Your used car warranty rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you stronger protection on a dealer-bought used car than most buyers realise. Here's how to use it.
By WheelsAI Editorial Team · Published
The 30-day right to reject
Within 30 days of buying a used car from a UK dealer, if a fault makes the car not 'of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose or as described' (CRA Section 9), you can reject it for a full refund. The dealer can argue the fault is normal wear and tear; you can argue it's a pre-existing defect. Either way the burden of proof during the first six months sits with the dealer, not you.
The 6-month presumption
Between 30 days and six months, if a fault appears the law presumes it was present at the point of sale — the dealer must prove it wasn't. You can demand a repair, replacement (rarely practical for used cars) or a partial refund. The dealer gets one attempt to repair before you escalate.
Months 6 to 72
From month six onwards the burden flips — you have to prove the fault was present at sale. Possible, but harder. A timeline of symptoms, expert mechanic's report, and any prior service records that hint at the issue are your evidence. Most owners give up here; you don't have to.
What does NOT apply
Private sales: 'sold as seen' is broadly enforceable; CRA does not cover private buyers in the same way. Auctions: usually 'as is' with very limited recourse. Trade sales (you bought via your business): the Sale of Goods Act applies, not CRA, with much weaker protection.
How to claim — the four-step process
When a fault appears.
- Stop driving the car if it's a safety issue. Photo / video any symptom; keep dashboard warning lights documented.
- Email the dealer (not phone — written record matters). State the fault, the date noticed, and the CRA 2015 clause you're relying on (Section 19 for 30-day reject, Section 23 for repair/replace).
- Allow the dealer one repair attempt within a reasonable time (typically 14 days). If they refuse or fail, you can escalate.
- If the dealer ignores you: file a Section 75 claim with your credit card if you paid £100+, contact The Motor Ombudsman, or — last resort — small claims court (under £10,000).
The takeaway
If anything you can't realistically have known about goes wrong in the first six months, email the dealer the same day, cite the CRA, and ask for repair under Section 23. The presumption is on your side. Most reputable dealers settle quickly; the ones who don't are rarely worth chasing further.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Does a warranty deal limit my CRA rights?
No — CRA rights are statutory and cannot be removed by any contract. A warranty deal can ADD protection but cannot remove the 30-day reject or 6-month presumption. Any clause that says otherwise is unenforceable.
What counts as a "fault"?
Anything that means the car is not of satisfactory quality given its age, price and description. A 2018 Fiesta with 60,000 miles is allowed to need brake pads. The same car catastrophically failing within 1,000 miles of purchase is not. Reasonable wear and tear is not a CRA fault.
Can the dealer refuse to refund?
Initially they may — many do. The decision then sits with The Motor Ombudsman (free, ~6 weeks), a Section 75 credit-card chargeback (if applicable), or small claims court. The fact you have CRA on your side typically resolves most disputes by Step 2.
Related guides
- Buying a used car from a dealer: the 30-minute forecourt checklistThirty minutes of focused checks at the forecourt tells you whether the car is right, whether the dealer is honest, and whether the price holds. Here's the checklist.
- Should I buy a used car from a dealer or a private seller (UK)?Dealers cost more but give you legal protection; private sellers are cheaper but you carry the risk. This is the honest comparison: when each makes sense, what each costs you, and how to choose.
- What documents do I need to buy a used car in the UK?The full list of UK paperwork you need to receive (and sign) when buying a used car — V5C, MOT, service history, sales invoice, finance docs and warranty. What is required, what is optional, and what to refuse to accept.
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