Advice
Consumer Rights Act 2015 for used and new cars (2025 update)
Here’s how the Consumer Rights Act provides second-hand and new car buyers with a wider range of rights covering the sale of goods and services.
Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Additional words by: Nimisha Jain
Last updated on 10 December 2024 | 0 min read
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 remains a cornerstone of consumer protection in the UK, covering goods and services purchased on or after 1 October 2015. The Act replaced older legislation such as the Sale of Goods Act, the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations, and the Supply of Goods and Services Act.
In 2024, it’s more important than ever for consumers, especially car buyers, to understand their rights under this law. This guide provides an overview of key provisions, your rights, and actionable steps to take if something goes wrong. Please note that, while we make every effort to ensure this page is kept up to date, we strongly encourage you to visit sites like Citizen’s Advice and Money Advice Service for the latest impartial advice on legal matters. This article does not constitute legal advice, its aim is to make you aware of which rights are available for further investigation – we cannot say whether they would or would not apply in individual circumstances.
In 2024, it’s more important than ever for consumers, especially car buyers, to understand their rights under this law. This guide provides an overview of key provisions, your rights, and actionable steps to take if something goes wrong. Please note that, while we make every effort to ensure this page is kept up to date, we strongly encourage you to visit sites like Citizen’s Advice and Money Advice Service for the latest impartial advice on legal matters. This article does not constitute legal advice, its aim is to make you aware of which rights are available for further investigation – we cannot say whether they would or would not apply in individual circumstances.
Consumer Rights Act 2015: key points summary
• The Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Your rights under Consumer Rights Act only apply to vehicles bought from a registered trader. If you buy a car from a private seller or at an auction, you’re not covered by this legislation, but by other laws. • Consumer Rights Act is applicable for goods and service bought on or after 1 October 2015 • Sale of Goods Act applies to any vehicles bought before 1 October 2015 • You can seek compensation or a refund after six months of purchasing the vehicle, but it’ll be up to you to prove the fault was there at the time of delivery • The dealer isn’t responsible for any natural wear and tear that happens to your vehicle over time
• Your rights under Consumer Rights Act only apply to vehicles bought from a registered trader. If you buy a car from a private seller or at an auction, you’re not covered by this legislation, but by other laws. • Consumer Rights Act is applicable for goods and service bought on or after 1 October 2015 • Sale of Goods Act applies to any vehicles bought before 1 October 2015 • You can seek compensation or a refund after six months of purchasing the vehicle, but it’ll be up to you to prove the fault was there at the time of delivery • The dealer isn’t responsible for any natural wear and tear that happens to your vehicle over time
What does the Consumer Rights Act cover?
The Act applies to purchases from official traders and ensures that goods and services meet these three core criteria:
1. Of satisfactory quality
• This means the vehicle bought by you shouldn’t be damaged or faulty
• If you buy a new vehicle, it should function as expected • If you buy a second-hand vehicle, its condition and performance should be reasonable • All vehicles should be roadworthy, safe and reliable • The vehicle’s condition should match its age, price and mileage • The quality should match the make and model’s standard, and the vehicle should be as described and advertised
• If you buy a new vehicle, it should function as expected • If you buy a second-hand vehicle, its condition and performance should be reasonable • All vehicles should be roadworthy, safe and reliable • The vehicle’s condition should match its age, price and mileage • The quality should match the make and model’s standard, and the vehicle should be as described and advertised
2. Fit for particular purpose
• The car should be able to fulfil the purpose it’s bought for by functioning as it’s normally expected to
• For example, a 7.5-tonne truck should be able to carry goods weighing up to the promised carry weight or a car’s top speed should match the advertised mph
• For example, a 7.5-tonne truck should be able to carry goods weighing up to the promised carry weight or a car’s top speed should match the advertised mph
3. As described
• The vehicle you buy should match the description in the adverts or the sample model showed in a showroom
• The vehicle’s specs and appearance should be the same as what was mentioned before the purchase • Second-hand cars’ condition and performance should be as described If the car or any other goods and service purchased by you don’t meet any of these three criteria, you may have the following options under the Consumer Rights Act. Again, consult Citizen’s Advice and Money Advice Service for a detailed explanation of whether these rights apply in your situation.
• The vehicle’s specs and appearance should be the same as what was mentioned before the purchase • Second-hand cars’ condition and performance should be as described If the car or any other goods and service purchased by you don’t meet any of these three criteria, you may have the following options under the Consumer Rights Act. Again, consult Citizen’s Advice and Money Advice Service for a detailed explanation of whether these rights apply in your situation.
