You handed over thousands for a car. Within days or weeks it broke down, had a hidden fault, or simply was not what the dealer described. Now the dealer is stalling, blaming you, or ignoring you altogether.
This guide is for people who bought a car outright, with cash, a debit card, or savings. It explains exactly what the Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you, when you can demand a full refund, what happens after the first 30 days, and how to take a dealer to the county court if they will not co-operate.
Your key right: Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, any car sold by a dealer must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. A dealer cannot contract out of these rights, whatever the paperwork says.
Paid on finance, PCP or a credit card? You may have a faster, free route that does not need a court fee. Start with the claim helper above and answer how you paid, and we will point you to the right place.
The 30-Day Right to Reject
In the first 30 days after buying a faulty car from a dealer, you have an absolute right to reject it and get a full refund. You do not have to accept a repair first, and you do not have to prove the fault was there at the time of sale. The law presumes it was.
- The 30 days runs from the date the car was delivered to you, not the date of the contract.
- Tell the dealer in writing that you are exercising the short-term right to reject.
- The dealer must refund the full price within 14 days of getting the car back.
- No deduction for the miles you covered in the first 30 days is allowed.
Dealer Refusing to Help?
JustClaim drafts your letter before action and your N1 court form to force a resolution. Most dealers settle before a hearing.
Start Your Claim NowYour Rights After 30 Days
The 30-day window closing does not end your rights, it changes them. If a fault appears within six months of purchase, the law presumes it was there at the time of sale, and the burden is on the dealer to prove otherwise. The dealer gets one attempt to repair or replace the car. If that repair fails, takes too long, or causes you significant inconvenience, you can then ask for a price reduction or a refund.
Between six months and six years from purchase you still have rights, but you will need to show the fault existed at sale. An independent engineer report, often 100 to 250 pounds from the AA, RAC, or an independent inspector, is your key evidence, and the cost is recoverable if you win.
Common Faulty Car Problems You Can Claim For
- Hidden mechanical faults. Engine, gearbox, clutch, timing chain or electrical faults that appear soon after purchase.
- Clocked mileage. A lower odometer reading than the true figure. You can claim the difference in value or reject the car.
- Undisclosed accident damage. Structural damage that affects safety and value and was never declared.
- Not as described. Wrong owner count, fabricated service history, missing features, or a write-off that was not disclosed.
Know Exactly What You Can Claim
JustClaim works out your claim amount, including the car value, repair costs, alternative transport, and interest at 8 percent. Take the dealer to court in minutes.
Calculate My ClaimDealer or Private Seller?
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 only applies when you buy from a trader acting in the course of business. A genuine private sale between two individuals is not covered. But many sellers on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Autotrader are really dealers posing as private individuals to dodge consumer law. Multiple similar adverts, a company address, or a pattern of sales can show the seller was actually trading, in which case your full rights apply.
Step by Step: How to Claim Against a Dealer
Document the faults
Photograph every fault, get a written diagnosis from a garage, and keep all messages, adverts, and receipts.
Reject in writing
Within 30 days, write to the dealer stating you are exercising the short-term right to reject and want a full refund.
Letter before action
If the dealer refuses or goes quiet, send a formal letter before action giving 14 days to respond. JustClaim drafts this for you.
File an N1 claim
File in the county court. Claims up to 10,000 pounds are on the small claims track, with no solicitor needed and fees refunded if you win.
Small Claims Court Fees
The court fee depends on the amount you claim, and it is recovered from the dealer if you win:
- Up to 300 pounds costs 35 pounds
- 300 to 500 pounds costs 50 pounds
- 500 to 1,000 pounds costs 70 pounds
- 1,000 to 1,500 pounds costs 80 pounds
- 1,500 to 3,000 pounds costs 115 pounds
- 3,000 to 5,000 pounds costs 205 pounds
- 5,000 to 10,000 pounds costs 455 pounds
Most car dealers settle after a letter before action rather than face a court judgment on their record. Where a defendant does not respond at all, you can win by default judgment.
What You Can Include in Your Claim
- Purchase price, or the relevant share for a price-reduction claim
- Repair costs, backed by quotes or invoices from an independent garage
- Alternative transport, such as a hire car or taxis while the car is off the road
- Inspection and report fees
- Recovery and breakdown costs
- Interest at 8 percent a year from the date of the breach to judgment
Ready to Take Action?
JustClaim walks you through your situation, whether you are rejecting within 30 days or claiming after a failed repair, and generates your letter before action and N1 form automatically.
Start Your Claim NowFrequently Asked Questions
Can I reject a faulty car I bought from a dealer?
Yes. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a car from a dealer must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. If it is not, you can reject it within 30 days for a full refund, or claim a repair, replacement, or money back after that. If the dealer refuses, you take them to the county court.
How long do I have to reject a faulty car?
You have 30 days from delivery for a full refund with no deduction for use. After 30 days you keep your rights for up to 6 years, but you must give the dealer one chance to repair first, and you may get a deduction for use if you reject later.
I paid cash. Is my claim against the dealer?
Yes. If you paid in full yourself, your claim is against the dealer who sold you the car. If you used finance or a credit card, you may have an extra, often faster route, so answer how you paid in the helper above and we will point you the right way.
Does the Consumer Rights Act cover used cars?
Yes. New and used cars from a dealer are both covered. Satisfactory quality takes the age and price into account, so an older, cheaper car is not expected to be perfect, but hidden faults and undisclosed defects are never acceptable.
How much does it cost to take a dealer to court?
Court fees run from 35 pounds for claims under 300 pounds to 455 pounds for claims between 5,000 and 10,000 pounds. They are recovered from the dealer if you win, and there are no solicitor costs on the small claims track.