Trading Standards Car Sales & Repairs

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Advice about Trading Standards and Car Sales

Trading standards officers are responsible for investigating & prosecuting a wide range of consumer protection regulations including advertising, displaying and selling unroadworthy used cars by car traders and used motor vehicle retailers, building work, builders and home improvements.

Their powers allow them to enter premises, seize vehicles, make test purchases, carry out covert investigations and of course take businesses to court for trading standards and unfair commercial practices.

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What are trading standards for car sales?

In short, the standards expected from car sellers in terms of vehicle quality, description and fitness for purpose , as well as their practices and behaviour. They also mean that remedies should be in place for instances in which these car trading standards are not met. 

Trading standards officers are responsible for a wide range of consumer protection regulations, and can investigate and prosecute in relation to them. This jurisdiction includes advertising cars, displaying and selling unroadworthy used cars by car traders, and used motor vehicle retailers.

Their powers allow them to enter premises, seize vehicles, make test purchases, carry out covert investigations and, of course, take businesses to court for trading standards and unfair commercial practices.

Officially, car dealers should operate in compliance with the following trading standards for UK car sales:

Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPUTRs)

This prevents car dealers from using unfair business practices; misleading, aggressive, or otherwise unfair behaviour could result in legal action, whether they are before, during, or after the vehicle sale. 

Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA)

This is the primary law that helps consumers seek a refund when there’s something wrong with a car they’ve purchased. Car dealers must ensure that the vehicles they sell are of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and match the description; they also need to have the legal right to sell the vehicle in the first place. Consumers may be entitled to a full refund, repair, or replacement if these conditions are not met.

