Car Purchase Dispute Solicitors
A car described as fully serviced, accident-free, or with genuine mileage — and then found to be none of those things — is a misrepresentation. The law gives you a remedy, and a solicitor will enforce it.
Car purchase disputes arise from misdescription by dealers, hidden faults not disclosed at sale, clocked mileage, undisclosed accident damage, outstanding finance, and breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 where the car was not of satisfactory quality or fit for purpose. A solicitor will identify the legal basis for your claim — misrepresentation, breach of contract, or both — and pursue the refund, rejection, or damages you are entitled to.
Types of Car Purchase Dispute
Car disputes — the legal claims available and how they work.
Car purchase disputes can rest on consumer rights law, misrepresentation, or both. A solicitor will identify the strongest basis for the claim — and the most effective route to recovering the remedy.
Rejecting a faulty car within 30 days
Where a car is bought from a dealer (not a private seller), the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies. Within 30 days of purchase, the consumer can reject the car and receive a full refund if it is not of satisfactory quality, not fit for purpose, or not as described. The car must have a fault — not simply not liked. A solicitor will assess whether the fault amounts to a breach of the satisfactory quality or as-described standards, advise on the rejection procedure, and ensure the dealer provides the refund within the statutory 14-day period.
Dealer misrepresentation
Where a dealer made a false statement — about mileage, service history, accident damage, or the car's condition — that induced you to purchase, you may have a misrepresentation claim under the Misrepresentation Act 1967. Rescission (unwinding the contract and returning the car for a full refund) and damages for any additional loss are both available. The mileage on an HPI check, a service history that the dealer did not disclose, or an MOT history that contradicts the claimed condition are all evidence of misrepresentation that a solicitor will use.
Clocked mileage
Clocking — winding back a vehicle's odometer to show a lower mileage — is both a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and grounds for a civil misrepresentation claim. MOT history (accessible online via the DVLA), service records, and tyre and brake wear inconsistent with the declared mileage all provide evidence that the mileage has been manipulated. A solicitor will gather the evidence, establish that you were induced to purchase by the false mileage, and pursue the full refund and damages available.
Outstanding finance and title problems
Where a car is sold subject to outstanding hire purchase or conditional sale finance, the seller does not have title to sell it — the finance company does. A buyer who purchases in good faith without notice of the finance takes good title under the Hire Purchase Act 1964 (for private purchasers). A dealer who sells without discharging the finance is liable to the finance company and may have committed fraud. A solicitor will advise on the title position, protect the buyer's ownership where possible, and pursue the seller for any loss caused.
Finance agreement disputes
Where a car was purchased on hire purchase or personal contract purchase finance, the finance company is jointly liable under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 for any misrepresentation or breach of contract by the dealer. If the dealer cannot or will not provide the remedy — because they have gone into administration or refused — the finance company must. A solicitor will pursue the finance company directly where the dealer's response is unsatisfactory, and advise on termination rights under the Consumer Credit Act where the finance agreement can be ended early.
Private seller disputes
Cars bought from private sellers are not covered by the Consumer Rights Act — but common law misrepresentation applies where the seller made a false statement that induced the purchase. "Sold as seen" clauses do not exclude liability for misrepresentation. Where a private seller stated the car was accident-free, serviced, or in good mechanical condition — and these statements were false — a misrepresentation claim is available. A solicitor will assess the statements made, the evidence of their falsity, and advise on the prospects of a claim against the private seller.