How to Write a Car Rejection Letter (With Template)

Verbally telling a dealer you want to reject your car is not enough. To exercise your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you need to communicate your rejection clearly and in a format you can evidence later. A written letter – sent by recorded post or email with a read receipt – creates the dated record you will need if the matter escalates to a complaint or court claim. See our faulty car bought on finance page for more information.

A well-drafted rejection letter should identify the fault precisely, cite the relevant statutory right, state the remedy you are seeking, and set a reasonable deadline for the dealer’s response.

What your letter must include

• Your full name and address
• The dealer’s full name and address (and registered company number if available)
• The date of purchase and vehicle details: make, model, year, VIN/registration, and mileage at delivery
• The finance company’s name and your agreement reference number (if on finance)
• A clear description of the fault: when it first appeared, how it manifests, and how it affects the vehicle’s use
• The statutory basis for your rejection (e.g., Section 20 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 for short-term rejection)
• The remedy you are requesting (refund and cancellation of the finance agreement)
• A deadline for the dealer’s response – 14 days is standard
• A statement that you will escalate to The Motor Ombudsman, the Financial Ombudsman Service, or the courts if the matter is not resolved

Car rejection letter template

TEMPLATE – Adapt to your circumstances before sending

[Your Full Name]

[Your Address]

[Your Email Address]

[Date]

[Dealer Name]

[Dealer Address]

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Rejection of vehicle – [Make, Model, Year, Registration Number] (“the Vehicle”)

As you know I bought the Vehicle from you for >ENTER PRICE< on >ENTER DATE.

The vehicle fails to conform to contract because: [describe the fault clearly – e.g., the engine began misfiring on [date], the vehicle has been diagnosed by [mechanic/breakdown service] as having [specific fault], and it is not of satisfactory quality as required by Section 9 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015]. I have attached [list any supporting documents: photographs, breakdown reports, inspection reports, correspondence].

I am entitled to a full refund of [purchase price / all finance payments made] and the cancellation of the associated finance agreement with [Finance Company Name]. I have notified [Finance Company Name] of this rejection separately.

Please confirm your acceptance of this rejection and arrange collection of the vehicle within 14 days of the date of this letter. If I do not receive a satisfactory response within this period, I will escalate the matter to [The Motor Ombudsman / the Financial Ombudsman Service / the county court] without further notice.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Full Name]

Sending the letter to the finance company

If your car is on finance, you should send a parallel letter to the finance company on the same day. Adapt the template above for the finance company, replacing dealer-specific references and noting that you are also writing to the dealer under separate cover.

What happens after you send the letter?

The dealer has no statutory obligation to respond within 14 days, but a failure to engage strengthens your position in any subsequent dispute resolution. If the dealer refuses the rejection or fails to respond, your next steps are:

1. Escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (free, for disputes with the finance company)
2. Issue a claim in the small claims court if the vehicle value is within the limit
3. Instruct a specialist automotive lawyer.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sending the letter only to the dealer and not the finance company
• Failing to specify the statutory basis for the rejection
• Requesting a repair rather than a refund – this can inadvertently waive the short-term right to reject
• Continuing to use the vehicle extensively after sending the rejection letter
• Not keeping a copy of the letter and proof of delivery

For high-value vehicles, disputed faults, or cases where the dealer or finance company is unresponsive, a professionally drafted letter carries significantly more weight than a template. Stormcatcher Law can prepare a formal letter before action on your behalf and manage the process from first contact to resolution.