Cars – your rights if things go wrong
If you buy a used car from a dealer, you are protected under consumer law. However, if you buy from a private individual, you do not have the same rights because the person selling the car is not selling it as part of their business.
Buying from a dealer
When you buy a car from a dealer, you have the same rights as when you buy any other product from a business. Read more about your rights when you buy goods, and your rights when you buy second-hand goods.
What to do if something goes wrong
If you have a problem after you buy a car, consumer law sets out the steps a business must take to resolve your issue. Remember that these rights will not apply if the issue was pointed out to you before you bought the car.
If you think the car has been clocked, you should contact us immediately. You can read our car crime consumer guide for more information on what to expect if you make a complaint about car crime to us.
If you have a problem, how you paid for your car will determine the next steps.
I paid with cash or a personal loan
The dealer organised finance (Hire Purchase or PCP)
Buying privately
You do not have the same consumer rights if you buy a car from another consumer. Because of this you should be very careful when buying from a private seller; you really need to be aware of what you’re buying, or get an expert to check it out before you buy. If something goes wrong after you buy from another individual there may be little you can do beyond taking a civil case through the courts.
If you think the car has been clocked, you should contact us immediately. You can read our car crime consumer guide for more information on what to expect if you make a complaint about car crime to us.
Disguised traders
A disguised trader is a business who acts as though they are a private seller, even though they are selling as part of their business. They may do this by selling cars through online platforms and marking the ads as private sales. Disguised trading is illegal. If you think you have come across a disguised car dealer, you should contact us immediately. You can read our car crime consumer guide for more information on what to expect if you make a complaint about car crime to us.
