Can I Reject a New Car? Rights Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015

Rejecting a new car: stronger rights, higher expectations

The standards applied to a brand-new car are the highest in consumer law. Where a used car is assessed against expectations consistent with its age, mileage, and price, a new car must be free from defects, fully functioning, and exactly as described. Even relatively minor faults – paint imperfections, electrical gremlins, minor panel misalignments – can support a rejection claim where the vehicle is new and the defect was not disclosed before sale. See our faulty car bought on finance page for more information.

Which law applies?

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 governs the sale of goods from a trader to a consumer, covering both new and used vehicles. A new car sold by a dealer to a private buyer must be:

• Of satisfactory quality: free from minor defects, safe, durable, and of the appearance and finish expected of a new vehicle
• Fit for purpose: suitable for the ordinary use of a new car and any particular purpose you communicated to the dealer
• As described: matching the specification, trim level, features, and any representations made in the order confirmation or advertisement

The short-term right to reject for new cars

Within the first 30 days of delivery, you can reject a new car with a fault and receive a full refund – no deduction for use, no obligation to accept a repair first. The 30-day period begins on the date of delivery, not the date of order or the date the finance agreement was signed.

For a new car, the bar for what qualifies as a fault is calibrated to the expectation of a new vehicle. A fault that might be acceptable on a five-year-old car with 60,000 miles may be entirely unacceptable on a brand-new one.

What about manufacturer defects discovered after 30 days?

New cars often develop faults linked to manufacturing defects weeks or months after delivery. Beyond the 30-day window, the CRA gives you the right to one repair attempt before escalating. However, the six-month presumption works strongly in your favour: any fault that appears within six months of delivery is presumed to have been present at the time of sale. The manufacturer or dealer must prove otherwise.

If the repair fails, or if the same fault recurs, you are entitled to escalate to a price reduction or full rejection under the final right to reject.

What about a manufacturer warranty?

Most new cars come with a manufacturer warranty – typically three years but varying by manufacturer. A warranty is a separate contractual commitment by the manufacturer and is in addition to, not a replacement for, your statutory rights under the CRA.

Critically, your CRA rights are against the dealer (or finance company), not the manufacturer. A dealer who tells you that a fault is ‘covered under warranty’ and refuses to discuss rejection is conflating two separate legal routes. You are not obliged to use the warranty process if you have a valid CRA claim.

Can a dealer refuse a rejection of a new car?

A dealer can dispute a rejection on the basis that:

• The fault does not cause the vehicle to fail the satisfactory quality test
• The fault was caused by misuse, accident, or modification after delivery
• The fault was clearly pointed out before purchase and therefore cannot be the basis for rejection

Where the dispute is genuine and the fault is material, most disputes can be resolved through The Motor Ombudsman or – where finance is involved – the Financial Ombudsman Service. Both services offer free dispute resolution and can compel resolutions from their registered members.

Does it matter if the new car was bought outright or on finance?

The CRA applies regardless of how the car was paid for. If it was on finance, the additional protections under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 also apply – including the right to pursue the finance company directly under Section 75 for any breach of contract by the dealer.

For new cars bought on PCP, the outstanding balloon payment means the financial stakes are typically high. A successful rejection should return all payments made and release you from the outstanding finance.

What about pre-registered or demonstrator vehicles?

Pre-registered cars (registered by the dealer before sale to generate new car bonuses) and demonstrator models occupy a grey area. They may have low mileage but they are not technically new. The CRA still applies, but the standard of satisfactory quality may be assessed slightly differently given that they have been registered and, in the case of demonstrators, driven. Any representation that they are in ‘new condition’ remains actionable if false.

The role of the FCA scheme for new cars on PCP

If your new car was bought on a PCP agreement between 2007 and 2024 and a discretionary commission arrangement was in place between the dealer and the finance provider, you may have a separate mis-selling claim under the FCA’s redress scheme. This is distinct from a rejection claim but potentially runs alongside it. Stormcatcher Law advises on both.

Practical steps if you want to reject a new car

1. Document the fault thoroughly with photographs, video, and any written assessments from the dealer’s service department.
2. Check whether the fault is a known issue on your make and model by searching manufacturer TSBs and owner forums.
3. Write to the dealer and finance company formally, exercising the short-term right to reject (if within 30 days) or the final right to reject (after a failed repair).
4. Do not accept a goodwill repair offer as a substitute for your statutory rights – accepting a repair in writing can waive the short-term right to reject if you are not careful.
5. If the dealer disputes the fault or refuses to engage, escalate through The Motor Ombudsman or seek legal advice.

How Stormcatcher Law can help

New car rejection claims involve some of the highest-value consumer disputes in the automotive sector. Whether you are within 30 days of delivery or months into a dispute with the dealer and finance company, our car lawyer can advise on the strength of your claim and the most effective route to a resolution. Contact us for a free initial assessment.