You've bought a car with air conditioning listed as a feature – but it's not working. Is this grounds for rejection? The answer is usually yes, especially if the dealer didn't disclose the problem.
What Counts as "Not Working"?
Definitely Faulty
No cold air at all (system completely non-functional), warm air only (compressor not engaging), brief cooling then warm (low refrigerant or a leak), strange noises (compressor or bearing failure), and an AC button that doesn't engage (electrical fault) are all clear defects.
Potentially Faulty
Not as cold as expected could indicate a minor regas issue or a more serious leak. Intermittent operation is likely an electrical or compressor problem. A musty smell from vents could be simple bacterial buildup (fixable) or mould from a water ingress problem (serious).
Not Usually Faulty
If the AC works normally but you expected it to be colder, that's a difference in expectation – AC performance varies by car. Taking a few minutes to cool down after starting is also completely normal.
Your Consumer Rights
The Car Must Match Its Description
Under Section 11 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the car must match its description. If the car was listed as having "air conditioning" or "climate control," described as "full spec" or similar, or presented with AC as a feature, then the AC must work.
Satisfactory Quality
Even without explicit description, if the car is a model that typically has AC, a non-working system may fail the satisfactory quality test – especially on a relatively new or expensive car.
Dealer's Duty to Disclose
Professional dealers should check all major systems before selling, disclose known faults, and not claim features exist that don't work. A dealer who sells a car with "air conditioning" knowing it doesn't work has made a misrepresentation.
The Regas Question
Dealers often say "it just needs a regas" (refrigerant refill). Be cautious:
When Regas Is the Issue
Sometimes the system is simply low on gas, which can happen naturally over years. If no leaks are found and full cooling is restored after a regas (typically £50–100), this is a straightforward fix.
When It's More Serious
If the system won't hold gas because a leak is present, the compressor isn't engaging, there are unusual noises, or electrical faults are preventing operation, you're looking at a more significant repair. Costs range from around £200 for a minor leak to £1,500 or more for a compressor replacement.
Who Should Pay?
If the car was sold with AC listed as a feature, the dealer should fix it at no cost to you. You shouldn't have to pay for a regas to make a "working" feature actually work, and if there's a more serious underlying fault, the dealer is clearly responsible.
Think you might have a claim?
Check if you're entitled to a refund under the Consumer Rights Act. Free, takes 2 minutes.
Building Your Case
Check the Listing
Did the original advert mention air conditioning? Look for a screenshot of the listing, a print-out of the spec, or any paperwork mentioning AC or climate control.
Document the Fault
Note that the AC blows warm air, check whether the AC light or button engages, listen for the compressor clicking on, and record the outside temperature versus vent temperature. Video evidence is particularly helpful here.
Get It Diagnosed
Have a garage or AC specialist confirm that the system is not working correctly, identify the likely cause, and provide an estimated repair cost in writing.
What to Write to the Dealer
To: [Dealer]
Re: Non-Functional Air Conditioning – [Registration]
Dear Sir/Madam,
On [date], I purchased [vehicle make/model] from you for £[price]. The vehicle was described as having air conditioning [reference the listing/spec if possible].
I have discovered the air conditioning system does not function – it blows warm air only and the compressor does not appear to engage. [Adjust based on actual symptoms]
This is a breach of:
-
Section 11 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 – The vehicle does not match its description. It was sold as having air conditioning, but this feature does not work.
-
Section 9 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 – The vehicle is not of satisfactory quality. A car with a non-functional major system is not satisfactory.
[If within 30 days]: I am within 30 days of purchase and am entitled to reject this vehicle for a full refund under Section 22 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Please confirm arrangements within 14 days.
[After 30 days]: Please arrange repair of this fault within 14 days at no cost to me. If you are unable to repair it satisfactorily, I will exercise my right to reject the vehicle.
Yours faithfully, [Your name]
Dealer Responses
"AC isn't covered – it's not safety critical"
Consumer rights don't only cover safety features. Any system that was described or reasonably expected must work. The car must be of satisfactory quality overall.
"We'll regas it for £80"
No – if the car was sold with AC listed as working, you shouldn't pay to fix it. If a regas solves the problem, the dealer should cover it.
"It's an old car, AC systems need maintenance"
But they should work when you buy the car. If maintenance was needed, the dealer should have done it before selling or disclosed the issue.
"You should have tested it before buying"
Dealers can't hide behind "buyer beware" for faults they should have checked. This excuse doesn't remove your rights.
Can You Reject Just for AC?
Strong Case for Rejection
You have a strong case if AC was specifically mentioned as a selling point, the car is relatively new or expensive, the repair cost is significant (such as compressor failure), or you're within the 30-day rejection window.
Weaker Case
Your case is weaker if AC wasn't specifically mentioned and the car is very old or cheap, if it just needs a minor regas, or if it's one of many small issues – though in that last case, consider whether the faults collectively make the car unsatisfactory.
The "Cumulative Effect"
If the car has multiple minor faults (AC plus a few other issues), together they may make the car unsatisfactory even if each alone wouldn't.
Heating System Issues
The same principles apply to heating. A heater blowing cold could indicate heater matrix, thermostat, or coolant system issues. Climate control not working may point to blend doors, sensors, or the control unit. No defrost capability is particularly serious as it's a safety issue and MOT-relevant. Heating problems may actually be more concerning than AC issues because they often indicate underlying coolant system problems.
Finance Protection
If you used PCP, HP, or credit card, contact the finance company as well as the dealer. They're jointly liable for the car matching its description and are often more responsive than reluctant dealers.
Recommended reading
Seasonal Considerations
Bought in Winter, Tested in Summer
Many people discover AC doesn't work months after buying when the weather warms up. This doesn't weaken your claim – the fault existed at purchase.
However, the 30-day rejection right runs from purchase, not discovery. The good news is that the 6-month presumption still helps you, and you can still reject if the dealer's repair attempt fails.
The Bottom Line
If air conditioning was listed as a feature, it must work – that's part of the car's description under the Consumer Rights Act. Even a "simple" regas should be the dealer's cost, not yours, because you bought a car with a working feature that turned out not to work. More serious AC faults like compressor failure can absolutely justify rejection, especially on newer or more expensive cars. Document the original listing to prove AC was promised, act quickly if you're within 30 days (you can reject outright without accepting a repair), and use Section 75 if you bought on finance for additional protection.
Air conditioning not working on your recently purchased car? Check if you qualify for our rejection service – we'll help you get it resolved.
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