Key takeaways
- You have 30 days from delivery (not purchase) to reject for a full refund with no deductions — and the dealer cannot insist on repairing it first
- From day 31 to 6 months the dealer gets one repair attempt; if it fails, you can reject — and the burden of proving the fault wasn't there sits with them
- After 6 months you still have rights for up to 6 years, but you'll need evidence the fault was present or developing at purchase
"Am I too late to reject?" It's one of the most common questions we hear. The time limits under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 can seem complicated, but they're actually quite logical once you understand them. Timing is just one part of the picture — see our full guide on how to reject a faulty car for the complete process.
The Three Time Periods
Days 1-30: The "Short-Term Right to Reject"
This is your golden window.
During this window you can reject the car for any fault that makes it unsatisfactory and get a full refund with no deductions for use. The dealer cannot insist on repairing it first – the choice between accepting a repair or rejecting outright is entirely yours. These deadlines apply whether the car was new or used – though if you're rejecting a brand-new car, the "satisfactory quality" bar is set much higher in your favour.
This covers any defect present at delivery, anything making the car not of satisfactory quality, anything making it unfit for purpose, and anything meaning it's not as described – whether it's a car that broke down on the way home or a fault that only appeared on day 25. The 30 days runs from delivery, not the purchase date. The dealer cannot insist on repairing the car first – and if you do agree to a repair, the clock pauses while they have the car and restarts (with at least 7 days left) when it's returned, so a failed fix still leaves you time to reject. You must tell the dealer you're rejecting in writing, and they then have 14 days to refund you. If they won't collect the car, you have options.
Days 31-180: The "Repair or Replace" Period
Still strong rights, but the process changes.
You can request a repair or replacement (your initial choice), and if the repair fails, you can then reject and claim a refund – though it may have a small deduction for use. Crucially, the burden of proof is still on the dealer during this period: they must prove the fault wasn't present at sale.
The process is straightforward – report the fault to the dealer, request repair or replacement, and give them one reasonable chance to fix it. If the repair fails or they refuse, you can reject. "One chance" means one proper attempt, not multiple goes at the same problem. If the same fault recurs, the repair has failed. If new faults appear, they're treated as separate issues.
6 Months to 6 Years: Long-Term Rights
You still have rights, but you need to prove more.
You can request repair, replacement, or a partial refund, and if the repair or replacement fails, you can reject – though the refund will likely include a deduction for use.
The catch is that you must now prove the fault existed at the point of sale. This usually requires an independent inspection, and the dealer can argue the problem developed after purchase. What helps is evidence of known issues with that model, technical service bulletins, expert inspection reports, and any documentation showing how the fault developed over time.
When Does the Clock Start?
Delivery Date, Not Purchase Date
The 30 days begins when you take physical delivery of the car, not when you pay or sign papers.
For example, if you pay a deposit on 1st March, sign finance documents on 5th March, and the car is delivered on 10th March, your 30-day window runs until 9th April – counted from delivery, not from when you paid or signed.
What If Delivery Is Delayed?
If the dealer holds the car for prep work, the clock doesn't start until you actually receive it.
Collection vs Delivery
Whether you collect or they deliver, the clock starts when you take possession.
What Pauses or Extends the Time?
Time for Diagnosis
If the car is with the dealer being diagnosed, some argue this pauses the clock. It's not settled law, but document when you handed it over, note when you got it back, and argue that the 30 days should reflect the time you actually had the car.
Attempted Repairs
Agreeing to a repair within the first 30 days does not cost you the short-term right to reject – a persistent myth, sometimes repeated by dealers. Under section 22 of the Act, the 30-day clock stops while the car is with the dealer for repair, and once it's returned you get whatever time was left, or 7 days, whichever is longer. If the fix fails, you can still reject for a full refund. The practical precaution: confirm in writing that you're agreeing to the repair within your short-term right to reject, so there's no argument later about what you accepted.
Disputes and Negotiation
Ongoing discussions don't pause the clock. If you're negotiating while the 30 days tick by, you may lose your strongest position.
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Calculating Your Deadline
The 30-Day Deadline
Delivery date: The day you take possession (day 1) Last day to reject: 30 days later
Example: Delivery on 15th January = deadline 14th February
Act immediately when you discover a fault and put your rejection in writing as soon as possible – email creates an instant timestamp. Don't wait to see if the problem gets worse; you can always accept a repair later, but you can't recover the right to reject once it's gone.
What If You're Close to a Deadline?
Near Day 30
If you're approaching day 30, send a rejection email immediately – state the fault clearly, reference the Consumer Rights Act 2015, request a full refund, and follow up with a posted letter. Even if you send it on day 29, you've exercised your right in time.
