Warranty and your rights
Warranty
Ask us whether the car you’re looking at comes with a warranty, and what it covers, before you buy it.
Warranty or not, the law below applies when you buy a car from a dealer.
Ring 01632 960740If something’s wrong with your car
Ring us on 01632 960740 and tell us what’s happened. If we can’t agree, Citizens Advice gives free, independent advice.
Citizens AdviceWhat the law gives you
When you buy a used car from a dealer as a private buyer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says it must be:
- Of satisfactory quality, taking its age, mileage and price into account.
- Fit for purpose, including anything you told the dealer you needed it for.
- As described, in the advert and by the dealer.
If it isn’t
- In the first 30 days you can reject the car and get your money back.
- After that you can ask for a repair or a replacement. A fault that shows within six months of delivery is taken to have been there when you bought the car, unless the dealer can show it wasn’t.
- If that doesn’t put it right you can ask for a price reduction or reject the car. With a car, a refund then can be reduced for the use you’ve had of it.
You can make a claim for up to six years after you buy (five in Scotland).
What it doesn’t cover
Wear and tear for the car’s age and mileage, a fault you were told about before you bought it, and a fault that an inspection you made should have shown.
If you buy without coming to see the car
If you buy online or over the phone, you usually have 14 days after it’s delivered to cancel for any reason.
A summary of the law, not legal advice. Citizens Advice can tell you how it applies to you.