If you buy a new or used car from a dealer and experience problems with it, you have some statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
The Act states the car must be “of a satisfactory qualityâ€, “fit for purpose†and “as describedâ€. (For a used car, “satisfactory quality†takes into account the car’s age and mileage.)
You have a right to reject something faulty and you are entitled to a full refund within 30 days of purchase in most cases.
After 30 days you lose the short-term right to reject the goods.
You’ll also have fewer rights, such as only being able to ask for a repair or replacement, or a partial refund.
In fact, you’re legally allowed to return it up to six years after you bought it (in Scotland, it’s five years after you first realised there was a problem).
But it gets more difficult to prove a fault and not normal wear and tear is the cause of any problem.