Key takeaways
- The Consumer Rights Act 2015 governs faulty goods — including cars — bought from a trader since 1 October 2015.
- A car must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. Fail any one and you have a claim.
- Your remedies are a refund (reject), repair, replacement, or a price reduction — depending on how long you’ve owned it.
- Full refund in the first 30 days; one repair then reject up to 6 months; up to 6 years with proof (5 in Scotland).
- It only covers trader sales — private-seller purchases are largely outside it.
On this page
What the Consumer Rights Act 2015 is
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 came into force on 1 October 2015 and is the main law protecting consumers who buy goods, services and digital content from a business. For cars, it replaced the older Sale of Goods Act and, if anything, strengthened your rights — most notably by introducing the clear 30-day right to reject.
It applies whenever you buy a car from a trader — new or used, outright or on finance. This page explains what it entitles you to; for the practical walk-through, see our guide on how to reject a faulty car.
The three standards a car must meet
Under the Act, every car sold by a trader must satisfy three tests. A breach of any one gives you a claim.
Satisfactory quality
The standard a reasonable person would accept, judged on price, description, age and mileage — including safety, durability and freedom from defects.
Satisfactory quality explainedFit for purpose
Fit to be used as a car, and for any particular purpose you made known to the dealer before buying.
What counts as a faultAs described
Matches the advert, listing and salesperson’s claims — mileage, spec, history and condition.
How the Act changed thingsYour four remedies
The Act gives you a ladder of remedies. Which are open to you depends on how long you have owned the car.
Reject for a refund
Return the car and get your money back — full in the first 30 days.
Repair
The dealer fixes the fault at their cost, within a reasonable time.
Replacement
An equivalent car instead of a repair, where one exists.
Price reduction
Keep the car and claim money back to reflect the fault.
The time limits
Timing decides how strong your claim is. In brief: a full refund in the first 30 days; one repair then the final right to reject up to six months; and after six months you can still claim for up to six years (five in Scotland) if you can prove the fault was present at sale. The full breakdown is in our car rejection time limits guide.
Who is covered
The Act only governs sales by a trader to a consumer. Where you bought the car matters.
Bought from a dealer
CoveredFully covered — garages, supermarkets, franchised showrooms and online traders.
Bought privately
Limited / not coveredNot covered. Only “as described” and misrepresentation apply. See your narrower rights. Private-seller rights →
Bought at auction
Limited / not coveredOften excluded, especially trade auctions where terms can limit rights. Check the auction terms.
Cars bought on finance
The Act works alongside the Consumer Credit Act. On PCP or HP the finance company is the supplier and is jointly liable for the car’s quality; if you paid any part by credit card, Section 75 makes the card provider liable too. See our full guide to rejecting a car on finance.
What the Act does not cover
Weighing up your options versus other consumer-help routes? Compare us with Which? and Citizens Advice.
Test your knowledge
Not sure how the Act applies to your situation? Take our quick quiz.
You buy a used car from a dealer and discover a fault 3 weeks later. What are you entitled to?
Frequently asked questions
What does the Consumer Rights Act 2015 say about cars?
It requires any car sold by a trader to be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. If it isn’t, you can reject it for a refund, or seek a repair, replacement or price reduction, subject to time limits.
Does the Consumer Rights Act apply to used cars?
Yes. It applies to used cars bought from a dealer, though the standard of satisfactory quality is judged against the car’s age, mileage and price. It does not apply to private sales.
How long are my rights under the Consumer Rights Act?
You can reject for a full refund within 30 days. Between 30 days and six months you must allow one repair before rejecting, and the fault is presumed to have been present at sale. After six months you can still claim for up to six years (five in Scotland) but must prove the fault was present at purchase.
Does the Consumer Rights Act cover cars bought on finance?
Yes. On PCP or HP the finance company is the supplier and is jointly liable under the Act. If you paid by credit card, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act also makes the card provider jointly liable.
Can I use the Consumer Rights Act against a private seller?
Largely no. The Act only covers purchases from a trader. Buying privately, your protection is limited to the car being “as described” and the law on misrepresentation.
General information about the Consumer Rights Act 2015, not legal advice for your specific situation.