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.
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Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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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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.
Trading Standards for car sales Frequently Asked Questions
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</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.