Buying a car is one of the biggest financial commitments many people make, so discovering there’s something wrong with it can be incredibly frustrating.
Whether you’ve noticed warning lights, unexpected mechanical problems or faults that weren’t mentioned before you bought the vehicle, it’s natural to wonder what your rights are—especially if you’ve bought the car on finance.
The good news is that if you’ve purchased a new or used car from a dealership in the UK, you may have legal protection under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Understanding what to do next, and acting quickly, can make resolving the issue much easier.
This guide explains your rights, what counts as a faulty car, how to reject a car bought on finance and the practical steps you should take if something goes wrong.
The First Thing to Do If You Discover a Fault
If you’ve found a problem with your car, don’t ignore it or hope it will resolve itself.
The sooner you report the issue, the stronger your position is likely to be. Waiting could make it more difficult to show when the fault first appeared or what was agreed with the dealer.
Before taking any further action, we’d recommend doing four things:
- Make a note of the fault and when you first noticed it.
- Take photographs or videos if the issue is visible. Good evidence makes it much easier to demonstrate when the fault first appeared and can help avoid disagreements later if the dealer disputes your claim.
- Keep copies of any warning messages, invoices or repair reports.
- Contact both the dealership and, if the vehicle is on finance, your finance provider.
Keeping a clear record from the beginning can make it much easier to resolve the issue if there’s any disagreement later.
If you believe the fault makes the vehicle unsafe to drive—for example because of problems with the brakes, steering or fuel system—stop using the vehicle until you’ve spoken to the dealer or had it inspected. Continuing to drive an unsafe vehicle could put you and other road users at risk.
What Are Your Rights If You Buy a Faulty Car From a Dealer?
If you bought your car from a dealership for personal use, your purchase is usually protected by the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
These rights exist to make sure buyers aren’t left out of pocket when a vehicle develops faults that shouldn’t reasonably have been present when it was sold.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the vehicle should be:
- Of satisfactory quality – for example, you’d reasonably expect the engine, gearbox, brakes, steering and other major components to work properly, taking into account the vehicle’s age, mileage, price and overall condition.
- Fit for its intended purpose.
- As described by the dealer.
These rights apply whether you’ve paid outright or bought the car on finance.
However, they generally don’t apply when buying from a private seller, where your legal protection is much more limited.
Understanding these rights is important because they determine what you’re entitled to ask the dealer to do if something goes wrong.
What Counts as a Faulty Car?
Not every problem automatically means you can reject a vehicle.
The law considers whether the car is of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described.
For example, a ten-year-old vehicle with high mileage wouldn’t be expected to perform like a nearly new car. Some cosmetic wear is perfectly reasonable.
However, you wouldn’t expect significant mechanical faults, serious electrical problems or undisclosed damage that affects how the vehicle performs.
Likewise, if the dealer advertised the vehicle with specific features or capabilities, those should accurately reflect the car you’ve purchased.
If you’re unsure whether a fault is serious enough, it’s worth discussing it with the dealer as soon as possible rather than assuming it’s normal wear and tear.
Your Rights Depend on How Long You’ve Owned the Car
One of the most important things to understand is that your rights change over time.
Within the First 30 Days
The first 30 days give you the strongest legal protection.
If the vehicle isn’t of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose or as described, you may have the right to reject it and receive a refund.
In some situations, you may prefer the dealer to repair the vehicle instead, particularly if the fault is relatively minor and you’re otherwise happy with the car.
If your vehicle spends time being repaired during this period, those days don’t usually count towards the initial 30-day limit.
If you’ve only recently taken delivery of the vehicle, it’s usually best to report the issue immediately rather than waiting to see if it becomes worse.
Between 30 Days and Six Months
After the first 30 days, your rights change slightly.
In many cases, the dealer is entitled to one opportunity to repair the fault before a refund or replacement becomes appropriate.
If the repair isn’t successful, takes an unreasonable amount of time or causes significant inconvenience, you may then be entitled to reject the vehicle, receive a refund or agree to a price reduction if you wish to keep it.
There isn’t a fixed number of days that counts as a “reasonable” repair time. What’s considered reasonable will depend on the nature of the fault, whether replacement parts are available and how long you’re left without your vehicle. If the repair process drags on without a clear resolution, it’s worth discussing your options with both the dealer and your finance provider.
If you’re approaching this stage, continue keeping records of all communication and any work carried out on the vehicle.
After Six Months
You still have rights after six months, but proving your case can become more difficult.
At this stage, you may need to demonstrate that the fault was already present when you bought the vehicle, even if it only became apparent later.
In some situations, obtaining an independent engineer’s report may help support your claim.
What If the Dealer Says It’s Wear and Tear?
One of the most common disagreements between buyers and dealers is whether a problem is actually a fault or simply normal wear and tear.
Older vehicles naturally experience wear over time, so components such as tyres, brake pads, wiper blades and clutch friction material may eventually need replacing as part of routine maintenance.
