Can I Reject a Car on Finance After 6 Months?

The short answer

Yes – but it becomes significantly harder. Once six months have passed since you took delivery of a financed vehicle, the law shifts the burden of proof onto you. Instead of the dealer having to show the car was fault-free at purchase, you must demonstrate that any defect was present when you bought it. That distinction matters enormously in practice.

What the Consumer Rights Act 2015 actually says

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA), goods sold by a trader to a consumer must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. If a fault emerges within the first six months, the law presumes it was there at the point of sale – the trader must prove otherwise if they want to resist your claim.

After six months, that presumption flips. You carry the burden of establishing that the defect existed at the time of delivery, not that it developed later due to wear, misuse, or normal degradation.

How is a financed car different?

When you buy a car on finance – whether through Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), Hire Purchase (HP), or a conditional sale agreement – your legal relationship is with the finance company, not the dealer. The finance provider is the legal owner of the vehicle until the final payment is made.

This matters because under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, you have the right to pursue the finance company directly for breaches of the supply contract. Section 75 of that Act makes the lender jointly and severally liable for any misrepresentation or breach of contract by the supplier.

In practical terms: if the dealer is unresponsive or has ceased trading, you can bring your rejection claim against the finance company instead.

The three rejection rights under the CRA

1. Short-term right to reject (within 30 days)

Within the first 30 days of ownership, you can reject the vehicle and receive a full refund if it fails to conform to contract. There is no obligation to give the trader a repair opportunity first.

2. Right to repair or replacement (30 days to six months)

Between day 31 and the end of month six, the dealer is entitled to one attempt at a repair before you can insist on a replacement or price reduction. If the repair fails, or if repair or replacement is not possible, you can then seek a final right to reject.

3. Final right to reject (after six months)

After six months, the final right to reject remains available – but you must prove the fault was inherent at the time of purchase. An independent engineer’s report is typically the most effective way to do this. Any refund under this right can be reduced to reflect the use you have had of the vehicle.

What counts as evidence after six months?

Winning a post-six-month rejection claim usually requires documentary evidence that the defect was pre-existing. Useful evidence includes:

• An independent inspection report from a qualified automotive engineer
• Manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSBs) confirming the fault is a known issue on your model
• Service records showing the problem was flagged at or shortly after delivery
• Written communications with the dealer acknowledging the fault
• Any pre-sale inspection reports or advertisements referring to vehicle condition

Common faults that can still support a post-6-month claim

Certain defects are structurally indicative of a pre-existing problem – particularly those that involve internal components with long failure cycles or known manufacturing defects. These include:

• Timing chain or timing belt failure on vehicles with known manufacturing defects
• Gearbox or transmission faults that would typically take months to develop from normal use
• Engine oil consumption beyond manufacturer-stated tolerances
• Rust or corrosion inconsistent with the vehicle’s age and mileage
• Electrical faults traced to defective wiring looms or control units present at manufacture

What if the dealer refuses to engage?

A refusal to cooperate does not end your claim. You can escalate in several ways:

1. Send a formal letter of claim to both the dealer and the finance company, setting out the fault, the evidence, and the remedy you are seeking.
2. If the dealer is a member of The Motor Ombudsman (TMO), raise a formal complaint. TMO adjudication is free and binding on member garages.
3. Pursue the finance company directly under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
4. Issue a claim in the small claims court (claims up to £10,000) if correspondence fails.
5. Instruct a specialist automotive lawyer to write a formal letter before action.

Can the dealer reduce my refund?

Yes. Under the final right to reject, the dealer or finance company can make a deduction for the use you have had of the vehicle. There is no fixed formula in the CRA, but courts generally calculate this based on mileage driven during your period of ownership relative to the expected total lifespan of the vehicle.

This deduction only applies to the final right to reject. If you successfully rejected within the first 30 days, you are entitled to a full refund with no use deduction.

Is there a time limit?

The CRA does not set a hard deadline for raising a rejection claim, but the limitation period under the Limitation Act 1980 is six years from the date of purchase. In practice, the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to prove the defect was pre-existing and the larger any use deduction is likely to be. Acting promptly is always preferable.

How Stormcatcher Law can help

Rejecting a car after six months is a legal process that requires the right evidence, the right approach, and – in many cases – a lawyer who knows exactly how finance companies and dealers respond to formal claims. At Stormcatcher Law, we specialise in automotive consumer dispute.

If you have a faulty car bought on finance, and you are past the six-month mark, speak to one of our lawyers for a free initial assessment.