What Our Customers Are Saying

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Lorraine Ballantine profile picture
Lorraine Ballantine
September 8, 2026
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Exceptional Support During the Most Stressful Consumer Dispute I Have Ever Faced There are very few occasions in life when you genuinely feel that someone has stood beside you through a difficult situation and helped you achieve the right outcome. My experience with Philip Harmer and Antonia at Stormcatcher Law was one of those occasions. I approached Stormcatcher after what had already become an exhausting and highly stressful dispute involving a faulty £82,850 motorhome with a Dealer based in Cannock. By that point, I had spent months dealing with repeated faults, unsuccessful repair attempts, cancelled trips, endless correspondence and increasing frustration. What should have been an exciting purchase had turned into one of the most draining experiences I have ever faced as a consumer. From ourfirst conversation, Philip gave me something I had been missing for a very long time: confidence that somebody was actually listening, understood the situation and had a clear plan for how to deal with it. Throughout the dispute, Philip and Antonia were professional, patient, supportive and wonderfully persistent. No matter how many setbacks occurred, they remained calm and focused. When I felt frustrated, they remained measured. When deadlines were missed and arrangements failed, they kept moving the matter forward. When the process became emotionally draining, they gave me confidence that I was not fighting the battle alone. What impressed me most was the balance they struck between legal expertise and genuine human support. I was never made to feel like just another file. The advice was always clear, practical and honest. Expectations were managed properly and communication was excellent throughout. By the time Stormcatcher became involved, the dispute had generated a huge amount of evidence, correspondence and history. Philip took the time to understand every aspect of it and never lost sight of the key objective: achieving the right outcome. After months of resistance, delays, missed commitments and legal arguments, Stormcatcher ultimately secured repayment of the full £82,850 purchase price and brought a dispute that had lasted almost a year to a successful conclusion. The financial result was obviously important, but what meant even more to me was the sense of relief that came from finally bringing the matter to an end. After living with the stress of the dispute for so long, I cannot adequately describe how grateful I was to have someone in my corner who was prepared to keep going until it was resolved. I would like to personally thank Philip Harmer and Antonia at Stormcatcher Law for their hard work, professionalism, patience and determination. If you are facing a difficult consumer dispute and need solicitors who genuinely care about achieving the right outcome for their client, I would recommend Stormcatcher Law without hesitation. I am incredibly grateful for everything they did for me. They helped me bring a very difficult chapter to a close, and that is something I will never forget. Thank you, Philip and Antonia.
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Dale Tierney
September 6, 2026
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I first spoke to Phil when I was a couple days out from submitting to court, and thankfully I did. Although I possibly could have still won he pointed out a few issues and told me to take the case forward in a different direction a stronger direction (alot stronger) than it originally was. With his and Antonia's advice along the way the case seemed to grow from strength to strength. After months had gone by, I won my case and I am fully paid up. your reassurance and guidance helped me get to this position so thank you. Highly recommend.
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Emma Nott-Macaire
August 26, 2026
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I’ve been dealing with a very stressful and complicated situation with my car and Antonia has been incredibly helpful today. She has been completely transparent, honest and incredibly knowledgeable. She has taken the time to understand the situation, clearly explain my options and give me practical guidance on the next steps, without making me feel pressured or trying to sell me anything. Antonia has been so generous with her time and advice and when you’re already dealing with a stressful and expensive situation, having someone who is genuinely willing to help and give straightforward, impartial advice makes such a difference. Thank you so much, Antonia, for all your help and support so far. It has made a difficult situation feel much more manageable. I would absolutely recommend Stormcatcher Law to anyone who needs honest, knowledgeable and genuinely helpful advice.
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Susan
August 14, 2026
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If your vehicle is not as described or not fit for purpose then I highly recommend you contact Stormcatcher Law. Fees are transparent from the outset (not high) and the service is professional. The initial video call with Philip for a fixed fee was worth its weight in gold to us. For some people I can see that this is all they need. The no-win no-fee alternative company would have cost us thousands more in fees and they don’t have the motivation to get anything more than a basic settlement. Philip must be one of the most experienced people in the field of automotive consumer law. If he thinks you have a case, he uses his clearly extensive knowledge to produce an argument that a dealer will ultimately find impossible to ignore. In our case (against a large motorhome dealer in Newark), Philip wrote numerous letters to the dealer detailing the legal precedents supporting the rejection of our motorhome. We bought our motorhome new in 2025 and the engine failed (oil pump failure) at more than the 6 month window meaning the burden of proof that the fault was existing at time of sale lay with us. As Fiat had agreed the fault was covered by the warranty AND that the repair had not been carried out in ‘a timely manner and without significant inconvenience’ Philip was able to construct a solid legal argument as to why we were entitled to reject the motorhome under the consumer rights act and receive a refund. The motorhome dealer refused to accept our legal grounds for rejection for a number of months but Philip pursued them confidently and consistently ultimately winning for us without the need to actually go before a judge. Even when the initial offer came in, Philip was confident we could achieve more for pecuniary losses and compensation - He doesn’t give up easily. However he respected and supported our decision to take the money and run! Philip was clear to us at the outset that he cannot represent clients in court but I get the impression most of his cases are resolved outside of court. We initially thought our only hope was the Motor Industry Ombudsman but now think they gave us lazy advice and this process would likely take months/years longer to resolve. The legal cover with our motorhome insurance policy couldn’t work out if we had a case or not! This situation had been incredibly stressful for us and had gone on for months before Philip quite literally took the load off us - we cannot thank Philip and Antonia enough. Prior to us engaging Stormcatcher, there was no hope of achieving any resolution. In desperation we had even written a begging letter to ask the dealer to make us an offer to take the broken motorhome off our hands but they declined. Of course the sum we ultimately got was far in excess of what we would have accepted at that point had it been offered. At point of settlement we were towards one year after breakdown and the vehicle is still not repaired due to lack of parts. Our vehicle was based on a Fiat Ducato. It is difficult to convey the gratitude we feel towards Stormcatcher Law. They genuinely seemed to care and wanted us to win. They are absolutely not a faceless legal firm.
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G9
August 7, 2026
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After watching some of Phil's videos on youtube I started the frustrating and downright pisstake that is trying to get a finance unwound on a faulty car. Whilst I have not yet solved this issue, the advice given in the videos was very helpful in getting the process started. I then called in to stormcatcher to get some further advice as I had hit a brick wall with the finance company. Phil took time out to speak with me personally and was very sympathetic, assuring and gave very helpful succinct advice for going forward. Such a kind hearted person. Its not often you find a company with such kind and helpful staff that actually know what they're talking about too! If you need help with car finance issues don't hesitate to contact them. Thanks again Phil, what a godsend.
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Emily White (Emily Lily) profile picture
Emily White (Emily Lily)
July 30, 2026
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I had to call for some advice regarding the Consumer Rights Act, and I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I had the pleasure of speaking with Antonia, who was incredibly kind, patient, and understanding. As a new mum with a serious case of “baby brain,” I wasn’t explaining everything as clearly as I would have liked, but she never made me feel rushed or silly. She took the time to listen, understood my situation completely, and explained everything in a way that was easy to understand. It’s rare to come across someone who is not only knowledgeable but also genuinely compassionate. Antonia was an absolute credit to the firm, and her warmth made what was a stressful situation so much easier to navigate. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for professional legal advice with a truly human touch. Thank you again, Antonia!
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Hawton House profile picture
Hawton House
July 26, 2026
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Antonia and Philip were amazing in helping me deal with my legal issues. I came to them with quite a complex situation regarding Car Finance and my Consumer rights and dealing with my insurance company. They went above and beyond to help me and Philip took the time to explain to me what was happening and why, explaining the process and making sure I understood what needed to be done. I feel like they took the time to understand me and my situation and genuinely wanted to help. My experience was filled with humility, understanding and every thing I was told would be done, was done in a timely manner, I was kept updated throughout the process. I could not recommend Stormcatcher enough!
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Lorna Starr
July 20, 2026
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My son and I are having a nightmare with a second hand dealer in the Uxbridge area. After less than a month and following an inspection it turns out that the Audi A3 we brought need either an engine rebuild or a new engine. We decided to reject the car only to be told that the dealer was not going to accept our rejection for various reasons not least because they believe we tampered with the engine! Apparently Service is tampering as is having the car inspected to work out why it burning oil at a rate of knots! Spoke to Antonia who was very reassuring and offered advice without any hard sell. Hoping the dealer will see sense before we have to go via small claims
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Motor Trade Law Legal Consultancy

