Do I have more rights buying from a dealer than privately?
Yes. A dealer must supply a car of satisfactory quality and as described, and cannot exclude that. A private seller must have the right to sell it and describe it correctly, with no implied duty on quality.
Last reviewed . The official sources it draws on, and the date each was read, are listed at the foot of the page.
Side by side
| Protection | From a dealer (a trader) | From a private seller |
|---|---|---|
| Satisfactory quality | Implied by section 9 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 | No implied term (Sale of Goods Act 1979, section 14) |
| As described | Section 11 of the Consumer Rights Act | Section 13 of the Sale of Goods Act |
| Right to sell, no undisclosed charges | Section 17 of the Consumer Rights Act | Section 12 of the Sale of Goods Act |
| Short-term right to reject within 30 days | Yes (section 22 of the Consumer Rights Act) | No: the Consumer Rights Act does not apply to a private sale (see our answer on buying privately for what the Sale of Goods Act gives) |
| Can a seller’s term take it away? | Not to the extent it restricts these rights (section 31) | Not the title duty; the description duty to the extent the term is reasonable (Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, section 6) |
| Offence of selling an unroadworthy car | Yes (Road Traffic Act 1988, section 75; in Northern Ireland, article 83 of the 1995 Order) | Yes, the same offence |
Why the difference
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives these rights where a trader supplies goods to a consumer. A trader is a person acting for purposes relating to their trade, business, craft or profession, and a consumer is an individual acting for purposes wholly or mainly outside theirs (section 2). A sale between two private individuals is neither, which fits nidirect’s statement that you have fewer legal rights from a private seller.
The table’s reference to the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 is for England, Wales and Northern Ireland; in Scotland section 20 of that Act makes a term excluding the title duty void and gives effect to one excluding the description duty if it was fair and reasonable to include it.
What stays the same
The offence of selling an unroadworthy vehicle applies to everyone who sells, so an unroadworthy car is unlawful to sell privately as well as through a dealer. nidirect advises checking the car’s history before you buy and, when buying privately, inspecting the car and bringing a mechanic.
Sources
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 2 (key definitions)Read on 6 October 2026. The definitions of trader and consumer.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 9 (goods to be of satisfactory quality)Read on 6 October 2026. The satisfactory-quality term in a trader’s contract.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 11 (goods to be as described)Read on 6 October 2026. The as-described term in a trader’s contract.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 17 (trader to have right to supply the goods)Read on 6 October 2026. The right-to-sell term and the term that goods are free from undisclosed charges.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 22 (time limit for short-term right to reject)Read on 6 October 2026. The 30-day short-term right to reject.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 31 (liability that cannot be excluded or restricted)Read on 6 October 2026. A term restricting these rights is not binding on the consumer.
- Sale of Goods Act 1979, section 12 (implied terms about title)Read on 6 October 2026. A seller’s implied terms about the right to sell and undisclosed charges.
- Sale of Goods Act 1979, section 13 (sale by description)Read on 6 October 2026. Goods sold by description must correspond with the description.
- Sale of Goods Act 1979, section 14 (implied terms about quality or fitness)Read on 6 October 2026. No implied quality term except where the seller sells in the course of a business.
- Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, section 6 (sale and hire purchase)Read on 6 October 2026. The title duty cannot be excluded; the description duty to the extent the term is reasonable; England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, section 20 (obligations implied by law in sale and hire-purchase contracts)Read on 6 October 2026. The Scottish equivalent.
- Road Traffic Act 1988, section 75 (vehicles not to be sold in unroadworthy condition)Read on 6 October 2026. The offence of selling an unroadworthy vehicle in Great Britain.
- Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, article 83Read on 6 October 2026. The same offence in Northern Ireland.
- nidirect: Buying a new or used carRead on 6 October 2026. Fewer legal rights from a private seller; inspect, bring a mechanic and check the history.
Related
More answers
- What can I do if a dealer refuses to fix a faulty used car?
- Who is responsible for a faulty car bought on finance?
- Is it illegal to sell a car that is not roadworthy?
- What can I do if a used car is not as described?
- How long do I have to reject a faulty used car?
- What is a car insurance group?
- What happens if I miss a car finance payment?
- Can I drive a car home after buying it without insurance?
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