengthen your position considerably if you can produce evidence of the fault.

Important qualifications:

1. This right applies only where you bought from a trader, meaning a business seller or a dealer. If you bought from a private individual, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 does not apply and your rights are much more limited.

2. The fault must have been present or developing at the time of delivery. If the fault was caused by something you did after taking delivery, or by normal wear after purchase, the right to reject will not arise.

3. If you were told about a specific fault before you bought the car and the price reflected that, you cannot then reject for that same fault.

4. The 30-day clock starts from delivery, not from the date you noticed the fault. Timing matters.

Practical steps:

1. Gather your evidence. Keep any communications with the dealer, the sale listing, the receipt or invoice, and any photographs or videos of the fault. If possible, get a written diagnosis from an independent mechanic or garage confirming the nature of the fault and that it was likely present or developing at the time of sale.

2. Notify the dealer promptly and clearly in writing. State that you are exercising your short-term right to reject under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, describe the fault, and request a full refund. Do this by email or letter so you have a written record, and do it within the 30-day period.

3. If the dealer refuses or does not respond, you can escalate. If the car was bought on finance, you may also have a claim against the finance company under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (for credit agreements over 100 pounds and up to 30,000 pounds) or under section 56 of the same Act. If you used a credit card to pay part or all of the price, section 75 may also assist.

4. If the dealer is a member of a motor trade body such as the Motor Ombudsman, you can raise a complaint through that scheme.

5. If informal resolution fails, you can bring a claim in the county court. For claims up to 10,000 pounds, this would be allocated to the small claims track, which is designed to be accessible without a solicitor. Court should be a last resort after you have given the dealer a reasonable opportunity to resolve the matter.

One further point worth noting: if you miss the 30-day window, you do not lose all your rights. You move into the next tier under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which gives the trader one opportunity to repair or replace, and if that fails you can then seek a price reduction or reject the goods, though a deduction for use may apply at that stage. So acting quickly within the 30 days is always preferable.

If you can share more about the specific fault, the price paid, and how you bought the car, I can give you more tailored guidance.