Does the 30-day right to reject apply to used cars?
Yes, if you bought from a dealer. Within 30 days you can reject a car that is faulty, not as described or not fit for purpose, for a full refund with no deduction for use.
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Used goods and used cars bought from a dealer
Second-hand goods bought from a business, including used cars from a dealer, are covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 in the same way as new goods. What changes is the standard: quality is judged against what is reasonable for the item's age, condition and price.
Same rights, adjusted standard
You have the 30-day right to reject, the right to a repair or replacement and the final right to reject. A 10-year-old car with high mileage is judged against what is reasonable for a car of that age, mileage and price, not against a new one. But it must still be roadworthy, safe and as described.
Faults you were told about
You cannot rely on a fault the dealer specifically pointed out before you bought. If you inspected the item, or had it inspected, you cannot rely on a fault that inspection ought to have revealed.
Used cars: points to know
The 30-day right to reject applies to cars, and within those 30 days the dealer cannot deduct anything for use. If you later use the final right to reject, the dealer can deduct an amount for the use you have had, even within the first six months, because motor vehicles are an exception to the usual rule. Keep the advert, any written description, the service history and all messages with the dealer.
Cars bought on finance
If you bought on hire purchase or conditional sale, the finance company is legally the supplier of the car, so your claim is against the finance company. If you paid part of the price by credit card, such as the deposit, Section 75 may also help. Complaints about finance companies can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service if they are not resolved.
"Sold as seen"
A dealer cannot use "sold as seen" or similar wording to take away your statutory rights. It only matters for faults that were actually pointed out to you. Buying from a private individual is different: see buying from a private seller.
Quick answers
Can a dealer deduct money for miles driven?
Not if you reject the car within the first 30 days. If you use the final right to reject later, the dealer can make a deduction for the use you have had, because cars are an exception to the usual six-month rule.
I bought my car on hire purchase. Who do I complain to?
The finance company, because with hire purchase it is legally the supplier of the car. If it does not resolve your complaint, you can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Does "sold as seen" remove my rights when buying from a dealer?
No. A dealer cannot exclude your statutory rights. You cannot rely on faults that were specifically pointed out to you, but other faults are still covered.
Official sources
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 9: satisfactory quality
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 24: price reduction and final right to reject
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 31: terms that cannot remove your rights
- Financial Ombudsman Service
- Consumer Rights Act 2015 (legislation.gov.uk)
Check your own situation
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Open Be Consumer WiseBrowse all guidesReviewed 2026-09-23. General legal information about UK consumer rights, not legal advice.