Faulty Used Car? Your Rights in the First 6 Months
Bought a used car from a dealer and it has gone wrong? The first 30 days and the first 6 months make a big difference to what you can ask for.
A warning light, a strange noise, a gearbox that slips. When a used car from a dealer goes wrong soon after you buy it, the law is on your side, as long as you act at the right time.
What the Law Expects
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a used car from a dealer must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. Satisfactory quality takes account of the car's age, mileage and price. An older, cheaper car will not be expected to be perfect, but it should be safe and roadworthy and should not break down for no reason soon after you buy it.
Your Rights Step by Step
Within 30 Days
You can reject the car and ask for a full refund. Tell the dealer clearly and in writing that you are rejecting it.
After 30 Days, Within 6 Months
The dealer gets one chance to repair or replace the car. The fault is presumed to have been there when you bought it, unless the dealer can prove otherwise. If the repair fails, you can reject the car or ask for money off.
After 6 Months
You can still claim, but it is usually up to you to show the fault was there when you bought the car. An independent inspection report helps.
Refunds After 30 Days
If you reject after a failed repair, the dealer can take off an amount for the use you have had. For cars, this can apply even in the first 6 months.
What to Do
- Stop driving the car if it is unsafe, and write down when the fault started.
- Contact the dealer in writing. Say what is wrong and what you want: rejection within 30 days, or a repair.
- Keep everything: the advert, invoice, service history, messages and repair quotes.
- Bought on finance? With hire purchase or conditional sale, your claim is against the finance company, which must deal with it. If it refuses, you can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Our full guide: faulty used car from a dealer.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, sections 19 to 24 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Problems with a used car (Citizens Advice, checked 18 October 2026)
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