When your new car turns out to be faulty, writing the right rejection letter can mean the difference between a quick refund and months of back-and-forth. Here's how to get it right first time.
Why Your Rejection Letter Matters
A rejection letter isn't just a formality – it's a legal document that creates a paper trail usable in court, puts the dealer on notice of their legal obligations, starts the clock on the 14-day refund period, and shows you know your rights. Dealers are far less likely to mess you around when they can see you understand the Consumer Rights Act. Many hope you'll just accept a repair or give up entirely. A well-written letter shows them you mean business.
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What to Include in Your Rejection Letter
1. Your Details
Start with your full name, address, and contact details. Include the date prominently.
2. The Car Details
Be specific about the vehicle – include the registration number, make and model, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), date of purchase, mileage at purchase, and purchase price. Leaving any of these out gives the dealer room to claim confusion about which vehicle or transaction you're referring to.
3. The Fault Description
Describe what's wrong clearly and factually. Cover what the problem is, when you first noticed it, how it affects the car's use, and any warning lights or error codes. Stick to facts rather than opinions – "the engine warning light illuminated on day 3 and the car went into limp mode" is stronger than "the car is rubbish."
4. The Legal Basis
Reference the Consumer Rights Act 2015 specifically. State that the car is not of satisfactory quality, not fit for purpose, or not as described (whichever applies).
5. Your Demand
Be clear that you're exercising your right to reject and requesting a full refund within 14 days.
Sample Rejection Letter Template
Here's a template you can adapt:
[Your Name] [Your Address] [Date]
[Dealer Name] [Dealer Address]
RE: Rejection of Vehicle Under Consumer Rights Act 2015 Registration: [REG NUMBER]
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to formally reject the above vehicle, which I purchased from your dealership on [DATE] for [PRICE].
Since taking delivery, I have discovered that the vehicle has the following fault(s):
[DESCRIBE FAULT IN DETAIL]
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods sold by a trader must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. This vehicle fails to meet these standards due to the fault(s) described above.
As the fault was present within 30 days of delivery, I am exercising my statutory right to reject the vehicle and request a full refund of [AMOUNT].
Please confirm within 7 days how you intend to collect the vehicle and process my refund. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, refunds must be processed within 14 days of the trader taking back the goods.
I trust this matter can be resolved promptly. Should you fail to comply with my statutory rights, I will have no option but to pursue this matter through the courts and report the matter to Trading Standards.
Yours faithfully,
[YOUR NAME]
Pro Tips for Maximum Impact
Send it properly – email and post, using recorded delivery for the posted copy. Keep copies of everything. Timing matters – send the letter as soon as possible within the 30-day window, and if you're close to day 30, email first and follow up with post.
Don't accept delays. Dealers may ask to "have a look at it first" or promise to repair it – within 30 days, you don't have to agree. The short-term right to reject means exactly that. Be professional throughout – stick to facts rather than emotions, don't make threats you can't back up, but do mention Trading Standards and court proceedings as potential next steps if they don't cooperate.
What Happens Next?
After sending your letter, give the dealer 7-14 days to respond. In the meantime, keep the car safe but don't drive it unnecessarily, document everything with photos, messages, and call notes, and refuse any repairs within the 30-day period. If they accept, they should arrange collection and process your refund. If they accept but then stall on actually collecting, see our guide on dealer won't collect the car. If they refuse or ignore you entirely, that's when you escalate – see our guide on what to do when a dealer ignores your rejection.
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When to Get Help
If the dealer is being difficult, you might need a formal letter from a specialist – this often changes their tune. If you bought on finance, contacting your finance company can be powerful since they're jointly liable under Section 75. And if it comes to it, court proceedings are a realistic option for most car disputes. The key is not to give up. Dealers rely on people losing patience and accepting less than they're entitled to.
Struggling to get your dealer to respond? Check if we can help – our team has recovered millions for people with faulty cars.
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