Returning a Car in the UK
Whether you’ve purchased a new, used, or financed vehicle, knowing your rights regarding car returns is crucial for saving time, money, and frustration. Motorscan delves into consumer rights when buying from dealers or private sellers, clarifying the return process to ensure it runs smoothly, and we provide practical tips to prevent issues and guidance on the next steps if a dealer fails to resolve your concerns.
Whether you’ve purchased a brand-new or used vehicle, understanding your rights regarding returning a car in the UK is crucial. From navigating return policies, dealing with faulty purchases, and even considering cars bought on finance, knowing when and how to return a vehicle can save you time, money, and hassle. In this guide, Motorscan delves into the intricacies of consumer rights, clarifying the circumstances under which you can return a car and what steps to take to ensure a smooth process.
In the UK, consumer rights for new and used car purchases are primarily governed by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. This legislation outlines the rights and remedies available to consumers who purchase goods, including vehicles. Understanding consumer rights is crucial for every car buyer as this legislation empowers you to return a vehicle under certain circumstances, whether due to discovering faults post-purchase, being unsatisfied with the vehicle’s condition, or other valid reasons. Similarly, ensuring you clearly understand return policies will allow you to confidently exercise your rights and help avoid potential disputes with sellers or dealerships.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 offers crucial protections for car buyers in the UK, whether purchasing a new or used vehicle from a dealership or second-hand car dealer. Under this legislation, buyers have the right to return a car within 30 days of purchase if it is faulty, and they are entitled to a full refund. Beyond this period, buyers can request a repair or replacement if the car develops a fault within the first six months. However, these protections do not apply when buying from private sellers. Instead, buyers seek recourse through the courts if an agreement cannot be reached.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have time-restricted periods to make a claim.
Returning a new car to the dealership typically involves adhering to dealer return policies, which often allow returns within a few days to a few weeks. The vehicle must usually be in the same condition as when purchased, with minimal mileage and no damage. Condition requirements generally mandate that the car is free from wear and tear, damage, or significant mileage beyond a specified limit, with any modifications potentially voiding the return policy.
New cars lose much of their value as soon as they are driven off the dealership forecourt, affecting how much money you might get back if you return it or trade it in. Additionally, dealers incur costs for restocking and preparing the vehicle for resale, such as inspection, cleaning, and repair fees, which may be deducted from the refund or affect the value offered. Being aware of these factors is crucial for buyers to make the best decision and manage expectations when considering returning a new car. Of course, this doesn’t affect your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights laws if the vehicle develops a fault within the initial 30 days.
When you return a used car purchased from a dealership or used car garage, you’re covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, ensuring buyers are protected. Within 30 days, buyers can request repairs, replacements, or refunds if the car is faulty. Repair or replacement options remain available from 30 days to six months, with the process becoming a little more tricky after six months with the onus on the buyer to prove a fault existed at purchase. Dealer return policies typically require the car to be minimally used, in its original condition, with no damage.
If you purchase from a private seller, your rights are more limited, with the protection afforded by the Consumer Rights Act not applying. If a private seller does not accurately describe the vehicle, fails to disclose faults, or is not the legal owner, you still have some legal recourse, though it is more limited than buying from a dealer. Under the Misrepresentation Act 1967 and common law, buyers can take action if they can prove their case, including requesting a refund or price reduction, negotiating repairs or if an agreement cannot be reached, taking legal action through the small claims court to seek compensation.
Under the Consumer Credit Act and Distance Marketing Regulations, purchasing a car on finance means you have the right to change your mind within 14 days after signing the finance agreement. These regulations apply whether you bought the car in person or online, and during this cooling-off period, cancelling the agreement won’t incur any penalties.
If you decide to return the car, it must be in the same condition as when you bought it, with reasonable mileage and no damage beyond normal wear and tear. It’s important to note that returning the car could affect your finance agreement. While you may receive a refund for any payments made, you could also be responsible for costs like depreciation or usage fees accrued during your ownership. Understanding the terms of the finance agreement and the implications of invoking the cooling-off period is essential when considering returning a financed car.
The payment method you choose for car purchases can influence the protections available to buyers seeking to return or dispute their purchase.
When returning a faulty car, start by contacting the dealer to report the issue and, depending on how long you’ve had the vehicle, request a refund, repair, or replacement. If it’s within 30 days of purchase, you can request a full refund. After the initial 30 days, you may be entitled to a repair or replacement. Provide evidence of the fault, like photos, videos or detailed descriptions, along with your receipt and warranty details. Dealers must fix the problem if the car isn’t as described or fit for purpose. Keep records of all communications and any repair attempts so that if the dealer doesn’t resolve the issue, you have evidence supporting a claim through legal recourse or trade association.
When confronting a dealer who refuses a return, it’s important to know your options for additional support and resolution. If the dealer refuses to comply, contact Citizens Advice for guidance on your consumer rights and potential next steps; they can refer your case to Trading Standards, which enforces consumer protection laws and investigates companies that breach these laws. If these steps don’t resolve the issue, you may need to obtain legal advice to understand your options for legal recourse and dispute resolution.
Of course, you can limit your exposure to potential issues by always conducting a thorough vehicle history check before purchasing a car. Knowing the vehicle’s history can help you identify any past problems, discrepancies and mileage anomalies, potentially alerting you to possible issues before handing over your money and finalising the purchase.
Generally, you cannot return a car simply because you change your mind unless it was bought online or through distance selling; in this case, you have a 14-day cooling-off period to return it. Returns for cars bought in person typically depend on the dealer’s return policy.
Within the first 30 days of purchasing a car, you have the right to reject the vehicle and get a full refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Between 30 days and six months after purchasing a car, you have the right to request a repair or replacement under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Yes, you can return a car bought on finance within a specific period, typically within 14 days under the Consumer Credit Act’s right of withdrawal.
Your rights are limited compared to buying from a dealership. There’s no automatic right to return the car unless the seller misrepresented it or didn’t disclose faults known to them.
Purchasing with a credit card provides protection under the Consumer Credit Act Section 75, allowing you to claim for faults or misrepresentation. Notably, only part of the purchase amount is needed to qualify. Debit card purchases may be eligible for a chargeback, typically within 120 days of the transaction, but this depends on the bank and specific circumstances.
You should contact Citizens Advice for guidance or seek legal advice and consider escalating the issue to Trading Standards, which enforce protection laws.