How car trading standards affect car dealers

Advertising Cars

Advertisements with misleading information where the mileage is higher or lower than in reality or the price is different than on the site, making references to credit services without a “credit license”, or advertising the wrong specification are all potential legal offences.

Displaying Cars for Sale

Motor retailers offering an unroadworthy car for sale will get you in legal hot water with trading standards and explaining that the work will be carried out once a deal’s been struck and before the car goes out, won’t cut any ice.

Selling Second-Hand Cars

If a consumer reports a complaint to Trading Standards as to the safety, condition or mileage discrepancy of a second-hand car bought from a dealer you could face criminal prosecution under Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Trade Sales

Marking car sales invoices with trade sale no warranty implied or given isn’t a defence when the buyer turns out to be a consumer. If you don’t declare the vehicle has been in an accident, is a Category C right or sell a car which is damaged albeit repairable you could face prosecution under section 75 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

How car trading standards protect you as a consumer

The standards car dealers are expected to folloe protect you as a consumer, giving you clear rights and remedies. For detailed guidance on how these protections work in practice, including both consumer law and trading standards, see our consumer law trading standards advice.

Fair practices

The Consumer Protection Regulations protects you by prohibiting misleading, aggressive, or unfair business practices by car dealers.

A satisfactory vehicle

Under the CRA, vehicles sold must meet specific quality standards, be fit for their intended purpose, and match their descriptions.

Remedial courses of action

If a vehicle does not meet these standards, you are entitled to remedies such as refunds and repairs.

