Buying a car on finance can make a newer vehicle more affordable. Instead of paying the full price at once, you spread the cost over monthly payments.
But finance does not mean you have to accept a faulty car. If serious problems appear, you may have legal rights under UK consumer law. The process can become more complicated when you are rejecting a car after 6 months, so knowing where you stand is important.
Your Car Must Meet Basic Standards
When a dealer supplies a car, it should be of satisfactory quality, fit for its intended purpose, and match its description.
These standards apply to used cars too. However, what counts as satisfactory can depend on the vehicle’s age, mileage, price, and condition.
A ten-year-old car with high mileage will not be judged in exactly the same way as a nearly new vehicle.
What Happens During the First 30 Days?
If a qualifying fault appears within the first 30 days, you may have the short-term right to reject the vehicle under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
You normally need to show that the car does not meet the required legal standards. If your rejection is valid, you can seek a refund.
With a financed vehicle, you should also contact the finance company rather than dealing only with the dealership.
What About Faults Within Six Months?
After the first 30 days, the dealer will usually have an opportunity to repair or replace the vehicle before you can move toward rejection.
The first six months are important because the law generally assumes that a fault discovered during this period was present when the car was supplied, unless the seller can prove otherwise.
If a repair fails, or the problem cannot be resolved properly, you may have further rights, including a possible price reduction or final right to reject.
Rejecting a Car After 6 Months
Rejecting a car after 6 months can be more difficult, but it is not automatically impossible.
The biggest difference is evidence.
Once more than six months have passed, you will generally need to prove that the problem existed, or was developing, when the vehicle was supplied. Normal wear and tear or a fault caused after purchase is unlikely to give you the same protection.
An independent engineer’s report can therefore be valuable. It may help establish what caused the fault and whether it was likely present when you bought the car.
Keep repair invoices, diagnostic reports, emails, photographs, and records of conversations too.
Does Car Finance Give You Extra Protection?
Finance can provide another route for making a complaint.
With agreements such as hire purchase or PCP, the finance provider may be legally responsible for the quality of the vehicle because it technically supplies the car to you.
Tell the finance company about the fault in writing and explain what outcome you want. Do not simply stop making payments, as this could damage your credit record and put you in breach of the agreement.
What If the Finance Company Refuses?
Start by making a formal complaint and giving the finance provider a chance to investigate.
If the complaint is not resolved, you may be able to take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service, depending on the circumstances and eligibility rules.
The key is to act quickly and keep good evidence. Rejecting a car after 6 months requires a stronger case, but a finance agreement does not remove your consumer rights. If the car had a qualifying fault when supplied, you may still have options for putting things right.
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