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Consumer Rights & Legislation

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Last updated: October 2025

Welcome to MotorTrade.co.uk’s Consumer Rights & Legislation guide. Below, you’ll find a clear, accessible summary of your rights when buying a vehicle from a trader in the UK, as well as the legal duties MotorTrade (and all reputable dealers) must uphold.

PLEASE NOTE: This is for general guidance on consumer rights when buying a car UK and does not replace independent legal advice.

Key information from The Motor Ombudsman

How to Reject a Used Car Within 30 Days

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Consumer rights

Scope & Applicability

  • Applies to consumers (private individuals) buying from motor traders / dealers, not private sellers.
  • Based on UK law — primarily England & Wales, with similar rights in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
  • Statutory rights cannot be waived or overridden by contract.
  • Distance (online) sales have additional rights — see Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013

1. Your Rights Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA 2015), vehicles must:

Remedies include:

  • 30-Day Right to Reject — full refund if a major fault appears
  • Repair or Replacement — within 6 months, the trader gets one chance to fix/replace.
  • Final Right to Reject or Price Reduction — if repair fails.
  • Burden of Proof — in first 6 months, the fault is presumed present at delivery.
  • 6-Year Claim Limit (5 in Scotland) for breach of contract.
  • Deductions for Use apply to vehicles — CRA 2015 s. 24

2. Dealer Obligations & Prohibited Practices

Dealers must:

  • Provide accurate and honest descriptions
  • Ensure roadworthiness unless clearly sold for spares / repair;
  • Hold legal title (no outstanding finance, not stolen);
  • Supply promised docs (MOT, service history, V5);
  • Avoid unfair contract terms (“sold as seen” disclaimers are unlawful);
  • Comply with the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 — effective 6 April 2025
  • Be transparent about finance commissions and not mis-sell credit (Financial Ombudsman Service – Motor finance complaints)

3. Distance / Online Sales Regulations UK

If you buy remotely (online/phone):

  • You must receive pre-contract information
  • You get a 14-day cooling-off period from delivery
  • Refunds due within 14 days of cancellation.
  • Delivery must be within 30 days unless agreed otherwise

However, due to logistics and vehicle condition issues, practical return rights can be complex

4. Faults, Repairs, Refunds — Practical Steps

0-30 days
Reject car and claim full refund for major fault
30 days–6 months
One chance for repair/replacement; if it fails, refund or price reduction
6 months +
Must prove fault was present at sale

Other points:

  • Dealer pays for remedy costs.
  • Refund may be reduced for usage.
  • Independent technical reports can help prove faults.
  • Reasonable consequential losses (e.g. towing) may be recoverable.

5. Private Sales & Auctions

  • Private sellers must only:
    • Have title to sell, and
    • Describe vehicle truthfully.
  • No automatic guarantee of quality or fitness — “buyer beware.”
  • Auction rights depend on specific sale terms.

6. Motor Finance & Credit

  • DMCC Act 2024 strengthened Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) powers (unfair pricing, fake reviews) – in force 6 Apr 2025
  • CMA can now take administrative enforcement
  • Car finance redress ongoing. Financial Conduct Authority sets 4 December 2025 deadline for handling rising number of customer queries.

8. How to Make a Complaint / Dispute Resolution

  1. Contact the dealer first (in writing).
  2. Escalate to: The Motor Ombudsman or Trading Standards
  3. Get advice: Citizens Advice
  4. Finance complaints: Financial Ombudsman Service
  5. Last resort: Small Claims Court.
  • Consumer Rights Act 2015
  • Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013
  • Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
  • Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024
  • Consumer Credit Act 1974
  • The Motor Ombudsman
  • Citizens Advice

Consumer Rights & Car Sales — FAQs

What law protects me when I buy a car from a dealer?

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you strong protection: vehicles must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and match the description.

Can I return a car if there’s a fault?

Yes.

After 6 months → you must prove the fault existed at sale.
Within 30 days → reject for a full refund.
Within 6 months → one repair/replacement allowed; if it fails, refund or price cut.
See The Motor Ombudsman for consumer rights

Does “sold as seen” cancel my rights?

No — such clauses are unlawful under consumer law.

What are my rights if I buy online or by phone?

Under The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 you usually have a 14-day cooling-off period to cancel after delivery. Some exceptions apply for customised or heavily-used vehicles.

What should a dealer provide?

Dealers must:
Be transparent about any commissions.
Describe vehicles truthfully;
Provide MOT/service/V5 documents;
Ensure roadworthiness (unless clearly for spares);
Hold legal title (no outstanding finance);

What if I buy privately?

Private sellers only need to:

  • Own the vehicle:
  • Describe it accurately.

There’s no automatic guarantee of condition.

How do I complain if something goes wrong?
  1. Contact the dealer first (in writing).
  2. Escalate to The Motor Ombudsman or Trading Standards
  3. Get help from Citizens Advice
  4. Finance issue? Contact the Financial Ombusman Service
What’s new in 2025?
  1. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 came into effect 6 Apr 2025 — cracking down on unfair online practices.
  2. The CMA can now directly fine firms for consumer-law breaches.
  3. The FCA is investigating historic motor-finance commissions — complaints open through 2025.