Reduced risk

Trading standards for car dealers help to reduce the risk of you being misled or receiving a substandard vehicle, ensuring greater protection during car purchases, as well as greater safety out on the roads. 

How car trading standards protect you as a consumer

The standards car dealers should operate by protect you as a consumer by giving you the right to:

Fair practices

The Consumer Protection Regulations protects you by prohibiting misleading, aggressive, or unfair business practices by car dealers.

A satisfactory vehicle

Under the CRA, vehicles sold must meet specific quality standards, be fit for their intended purpose, and match their descriptions.

Remedial courses of action

If a vehicle does not meet these standards, you are entitled to remedies such as refunds and repairs.

Reduced risk

Trading standards for car dealers help to reduce the risk of you being misled or receiving a substandard vehicle, ensuring greater protection during car purchases, as well as greater safety out on the roads. 

The motor ombudsman explained 

The Motor Ombudsman (TMO) is a self-regulatory body in the private sector, providing an alternative dispute resolution service for matters relating to the automotive industry. They help resolve disputes between consumers and accredited car dealers, investigating complaints and helping to settle matters fairly. 

What happens if you have a faulty car bought on finance?

When the car you’ve bought is faulty, but you have purchased it through a finance agreement, you may wonder what your options are; trading standards come into play here, too. Stormcatcher Law can help you navigate the rejection of a faulty car bought on finance, using the Consumer Rights Act as a guide. 

Our trading standards experts

As lawyers and arbitrators with extensive knowledge of the automotive industry, led by Philip Harmer, Stormcatcher Law know trading standards inside out. This knowledge and insight, gained through years of experience, means that we can swiftly pursue positive outcomes for consumers in disputes with car dealers. 

Why choose Stormcatcher Law

We know the automotive industry, and we know the rules; having us in your corner when you are disputing a car purchase can make all the difference in getting the outcome you deserve. Choosing Stormcatcher Law for advice in an automotive dispute means that you have access to: 

Automotive trading standards expertise and experience 

With a deep understanding of automotive disputes, dealer practices, and the trading standards associated with them, we know how to find a path to the best outcome for you. 

A stress-free resolution

We do everything we can to settle disputes outside of court. This saves you time, money, and protects your stress levels, whilst still pursuing a positive result. 

Specialist legal support

Stormcatcher Law is led by an automotive law expert, which means that our guidance is clear, and based on a solid wealth of knowledge. This gives you confidence in upholding your dispute, as well as the best chance of success in settling your case.  

If you believe a dealer has breached trading standards, seek advice from the experts; contact Stormcatcher Law today.

