In short
- When a dealer or other business sells you a car, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies. The car must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described[7].
- You have 30 days to reject a faulty car and ask for a refund[3]. For this first right, it is for you to show the fault was there when you got the car[2].
- You can ask for a repair or replacement at any time. Once the 30 days are over, it is the first step. A fault that appears in the first six months is treated as there from the start, unless the dealer shows otherwise[2].
- A private seller is different. The car must match its description, but you have far fewer protections than with a dealer[9].
- This is general information, not legal advice. For your own case, Citizens Advice can help.
On this page
- Dealer, private seller or auction: why it matters
- The time limits at a glance
- The first 30 days: the short-term right to reject
- Repair or replacement, and the first six months
- After six months
- Buying from a private seller
- Misleading sellers: what the law says
- Common mistakes about used car rights
- Where to get help
- Common questions
- Sources
In law, the key question is who sold you the car. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects a “consumer”, an individual buying mainly outside their trade or business. It covers purchases from a “trader”, someone selling for purposes relating to their business[1]. A dealer is a trader. A private individual selling their own car is not.
| Who sold it | Dealer or other business |
|---|---|
| Main law | Consumer Rights Act 2015[1] Private seller: Sale of Goods Act 1979: the car must match its description (section 13)[9]. The seller must have the right to sell it (section 12)[8]. Public auction: Most Consumer Rights Act rights do not apply at a public auction that you can attend in person[1] |
| The car must be | Of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described[7] Private seller: As described. The seller must not mislead you[14] Public auction: Not misrepresented in the sales material[14] |
| 30-day right to reject | Yes Private seller: No set right Public auction: Usually not |
| Who you claim against | The dealer. On hire purchase or PCP, the finance company[20] Private seller: The private seller Public auction: The seller, not the auction house[14] |
| Can “sold as seen” take away your rights? | No. A term cannot exclude or limit these rights[6] Private seller: The seller need not point out faults, but must not misdescribe the car[14] Public auction: Read the auction’s terms before you bid[14] |
Citizens Advice calls an auction “probably the riskiest” way to get a used car. You usually lose the protection a trader gives you[15].
This guide does not cover every difference in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The helplines at the end can explain what applies where you live.
This is the timeline when a dealer or other business sells you the car. Each step is explained below.
| When | What you can ask for |
|---|---|
| Days 1 to 30 | Reject the car and ask for a refund, if it is faulty or not as described[3] Worth knowing: The 30 days pause while a repair or replacement is under way[3]. |
| Any time; the main remedy from day 31 | A repair or a replacement, at the dealer’s cost[4]. You choose which, but you cannot require one that is impossible, or that costs the dealer unreasonably more than the other[4]. Worth knowing: A fault that appears in the first six months is treated as there from the start, unless the dealer shows otherwise[2]. |
| If the repair or replacement does not work | A price reduction, or the final right to reject. You can use one, not both[5] Worth knowing: A refund can be reduced for the use you have had. For a car, this can apply even in the first six months[5]. |
| After six months | The same remedies Worth knowing: You are expected to show the fault was there when you got the car[14]. |
Consumer Rights Act 2015, sections 19 to 24. “Final right to reject” means giving the car back for a refund after a repair or replacement has not put things right.
If the car is faulty or not as described, you have 30 days to reject it[3]. The 30 days start on the day after the car became yours and was delivered to you. If the dealer repairs or replaces the car, the clock stops for the time that takes[3]. To reject in these 30 days, it is for you to show the fault was there when you got the car. The six-month rule below does not cover this first right[2].
Which? describes a refund in this period as a full refund[14]. It says to let the seller know as soon as possible that something is wrong with the car. It also says to keep a record of your exchanges, such as emails, and to put verbal agreements in writing[14].
The right is for a fault, or a car that is not as described. It is not a general right to change your mind[2]. Buying online or by phone? A separate right to cancel may apply. Citizens Advice explains it[17].
You can ask for a repair or a replacement at any time, including in the first 30 days. After day 30 it becomes the first step. The dealer must do it within a reasonable time, without causing you significant inconvenience, and at the dealer’s cost[4]. You choose which, but you cannot require one that is impossible, or that costs the dealer unreasonably more than the other[4].
In the first six months, a fault that appears is taken to have been there when the car was delivered. The dealer can show otherwise, or that this does not fit the car or the fault[2]. This covers repair, replacement, a price reduction and the final right to reject. It does not cover the 30-day right to reject[2]. That is why it helps to report a problem as soon as you find it.
If the repair or replacement does not fix the fault, or is not done in a reasonable time, you have a choice. You can ask for a price reduction, or use the final right to reject, which gives you a refund. You can use one, not both[5].
The same remedies are still there, but the position changes. You are expected to show that the fault was there when you got the car. It must be more than wear and tear[14]. An independent inspection report can help. It typically costs around £120 to £250[15].
Not every problem is covered. Citizens Advice lists the cases where you are not entitled to a remedy[16]:
- you were told about the fault when you bought the car, and it was fully explained
- you inspected the car and should have spotted the problem
- you caused the fault
- the fault is normal for how much the car has been used, which is fair wear and tear
Which? says a claim can be brought up to six years after the contract, or five in Scotland[14]. That is a time limit for claims. It is not a promise that a car will last that long.
Keep evidence from the start. A copy of the car’s MOT history from before the sale is dated evidence of its mileage and advisories. It can help, but on its own it does not show a fault. If the problem is the mileage, see how to spot mileage clocking.
The Consumer Rights Act protects you when a trader sells you a car. It does not cover a sale by a private individual[1]. Instead, the Sale of Goods Act 1979 section 13 says the car must correspond with its description[9].
