What can I do if a dealer refuses to fix a faulty used car?

Ask the dealer in writing to repair or replace it: a trader must do so within a reasonable time, at its own cost. If it refuses or fails once, you can seek a price reduction or reject the car.

Last reviewed 6 October 2026. The official sources it draws on, and the date each was read, are listed at the foot of the page.

What you can require once the short-term right to reject has passed

If the car does not match the quality, fitness and description terms of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have a right to repair or replacement (section 23). The trader must do it within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience to you, and must bear the necessary costs, including labour, materials and postage. You cannot require a remedy that is impossible, or disproportionate compared with the other one.

If you require or agree to a repair, you must give the trader a reasonable time to carry it out before you ask for a replacement or use the short-term right to reject, unless that would cause you significant inconvenience.

When you can ask for a price reduction or reject

Under section 24 you can ask for a price reduction or exercise the final right to reject, but not both, in one of three situations: after one repair or one replacement the car still does not conform; neither repair nor replacement can be required; or the trader has not done what you required within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience. nidirect puts it simply: you do not have to give the trader lots of chances.

For the repair, replacement, price-reduction and final-rejection routes, a fault that shows up within six months of delivery is taken to have been there on delivery, unless the dealer shows otherwise or the presumption does not fit the fault (section 19(14) and (15)). After six months you must show the fault was there at delivery, and nidirect says an underlying or hidden fault is enough.

Rejecting a car: the deduction for use

If you use the final right to reject, the refund can be reduced by a deduction for the use you have had. For most goods no deduction may be made in the first six months, but section 24(10) carves out motor vehicles, so a dealer can make one on a car even inside that period. The carve-out does not cover a vehicle built or adapted for use by one disabled person at a time (section 24(13)).

How to ask, and what to keep

nidirect advises speaking to the trader first, then putting your complaint in writing, referring to the Consumer Rights Act, keeping a copy and sending it by recorded delivery. If you get no reply after a reasonable time, for example within 14 days, write again.

An independent garage report can show the fault. nidirect says that where a refund is due you can also claim reasonable losses, including the cost of an independent report you paid for. Do not have the car repaired elsewhere before the dealer has had the chance to do it, or a court may find that unreasonable.

If the dealer still refuses

GOV.UK names Citizens Advice in England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland and Consumerline in Northern Ireland as the places to get advice, and they can refer a complaint to Trading Standards. An ombudsman may also be able to help: nidirect mentions the trade association a garage belongs to, and the Motor Ombudsman for cars still under a manufacturer’s warranty.

The last step is a court claim, and the process differs in each part of the UK. GOV.UK sets out the process for England and Wales, where, for a claim of £10,000 or less that the defendant disputes, you will be told you must attend mediation, which the court organises, and says Scotland and Northern Ireland have different processes. nidirect says that in Northern Ireland you can take a case to the Small Claims Court if the amount is not more than £5,000.

If the car is on finance

On hire purchase, PCP or a conditional sale the claim is against the finance company, not the dealer: see our answer on who is responsible for a faulty car bought on finance.

Sources

Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 23 (right to repair or replacement)Read on 6 October 2026. The trader must repair or replace within a reasonable time, without significant inconvenience and at its own cost; the limits; the reasonable time to repair first.
Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 24 (right to price reduction or final right to reject)Read on 6 October 2026. The three situations in which a price reduction or the final right to reject arises; the deduction for use and the motor-vehicle exception.
Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 19 (consumer’s rights to enforce terms about goods)Read on 6 October 2026. The ladder of remedies and the six-month presumption in subsections (14) and (15).
nidirect: Buying goods and servicesRead on 6 October 2026. One failed repair or replacement is enough; goods older than six months need proof of an underlying fault; trader must be given the chance to put things right.
nidirect: Buying a new or used carRead on 6 October 2026. Complaining to the seller first, the Motor Ombudsman and trade associations, an independent garage report, claiming its cost, and the Small Claims Court limit in Northern Ireland.
nidirect: How to complain to a business or traderRead on 6 October 2026. Speak to the trader, then write, quoting the Consumer Rights Act, by recorded delivery; write again if there is no reply after a reasonable time, for example 14 days.
GOV.UK: Consumer rightsRead on 6 October 2026. Citizens Advice, Advice Direct Scotland and Consumerline can advise and refer a complaint to Trading Standards; ombudsmen are listed by the Ombudsman Association.
GOV.UK: Make a court claim for moneyRead on 6 October 2026. The England and Wales process, mediation for a disputed claim of £10,000 or less, and that Scotland and Northern Ireland have different processes.

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