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Buying from a private seller

When you buy from a private individual, for example on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or in a private car sale, your rights are much narrower. The goods must match their description and the seller must have the right to sell them, but there is no legal guarantee of quality or fitness for purpose.

Reviewed 23 September 2026 · applies across the UK unless a nation is named · sources listed below · how we check

What the law requires

Private sales are covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979, not the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The seller must have the right to sell the goods, and the goods must match their description. The requirements for satisfactory quality and fitness for purpose only apply when the seller is selling in the course of a business.

If the item was misdescribed

If the goods do not match the description the seller gave, or the seller told you something untrue that persuaded you to buy, you may have a claim for breach of contract or misrepresentation. Screenshots of the advert and your messages are important evidence.

Is the seller really private?

Some traders pose as private sellers to avoid their legal obligations. Signs include lots of similar items for sale, repeated adverts, or a phone number that appears in many listings. If the seller is actually a business, you have full rights under the Consumer Rights Act. See buying from a dealer.

Protect yourself before you buy

Inspect the item carefully, ask questions in writing so you have a record, and for a car, get a vehicle history check (for outstanding finance, write-offs and mileage) and ideally an independent inspection. The 14-day cancellation right and the 30-day right to reject do not apply to private sales.

Cars with outstanding finance

If you buy a car privately that turns out to be on hire purchase or conditional sale, the law can protect you as a private buyer if you bought in good faith without knowing about the finance. Get advice from your national consumer helpline if this happens.

Official sources

• Sale of Goods Act 1979, sections 12 to 14
• Hire-Purchase Act 1964, Part III: motor vehicles on hire purchase
• Citizens Advice: Consumer advice (England and Wales)

Reviewed 2026-09-23. General legal information about UK consumer rights, not legal advice.