The seller must also have the right to sell the car[8]. If money is still owed on it, the finance company may own it: see what an MOT history can’t tell you.
In practice, Which? says “buyer beware” applies. A private seller does not have to point out faults, but must not misdescribe the car or answer your questions untruthfully. If they do, you may be able to cancel the contract, but enforcing that can mean going to court[14].
For the checks that come before a sale, see the used car buying checklist and what an MOT history can’t tell you.
Unfair trading rules sit in Part 4, Chapter 1 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (the DMCC Act). They apply from 6 April 2025[10] and replaced the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008[12].
The Act bans unfair commercial practices. These include misleading actions, such as false information or a presentation likely to deceive. They also include misleading omissions, such as leaving out information a buyer needs to make an informed choice[10].
Some practices are listed as unfair in every case. One bans a trader from falsely claiming, or implying, that they are not acting for a business[11]. It also bans posing as a consumer[11]. That covers a business posing as a private seller.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) can decide for itself whether a business broke the rules. It can fine a business up to 10% of its global turnover[12]. The part of the Act that would give you a personal claim (section 232) had not started by 9 October 2026[10]. Until that part starts, the CMA says you keep the personal right of redress the 2008 Regulations gave you[13]. If you think a seller misled you, Citizens Advice can explain what you can do.
Myth
“I can return any used car within 30 days, for any reason.”
What's true
The 30 days are for a fault, or a car that is not as described. They are not for changing your mind. If you bought online or by phone, a separate right to cancel may apply[17].
Myth
“‘Sold as seen’ or ‘no refunds’ means I have no rights against a dealer.”
What's true
A dealer cannot use a term like that to take away these rights. Under the Act, such a term does not bind you where it would remove the dealer’s liability.
Myth
“In the first six months I always get a full refund.”
What's true
The six months change who has to show what. For a car, a refund under the final right to reject can still be reduced for use.
Myth
“A private seller has no obligations.”
What's true
The car must match its description, and the seller must not mislead you. The law just gives you less to rely on than with a dealer.
Write to the seller
Say what is wrong, when you found it, and what you want. That could be a repair, a replacement, a price reduction or rejecting the car. Keep copies.
Gather your evidence
The advert, your messages, the receipt, the MOT history and any inspection report.
Call for advice
Citizens Advice consumer helpline (England and Wales): 0808 223 1133. Advice Direct Scotland: 0808 164 6000. Consumerline (Northern Ireland): 0300 123 6262. These numbers were right on 10 October 2026[19].
If the car is on finance
With hire purchase or PCP, the finance company supplied the car, so complain to it as well as the dealer. If that does not settle it, the Financial Ombudsman Service can look at the complaint for free[20].
Try a trade body
If the dealer belongs to a trade body or the Motor Ombudsman, their code of practice and dispute service may help. This works only if the dealer is a member[18].
Ask your card provider
If you paid by credit card, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act can protect goods costing £100 to £30,000. A debit card may allow a chargeback[15].
Court is the last step
If the seller will not put things right, the courts may be your only route. Time limits apply, so do not leave it long.
Common questions
Can I return a used car after 30 days?
Not by the short-term right to reject, which lasts 30 days. But a dealer can still be asked to repair or replace a faulty car. If that fails, you can ask for a price reduction or a refund, which may be reduced for the use you have had.
What is the six-month rule on a used car?
If a fault appears within six months of delivery, it is treated as having been there from the start, unless the dealer shows otherwise. This does not apply to rejecting the car in the first 30 days: there, it is for you to show the fault was there. After six months, you are expected to show the fault was there when you got the car.
What are my rights with a private seller?
The car must match its description, and the seller must not mislead you. But you have far fewer protections than with a dealer, and a private seller does not have to point out faults. If the seller broke the rules, you may be able to cancel the contract, though that can mean going to court.
What are my rights at a car auction?
They are much more limited. At a public auction you can attend in person, most Consumer Rights Act rights do not apply. Your rights are against the seller, not the auction house, so read the terms before you bid.
Does “sold as seen” take away my rights?
Not against a dealer. A dealer cannot use a term such as “sold as seen” or “no refunds” to remove your Consumer Rights Act rights. With a private seller or at an auction, the position is different, so check the terms.
Sources
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 2 (consumer, trader). legislation.gov.uk.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 19 (consumer’s rights to enforce terms about goods). legislation.gov.uk.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 22 (time limit for short-term right to reject). legislation.gov.uk.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 23 (repair or replacement). legislation.gov.uk.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 24 (price reduction or final right to reject). legislation.gov.uk.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 31 (other liability not to be excluded). legislation.gov.uk.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, sections 9 to 11 (satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, as described). legislation.gov.uk.
- Sale of Goods Act 1979, section 12 (implied terms about title). legislation.gov.uk.
- Sale of Goods Act 1979, section 13 (sales by description). legislation.gov.uk.
- Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, Part 4 Chapter 1 (protection from unfair trading). legislation.gov.uk.
- Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, Schedule 20 (commercial practices which are in all circumstances considered unfair). legislation.gov.uk.
- CMA to boost consumer and business confidence as new consumer protection regime comes into force. GOV.UK (CMA), 2025.
- Unfair commercial practices (CMA207). GOV.UK (CMA), 2025.
- The car I bought has a problem: what are my rights?. Which?.
- Buying a used car. Citizens Advice.
- Problem with a used car. Citizens Advice.
- Changing your mind about something you’ve bought. Citizens Advice.
- Getting help from a motor trade association. Citizens Advice.
- Consumer protection rights. GOV.UK.
- Car finance complaints. Financial Ombudsman Service.