If you're approaching 6 months, report the fault in writing now and request a repair under the Consumer Rights Act. The clock effectively resets for the repair attempt, buying you additional time. Document everything carefully.
Rejecting a Car After 6 Months
Plenty of buyers assume six months is a hard cut-off. It isn't — it's the point where the burden of proof changes hands, and your tactics need to change with it.
What Actually Changes at Six Months
Within the first six months, the law presumes any fault you report was present at delivery, and the dealer has to prove otherwise. From six months on, that presumption expires: it becomes your job to show the fault — or its underlying cause — was there when you bought the car. Your rights themselves continue for up to six years in England and Wales (five in Scotland). What changes is the evidence required, not whether you can claim.
The Steps That Still Work
- Report the fault in writing immediately. Every week of delay is a week the dealer will use to argue the fault developed on your watch.
- Request a repair. The dealer still gets one chance to fix it — and a fault they've attempted to repair is a fault they'll struggle to deny knowing about.
- Build your evidence. An independent inspection is usually the deciding factor now, backed by technical service bulletins, recalls and known issues for your model, and a service history showing the problem was present or developing at purchase.
- Reject if the repair fails. The final right to reject still applies — expect a deduction for the use you've had, which must be proportionate, not punitive.
After 6 Months on Finance (HP or PCP)
If you bought the car on HP or PCP, six months matters less than you'd think. Your claim is against the finance company — in law, they supplied the car — so you can put the complaint to them directly rather than fighting the dealer alone. If they reject it or let eight weeks pass without a final response, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman free of charge, within six months of their final response. That route is decided on paperwork and fairness rather than courtroom procedure, with no costs risk — which is exactly what you want when the burden of proof has shifted to you. See our full guides to rejecting a car on PCP or HP finance.
Common Timing Mistakes
Waiting Too Long to Complain
Too many people hope the problem goes away, keep driving despite issues, wait for it to get worse, and miss the 30-day window entirely. Act fast – you can always accept a repair later, but you can't recover the right to reject.
Accepting a Repair Within 30 Days
Dealers often say "let us look at it" or "we'll fix it for you." Within 30 days you don't have to accept this – rejection is your call, not theirs. If you do let them attempt a fix, put it in writing that you're reserving your short-term right to reject: the clock pauses while the car is in their workshop, and it doesn't run out just because they've had it on the ramp for a fortnight.
Not Putting It in Writing
Verbal complaints don't prove timing. Always email your rejection, keep sent messages, use recorded delivery for posted letters, and screenshot everything. A paper trail is essential if the dispute escalates to the Financial Ombudsman or small claims court.
Assuming You're Out of Time
People often think they've missed the window when they haven't. Even after 30 days or 6 months, you still have rights – they just work differently.
Quick Reference Table
| Time Period | What You Can Do | Burden of Proof | Refund |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-30 days | Reject outright | Dealer | Full |
| 31-180 days | Repair/replace, then reject | Dealer | May deduct for use |
| 6 months-6 years | Repair/replace, then reject | You | Will deduct for use |
Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Fault on Day 7
You notice an engine warning light a week after delivery. Action: Reject immediately for full refund. Do NOT accept repair.
Scenario 2: Car breaks down on the way home
The car fails before you even get it home from the dealer. Action: Reject immediately. This is as clear-cut as it gets.
Scenario 3: Fault on Day 45
Gearbox starts making noise 6 weeks in. Action: Request repair in writing. If it fails, reject. Small deduction possible.
Scenario 4: Fault on Month 8
Suspension fails 8 months after purchase. Action: Get independent inspection proving fault existed at sale. Request repair, then reject if it fails.
Special Situations
Rejecting a High-Mileage Car
Higher mileage doesn't remove your rights – faults are still faults if they're beyond what's reasonable for the car.
Rejecting an Ex-Demo Car
Ex-demo cars must still meet satisfactory quality standards. Previous use doesn't excuse defects.
Rejecting for Minor Faults
Not sure if your problem is "serious enough"? The law doesn't distinguish – any fault affecting quality can be grounds for rejection.
Already Paid for Repairs Elsewhere?
If you've paid to fix the car yourself, you may still be able to claim costs back.
The Bottom Line
Time matters, but it's not as restrictive as dealers want you to think. Within 30 days, act fast and reject outright – don't accept repairs that could cost you your strongest right. Within 6 months, you're still in a strong position: allow one repair attempt, and if it fails, reject. After 6 months, your rights continue but you'll need evidence that the fault was present at sale. Whatever stage you're at, the key is acting promptly and putting everything in writing. Comparing the services that can help you reject in time? See how we stack up against Reject My Car.
Not sure where you stand on timing? Check your car – free, and we'll tell you what rights you have right now.
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