Buying a car from a dealership should give you more confidence than buying privately. But what happens when you drive away and soon discover serious problems?
Perhaps the engine warning light appears. The gearbox starts failing. Or the car develops an electrical problem that was not clear when you bought it.
If a Birmingham dealership sells you a faulty vehicle, you may have legal rights. The situation can become more complicated when the vehicle was bought using finance, but rejecting a car on finance may still be possible.
Your Rights When a Car Is Faulty
When you buy a car from a dealership in the UK, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 generally requires the vehicle to be:
- Of satisfactory quality
- Fit for its intended purpose
- As described by the seller
What counts as “satisfactory” depends on factors such as the car’s age, price, mileage, and condition.
You cannot expect an older used car to be perfect. Normal wear and tear is also different from a serious fault. However, a major mechanical problem appearing soon after purchase may give you grounds to take action.
What If the Fault Appears Within 30 Days?
The first 30 days after buying the vehicle can be especially important.
If the car does not meet the required standards, you may have a short-term right to reject it and request a refund.
Do not simply return the keys and assume the matter is finished. Contact the dealership in writing and explain the fault clearly. Keep copies of emails, inspection reports, photographs, warning messages, repair estimates, and other evidence.
Acting quickly can make your position much clearer.
How Does Rejecting a Car on Finance Work?
Many vehicles are purchased through hire purchase (HP), personal contract purchase (PCP), or another finance agreement.
In these cases, rejecting a car on finance can involve both the dealership and the finance provider.
The finance company may legally own the vehicle during the agreement. This means you should normally notify the finance provider about the problem rather than dealing only with the Birmingham dealership.
Explain when you purchased the vehicle, when the fault appeared, what has gone wrong, and what the dealership has already done.
Most importantly, do not simply stop making finance payments because the car is faulty. Missing payments could create separate problems with your agreement and credit record. Follow the formal complaint and rejection process instead.
What Happens After the First 30 Days?
Finding a fault after 30 days does not automatically mean you have lost your rights.
If the problem appears within the first six months, the dealer will generally get an opportunity to repair or replace the vehicle.
If a repair does not solve the problem, takes an unreasonable amount of time, or the vehicle remains faulty, you may have further rights. Depending on the circumstances, these could include a price reduction or final rejection.
The exact outcome will depend on the vehicle, fault, finance agreement, and steps already taken.
What Evidence Should You Keep?
Good records can make a major difference.
Save the original advert, sales invoice, finance agreement, warranty documents, service history, and all communication with the dealership.
If possible, get the fault professionally diagnosed. An independent inspection can help show what is wrong and whether the problem is serious.
Avoid authorising expensive repairs without first speaking to the dealership or finance company, as this could make the dispute harder to resolve.
Do Not Let a Faulty Car Become Your Problem
A dealership cannot automatically avoid responsibility just because a vehicle is used or purchased on finance.
If you believe a Birmingham dealership has sold you a faulty vehicle, report the issue promptly and document everything. When rejecting a car on finance, make sure both the dealer and relevant finance provider understand exactly what has happened.
The sooner you act, the easier it may be to protect your consumer rights and reach a fair solution.