Trading Standards for car sales Frequently Asked Questions

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Charlie B profile picture
Charlie B
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Philip & Stormcatcher offer an invaluable service, all round. I had a longstanding small claim against a car dealership, regarding a mis sold warranty that wasn’t provided. Philip broke down the particulars of the case and provided me with priceless advice, helping me focus in on what needed to be put forward to the court in order to best represent myself, and my case. No query from myself was too small, or left unanswered showing his high attention to detail, and customer care. Not only is Philip an expert in law, but also can put this in to layman’s terms for those less educated! Thanks again to Philip, Antonia & Stormcatcher, I couldn’t recommend their services any higher!
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Daniel Owusu
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Spoke to Antonia, she was incredibly helpful! Helped answer all my questions, provided an excellent service!
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Chris Dezille
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Fantastic service. Phil was invaluable in assisting me in returning a car which was mis sold from a private seller. He managed to negotiate the return of the vehicle, a full refund, and money to cover some of my costs. I honestly thought I was stuck with the car, but thanks to Phil & Antonia, Car Gone and money safely in the bank. I couldn't recommend their services enough. Thanks both.
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Angad Saluja
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Incredible service from Phil. Reversed a decision made by a rather abrupt and argumentative insurance company. Would highly recommend.
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Oliver Alcock
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I recently had the pleasure of working with Philip and his team at Stormcatcher Law on a vehicle rejection claim, which also involved navigating a separate warranty company claim. Philip’s assistance throughout the entire process was nothing short of incredible. From start to finish, the experience was seamless and stress-free. Philip is not only highly knowledgeable, but he is also one of the nicest and most approachable legal professionals I’ve ever met. Unlike many other firms, Stormcatcher Law operates in a unique and refreshing way. You never feel like you’re being charged for every minute, and their focus is clearly on providing the best service possible, rather than watching the clock. Philip’s dedication and personalized approach made a complex situation much easier to handle, and I’m extremely grateful for all of his support. I would highly recommend Philip and the Stormcatcher Law team to anyone in need of legal assistance. Due to the solid advice and support that Philip provided me with, I am proud to say that I won the legal case relating to the vehicle rejection. I also reached an amicable settlement with the warranty company which allowed me to put to bed an ongoing nightmare that was causing my family discomfort. Thank you for the wonderful service!
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Jen Nuin Smith
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Stormcatcher Law helped me to reject my vehicle and settle out of court. I got the full amount I paid for the vehicle with no deductions (even though I had added nearly 2,000 miles and scratched the vehicle). I was absolutely delighted with the result. I could not have done it without Stormcatcher Law. Philip is an absolute gem. His ability to see through complexity and present a precise, concise and compelling case is second to none. He combines pinpoint precision with the pragmatism necessary to get a good out of court settlement. He is an absolute joy to work with and so are his team. Stormcatcher Law are providing an important specialist service which I highly recommend.
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joseph armstrong
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Incredible service and Golden advice! I can’t recommend this firm enough to anyone who is dealing with dodgy used car salesmen. Give them a call, they’ll save you so much time, money and stress. Thank you Phil and Team!
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Leisa Parker
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I have contacted Philip now on 2 occasions by phone when I was absolutely desperate for advice about how to reject a vehicle with a finace company. He gave me great advice and made me instantly feel better about a very stressful situation. His knowledge is really helpful....I can't thank you enough...thanks
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Lucy Albon
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We have an ongoing legal dispute with a Motorhome hire company who are trying to charge us for a new engine in the vehicle we hired. Philip has been so helpful and reassuring to my family and whilst our situation isn't over yet, he's provided us with some great advice on how to proceed moving forwards.
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rajesh manek
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Fantastic, Professional and knowledgeable. In any matters concerning automotive law consumer guidance I found these guys to be so understanding. I would not go anywhere else. They have helped me understand my rights, and not be pressured into the wrong decisions. Keep up the great work. Thank you again.

</div>If you think a dealership has misled you, you should contact the dealership in the first instance to try and resolve the issue. Failing this, it’s time to seek out expert advice for your next steps; Stormcatcher Law can help.

Whilst many do, dealerships selling used cars aren’t required to provide a warranty on them. However, they should still meet the standards set out in the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Yes, you can. If a fault appears within 30 days, you are well within your rights to reject the car and get a full refund. If the fault appears between 30 days and the six month mark, you are entitled to a repair or a replacement vehicle. If the fault reveals itself after six months, you must prove the fault existed at the time of purchase to claim a repair or a refund.

This depends on whether the dealership is a member of the Motor Ombudsman or not. If they are, you can report them directly. Alternatively, you can report them to trading standards through Citizens Advice, and/or pursue legal action using expert advice.

Fines, prosecution, or bans from trading are all official penalties that a dealership may face if they do not meet trading standards. Refunds or compensation claims could affect them financially, and, of course, there’s the damage to their reputation that such action can breed.

Unfortunately private sellers are not bound by trading standards for used cars in the same way as businesses. However, they are still obligated to match the description of the vehicle to its true condition and history under the Misrepresentation Act 1967. Legal action can be taken against them under this act if the seller lies about the car.

No but under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, you  potentially have the right cancel a finance agreement within 14 days, voluntarily terminate a Hire Purchase or Personal Contract Purchase if you’ve paid at least 50% of the total balance, and challenge lending practices if you think they are unfair.