New rules mean a customer can reject a car within the first 30 days after purchase

legal updates

The slight saving grace for dealers is that it is down to the consumer to show there is a fault and that it was present at the time of delivery.

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The Consumer Rights Act 2015 comes into force on 1 October 2015. From that date, the Sale of Goods Act 1979 will become largely redundant for all ‘business to consumer’ sales which will then be covered by the new Act.

One of the new rules is the ‘short term right to reject’ covered in Section 22 of the Act.
 
By virtue of this Section, if a consumer complains of a fault with the vehicle in the first 30 days, they will be entitled to bring it back to you for a refund. They can ask for a repair but they are not obliged to accept a repair and can simply insist on a refund which you will be legally obliged to give.
 
The slight saving grace for dealers is that it is down to the consumer to show there is a fault and that it was present at the time of delivery.
 
We therefore strongly recommend that dealers take the time before 1 October 2015 to review their Pre Delivery processes to ensure they do all they can to put themselves in a position to argue that any fault was not present at the time of delivery. Putting a new independent MOT on a car can never be a bad idea nor can using one of our Pre-Delivery Inspection pads.  
 
Keep your eye on our updates for more information and tips in preparation for 1 October 2015.

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Nona BowkisHead of Legal Services / SolicitorRead More by this author

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