Consumer rights when buying used imported car

Have you considered buying an imported used car? Need help with your consumer rights if you purchased a used imported car?

This blog post will cover all you need to know about your consumer rights when buying a used imported car. You will discover more about The Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the key differences between buying a used imported car from a registered dealer, through a private seller, and at an auction.

Want to know how to import a car into the UK? Do you need information about importing vehicles into EU countries? Looking for information on registration plates in the UK? Click these links to find out more!

The Consumer Rights Act 2015

The Consumer Rights Act was introduced on 1 October 2015 and covers the purchase of new and used cars from official dealers and servicing, repairs and maintenance work.

The act does not cover any purchases of vehicles used or new made through online auctions or private sellers.

As per the Consumer Rights Act, products must be

• Of satisfactory quality
• Fit for purpose, and
• As described.

The dealer must have the legal right to sell the vehicle, and they are liable for any faults with the vehicle that were present when it was sold, even if these faults only become apparent later on.

Of Satisfactory Quality

This means that any vehicle you buy should not be damaged or faulty.

• If you buy a brand-new vehicle, it should function as expected
• If you buy a second-hand vehicle, its condition and performance should be reasonable
• All vehicles should be roadworthy (safe and reliable)
• The condition of the vehicle should match its age, price and mileage
• The quality of the vehicle should match the make and model’s standard
• The vehicle should be as described and advertised

Fit For Purpose

You must be able to use the vehicle for the purposes that you would normally expect from a vehicle.  This includes any particular purpose you inform the dealer about before you buy, or which the dealer has specifically advertised, for example, a vehicle advertised as only suitable for shorter journeys.

As Described

The vehicle you buy should match the description in the adverts or the sample model shown in a showroom, vehicle specs and appearance should be the same as advertised or discussed before purchase, and second-hand cars should be in the condition, and their performance should be as described.

If the car you buy does not meet any of these three criteria, you may have the following options under the Consumer Rights Act:

The Right to Reject

If the car you buy fails to meet one or more of these criteria you should have the option to reject the product within the first 30 days of buying it provided that you can prove these issues were present before you bought the car.

If you reject the car within this time period, you should be entitled to a refund without undue delay and within 14 days of the dealer agreeing to the refund.

The Right to a Repair/Replacement

If you find a problem or defect after 30 days you can request a car repair or replacement. This can only be done if this is within the first 6 months of owning the car. The dealer chooses the best option for them making it unlikely you can ask for your preferred choice. 

You are entitled to this right if the fault was there at the time of delivery unless the seller can prove this was not the case.

The Consumer Rights Act stipulates that dealers have only one chance to repair or replace the car. This means that multiple attempts to fix any problems are not allowed to go ahead unless agreed upon by you. 

If the dealer fails to fix the issue in one attempt (or within a reasonable time period,) you will be entitled to a full or partial refund. Alternatively, you can ask for another attempt at repairing/ replacing the car, or for financial compensation.

The seller is, however, entitled to make a reasonable reduction for the amount the car has been used.

The Consumer Rights Act protects buyers who have purchased a vehicle, both used and new, from a registered dealer in person and online. 

What are my rights if I buy privately or through an auction? 

Unfortunately, the Consumer Rights Act only protects buyers who have purchased their used car from a registered dealer.

If you buy a used car from a private seller, you won’t have the same legal protection as you would if buying from a dealer. The only legal terms that cover a private sale contract are:

• The seller must have the right to sell the car
• The vehicle should match the description given by the seller
• The car must be roadworthy.

If you purchase the car through an auction, you will have very little legal protection. You should always ensure that you check the specific terms and conditions of the auction before bidding. If you are buying a vehicle ‘sold as seen,’ you should check the car thoroughly before bidding.

For further information on your rights as a consumer and what to do if a car dealer is not dealing with your complaint after you have had problems with a car they have sold you, click here. 

Are you thinking of taking your imported used vehicle abroad? If so, you will probably need to get a Certificate of Conformity for your vehicle. EUROCOC is the market leader in COC mediation, and we make this process very simple. If you need to get a COC for your vehicle, we can help you with a few easy-to-follow steps. Just click here to get started!