Can I reject my car?

Can I reject a car after 30 days?

After the short-term period, you normally need to seek repair or replacement first. You may instead qualify for a price reduction or final rejection if neither remedy can be required, if the car still does not conform after one repair or replacement, or if the trader fails to provide the requested remedy within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience. On a final rejection the refund can be reduced for the use you have had.

What counts as a fault?

A car must be of satisfactory quality: the standard a reasonable person would expect, taking account of its description, price, age and mileage. That covers safety, durability, freedom from minor defects, and appearance and finish. The car must also match its description, and be reasonably fit for any particular purpose you made known to the dealer before buying, unless you did not rely, or it was unreasonable to rely, on the dealer's skill or judgement. For the satisfactory-quality requirement, you generally cannot rely on a defect specifically pointed out before contracting, or one your own pre-contract examination ought to have revealed. Ordinary wear and tear is not a fault.

Can the dealer charge me for the miles I have done?

No deduction for use applies to a valid short-term rejection, including during an extended short-term period after repair or replacement. Under the final right to reject, the refund can be reduced to reflect the use you have had. For cars this applies even in the first six months, unlike most other goods.

How do I reject the car?

Tell the seller clearly, before the deadline, that you are rejecting the car and treating the contract as at an end. Reporting a fault is not enough. Clear spoken words or conduct can count, but put it in writing and keep a copy so you can prove it. If you have hire purchase, PCP or conditional-sale finance, notify the finance company as well as the dealer. You then make the car available for collection. The refund is due without undue delay, and within 14 days of the seller agreeing you are entitled to it, by the same payment method unless you agree otherwise, with no fee.

Can the dealer insist on repairing it instead?

Not within the first 30 days: you can choose to reject. But if you ask for or agree to a repair or replacement, you normally need to allow a reasonable time for it, unless that would cause you significant inconvenience. The 30-day clock is paused from the day you asked or agreed until you get the car back.

I bought the car on finance. Who do I reject it to?

On hire purchase, conditional sale, and PCP set up as hire purchase, the finance company is the supplier, so notify the finance company as well as the dealer; check your agreement. If you paid any of the price by credit card, the card provider may be jointly liable with the dealer under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, as long as the car's cash price was over £100 and no more than £30,000.

Does this apply to a private sale?

No. The Consumer Rights Act only applies when you buy from a business, and a private seller does not promise satisfactory quality. If you bought by description the car must match it, and the seller must have the right to sell it. A false statement of fact that led you to buy may give you a misrepresentation claim.

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