However, significant mechanical or electrical faults that were present when the vehicle was sold—even if they only become obvious later—may still be covered by your consumer rights.
If the dealer tells you a problem is simply wear and tear and you’re unsure whether that’s correct, ask them to explain their reasoning.
If you still disagree, an independent inspection can sometimes help clarify whether the issue is simply normal wear or whether a fault was likely to have been present when the vehicle was sold. An engineer’s report can also provide useful evidence if the dispute continues.
What If You Bought the Car on Finance?
Buying a faulty car on finance works slightly differently because the finance company usually owns the vehicle until the agreement ends.
Because the finance company is the legal owner during the agreement, they also have responsibilities if something goes wrong. That’s why it’s important to notify them as soon as you discover a fault rather than dealing only with the dealership.
Your finance provider may investigate the complaint alongside the dealer and help work towards a fair resolution.
Importantly, don’t stop making your finance payments unless your finance provider has specifically instructed you to do so. Missing payments could affect your credit file and may put you in breach of your finance agreement while the dispute is ongoing.
Can You Reject a Faulty Car Bought on Finance?
In many cases, yes.
If the vehicle qualifies for rejection under the Consumer Rights Act, the finance company and dealership will normally work together to resolve the issue.
Depending on your circumstances, this could involve:
- Repairing the vehicle.
- Replacing the vehicle.
- Ending the finance agreement.
- Refunding payments you’ve already made, subject to any appropriate deductions where applicable.
The exact outcome will depend on the age of the agreement, the nature of the fault and whether the vehicle can reasonably be repaired.
The most important thing is reporting the issue promptly and following the correct process.
Should You Repair the Car or Reject It?
This is often one of the biggest decisions you’ll face.
If the fault is relatively minor and the dealer can repair it quickly, having the issue fixed may be the simplest solution.
However, if the vehicle has multiple faults, serious mechanical issues or repeated problems that leave you questioning its reliability, rejecting the car may be the more sensible option.
Before making your decision, consider:
- How serious is the fault?
- Has the dealer already attempted a repair?
- Would you still feel confident owning the vehicle after it’s repaired?
- Is the inconvenience becoming unreasonable?
Thinking about these questions can help you decide which outcome is best for your circumstances.
If your vehicle needs to stay with the dealer for repairs, you might wonder whether you’ll receive a courtesy car. This isn’t an automatic legal right and will usually depend on your agreement with the dealer, any warranty provided and the circumstances of the repair. If having a replacement vehicle is important, it’s worth asking about this before the repair begins.
Don’t Authorise Repairs Yourself
It can be tempting to arrange repairs yourself, especially if you rely on your car every day.
However, unless you’ve agreed this with the dealer or finance company, authorising significant repair work independently could make resolving your complaint more complicated later.
Where possible, speak to the dealer first and give them the opportunity to inspect the vehicle before agreeing to major repairs.
What If the Dealer Refuses to Help?
Most disputes can be resolved directly with the dealership, but that’s not always the case.
If you’re unable to reach an agreement, your next step is speaking with your finance provider if the vehicle was bought on finance.
If the issue still isn’t resolved, you may be able to escalate your complaint through The Motor Ombudsman, provided the dealership is a participating business.
The Ombudsman offers independent dispute resolution and may help both parties reach a fair outcome without going to court.
Legal action should generally be considered only after you’ve exhausted the available complaint procedures.
Before You Contact the Dealer
Having the right information ready can make your conversation much easier and help the dealer investigate the issue more quickly.
Before you get in touch, try to have the following available:
- Vehicle registration number.
- Purchase date.
- Finance agreement number (if applicable).
- Photos or videos of the fault.
- A clear description of what’s happened.
- The vehicle’s mileage when the problem first appeared.
Being organised from the start can save time and reduce the chances of misunderstandings later.
Your Action Plan
If you’ve discovered a fault with your car, these are the key steps to take:
- Stop driving the vehicle if it’s unsafe.
- Photograph or record the fault where possible.
- Contact the dealership as soon as possible.
- Inform your finance provider if the vehicle is on finance.
- Continue making your finance payments unless you’re instructed otherwise.
- Keep copies of all emails, invoices and repair reports.
- Escalate your complaint if the issue can’t be resolved directly.
Following these steps early can help protect your rights and make it easier to reach a fair outcome.
Final Thoughts
Discovering a fault after buying a car can be stressful, but understanding your rights helps you make informed decisions rather than reacting in frustration.
If you think you’ve bought a faulty car, the most important thing is to act quickly.
Report the fault as soon as possible, keep detailed records, continue making your finance payments unless you’re advised otherwise and give both the dealer and your finance provider the opportunity to investigate the issue.
Acting quickly doesn’t just protect your legal rights—it often gives you the best chance of resolving the problem before it becomes a lengthy dispute.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Consumer rights will depend on your individual circumstances. If you’re unsure about your rights, consider seeking independent legal advice or speaking directly with your finance provider.