"It's got 100,000 miles on it – what do you expect?"
That's what dealers say when you try to reject a high-mileage car. But high mileage doesn't mean no rights. Here's the truth.
The Law Still Applies
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies to ALL cars sold by traders, regardless of mileage. A car must be:
- Of satisfactory quality
- Fit for purpose
- As described
High mileage adjusts what "satisfactory" means – it doesn't remove the requirement entirely.
What "Satisfactory Quality" Means for High Mileage
A reasonable person would expect a high-mileage car to have more wear than a low-mileage one. But they'd still expect:
Basic Functionality
The car should:
- Start reliably
- Run properly
- Stop safely
- Steer correctly
- Not have major warning lights
Reasonable Durability
Even high-mileage cars should:
- Not break down immediately after purchase
- Last for a reasonable period
- Not have imminent catastrophic failures
Honest Description
The car must be:
- Accurately described
- Not hiding undisclosed issues
- Mileage verified (not clocked)
What's Acceptable vs Unacceptable
Acceptable on High-Mileage Cars
- Worn brake pads (if disclosed or obvious)
- Tired tyres (if within legal limits)
- Interior wear matching the mileage
- Minor cosmetic issues
- Components approaching service intervals
- Slightly higher oil consumption
Still Unacceptable
- Engine failure
- Gearbox failure
- Major electrical faults
- Safety system failures
- Undisclosed accident damage
- Clocked mileage
- Warning lights indicating serious issues
The Key Question
Ask yourself: Would a reasonable buyer, knowing the mileage, still expect this problem?
A 120,000-mile car might have worn seats. A reasonable buyer expects that.
A 120,000-mile car shouldn't have an engine that seizes after 3 weeks. No reasonable buyer expects that.
Real Examples
✅ Can Reject: Engine Failure at 95,000 Miles
A Ford Focus with 95,000 miles has its engine fail 4 weeks after purchase. The dealer says "what do you expect at that mileage?"
Why you can reject: Engines should last 150,000+ miles with normal maintenance. Failure at 95,000 miles suggests a pre-existing problem, not normal wear.
✅ Can Reject: Undisclosed Accident Damage
A BMW 3 Series with 110,000 miles turns out to have been in a major accident. This wasn't disclosed.
Why you can reject: Not as described. Mileage is irrelevant – the seller lied about the car's history.
✅ Can Reject: Gearbox Warning at 80,000 Miles
An Audi A4 with 80,000 miles shows gearbox warning light within 2 weeks. Dealer says it's wear.
Why you can reject: DSG gearboxes should last longer. Warning light indicates a fault, not normal wear.
❌ Probably Can't Reject: Worn Brakes at 85,000 Miles
A Vauxhall Astra with 85,000 miles needs new brake pads after 1 month of ownership.
Why not: Brake pads are wear items. At this mileage, they could legitimately need replacement soon. Unless it was specifically advertised as "brakes just done."
❌ Probably Can't Reject: Tired Suspension at 130,000 Miles
A VW Golf with 130,000 miles has slightly soft suspension.
Why not: Suspension bushes and dampers wear over time. Some softness at this mileage is normal, unless it's dangerous.
Price as a Factor
The price you paid matters too.
Low Price + High Mileage
If you paid £2,500 for a 120,000-mile car, expectations are adjusted downward. But the car must still:
- Work
- Be safe
- Be as described
Higher Price + High Mileage
If you paid £8,000 for a 100,000-mile car, you'd expect it to be in better condition than a £3,000 car. The seller charged more, so they're implying higher quality.
Common Dealer Arguments (Debunked)
"It's got 100k miles, you can't expect it to be perfect"
Response: I don't expect perfect. I expect it to work. An engine that fails isn't normal at any mileage.
"That's just wear and tear"
Response: Wear and tear is gradual. My engine/gearbox/component failing catastrophically isn't wear – it's a fault.
"You should have had it inspected"
Response: Your legal duty is to sell satisfactory goods. My job isn't to detect your hidden faults.
"It was priced accordingly"
Response: A low price doesn't entitle you to sell me a faulty car. You should have disclosed the faults that justified the low price.
"We sold it 'as seen'"
Response: "As seen" has no legal meaning for trader sales. My statutory rights can't be excluded.
Building Your Case
Evidence That Helps
- Service history showing proper maintenance
- MOT history showing consistent mileage progression
- Independent inspection confirming fault pre-existed
- Manufacturer data showing expected component lifespan
- Technical bulletins showing known issues
Arguments That Work
- "The component failed prematurely for its mileage"
- "This fault couldn't have developed in [X] weeks of normal driving"
- "The failure indicates a pre-existing condition"
- "Similar age/mileage cars don't have this problem"
The Inspection Route
For high-mileage cars, an independent inspection is particularly valuable:
What an Inspector Can Determine
- Whether the fault existed at sale
- Whether the failure is premature for the mileage
- What a car of this age/mileage should be capable of
- Whether maintenance history supports the mileage
Cost vs Benefit
An inspection costs £150-300. For a car worth £3,000-10,000, it's worth it to support your claim.
Your Rights by Timeframe
Within 30 Days
Same as any car – reject outright for a full refund. High mileage doesn't change this.
31 Days to 6 Months
Request repair. If it fails, reject. The dealer must prove the fault wasn't present at sale – mileage alone doesn't prove that.
After 6 Months
You need to prove the fault existed at sale. An inspection showing premature failure or pre-existing damage supports your case.
Strategic Considerations
Act Quickly
The sooner you report, the harder it is for the dealer to blame subsequent use.
Don't Accept "It's the Mileage"
Make them explain specifically why mileage caused THIS fault to appear NOW.
Get Technical
Find out what the expected lifespan of the failed component is. If it failed early, that's your argument.
Document Driving
Keep records showing normal use. This counters any claim you drove it hard.
The Bottom Line
High mileage lowers expectations but doesn't eliminate your rights.
A car with 100,000+ miles should still:
- Start
- Run
- Stop
- Be safe
- Last a reasonable time
- Be honestly described
Dealers use high mileage as an excuse to avoid responsibility. Don't let them. The law applies regardless of the odometer reading.
Got a high-mileage car that's let you down? Check if you can reject it – mileage isn't the barrier dealers claim.
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