Your rights as a consumer
If goods or services fail to meet these standards, the Consumer Rights Act grants you the following options:
1. Right to reject You can reject goods within 30 days of purchase if a fault is discovered that was present at the time of sale. Refunds must be processed without undue delay, typically within 14 days. 2. Right to repair or replacement Faults identified between 30 days and 6 months allow you to request a repair or replacement. Dealers are only given one attempt to fix the issue or must provide a refund. 3. Long-term right to a refund After six months, you can still seek compensation, but it’s up to you to prove that the fault existed at the time of delivery.
1. Right to reject You can reject goods within 30 days of purchase if a fault is discovered that was present at the time of sale. Refunds must be processed without undue delay, typically within 14 days. 2. Right to repair or replacement Faults identified between 30 days and 6 months allow you to request a repair or replacement. Dealers are only given one attempt to fix the issue or must provide a refund. 3. Long-term right to a refund After six months, you can still seek compensation, but it’s up to you to prove that the fault existed at the time of delivery.
How the Consumer Rights Act supports car buyers
The Act specifically improves protection for car buyers, addressing common challenges such as disputes over repairs and replacements. It ensures:
• A clear timeline for rejecting faulty vehicles. • Dealers cannot make multiple failed attempts to fix a vehicle. • Buyers of second-hand cars from traders are covered under the Act. Important: Vehicles purchased from private sellers or auctions are not covered by this Act but may fall under other laws.
• A clear timeline for rejecting faulty vehicles. • Dealers cannot make multiple failed attempts to fix a vehicle. • Buyers of second-hand cars from traders are covered under the Act. Important: Vehicles purchased from private sellers or auctions are not covered by this Act but may fall under other laws.
What to do if something goes wrong with your car
• Get in touch with the dealer immediately and address the problem with your car or service purchased.
• Make sure you note down and address the fault clearly and in detail – taking photos and keeping a note of the time and date of when the fault occurred can be helpful. • Keep a record of your conversations with the dealer. • Get all verbal agreements and exchanges down on paper so that you can refer back if needed. • If the dealer mentions any cost of repairs, make sure you understand the cost and agree only if you’re okay with it. • Get in touch with Consumer Advice for more guidance on your situation.
• Make sure you note down and address the fault clearly and in detail – taking photos and keeping a note of the time and date of when the fault occurred can be helpful. • Keep a record of your conversations with the dealer. • Get all verbal agreements and exchanges down on paper so that you can refer back if needed. • If the dealer mentions any cost of repairs, make sure you understand the cost and agree only if you’re okay with it. • Get in touch with Consumer Advice for more guidance on your situation.
Other laws to protect car buyers
• If you’ve bought a car on hire purchase (HP), you may be protected under section 75 of Consumer Credit Act 1974 and Consumer Rights Act 2015.
• If you purchased a car or services through a credit card, you may be protected under section 75 of Consumer Credit Act 1974. • Under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, you can cancel your order within the cooling-off period of 14 days after purchasing a vehicle. • Under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, it’s illegal for dealers to provide incomplete or false information or engage in other unfair business practices. • Vehicles bought on credit are covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). • If you’re buying a car privately, it’s the seller’s legal responsibility to ensure that they have the right to sell the car, and the vehicle matches its description and is roadworthy. • Buying a vehicle through online auction’s ‘buy now’ option and from a business trader covers the vehicle under your general consumer rights (again, if you buy from a private seller at an online auction, you won’t be protected by this law)
• If you purchased a car or services through a credit card, you may be protected under section 75 of Consumer Credit Act 1974. • Under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, you can cancel your order within the cooling-off period of 14 days after purchasing a vehicle. • Under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, it’s illegal for dealers to provide incomplete or false information or engage in other unfair business practices. • Vehicles bought on credit are covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). • If you’re buying a car privately, it’s the seller’s legal responsibility to ensure that they have the right to sell the car, and the vehicle matches its description and is roadworthy. • Buying a vehicle through online auction’s ‘buy now’ option and from a business trader covers the vehicle under your general consumer rights (again, if you buy from a private seller at an online auction, you won’t be protected by this law)
FAQ: Consumer Rights Act and cars
Can I return a second-hand car under the Consumer Rights Act?
Yes, if it’s purchased from a registered trader and fails to meet the standards of quality, purpose, or description. What if my car breaks down after six months? You’ll need to prove that the fault existed at the time of purchase, and the seller isn’t liable for wear and tear. Are auction sales covered? Vehicles bought using the ‘Buy Now’ option from traders are covered, but not private sales at auctions.
Yes, if it’s purchased from a registered trader and fails to meet the standards of quality, purpose, or description. What if my car breaks down after six months? You’ll need to prove that the fault existed at the time of purchase, and the seller isn’t liable for wear and tear. Are auction sales covered? Vehicles bought using the ‘Buy Now’ option from traders are covered, but not private sales at auctions.