Dealer sale rights

Purchasing from a dealer

Generally regarded as the safest way of buying a car as the law affords the maximum protection against "dealers". However it is worth noting that legal rights may only be enforced against a business which is still in existence and as such your extended legal rights will count for very little if the garage business has gone bust or mysteriously disappeared since you brought the vehicle. Look for an established recommended business for additional security.

Your rights

The car must confirm to any description it has been given or representation made regarding its condition or history - to this end if the car is described as having had a reconditioned engine fitted, and this should turn out not to be the case, then the car has failed to conform to its description or has been misrepresented and a claim for compensation or rejection/rescission might follow. The representation must have been made prior to the sale, relied upon and must have been a factor inducing the buyer to purchase the car.

The car must be of "satisfactory quality and fit for the purpose intended" - the car must meet the standard expected for a vehicle of its description, price, age and mileage. A brand new vehicle should be in better condition than a 10 year old second-hand car. For example, a nearly new second-hand car purchased at premium market rates which, within a few days, develops a defect that would never usually appear on such a low-mileage vehicle, does not meet this standard. Failure to comply with this requirement (which cannot be excluded with signs such as "sold as seen") is a breach of your rights, for which you may be entitled to compensation or your money back.

The car will usually come with additional warranty/mechanical breakdown insurance - terms of these vary but they usually exclude "wear and tear" and they may also have a limit to the amount of each claim or the number of claims that may be made. It is essential in every case to check these terms carefully to see what you are entitled to.

It is important to remember that the rights detailed above are independent of each other so if you are not covered for a defect under one of the above headings then you should try another.

Source: © RAC - An Aviva Company

Our car sales site is located at:

ADVANCED CAR SALES, Palmers Green, London N13
(junction of Green Lanes and A406 North Circular Road)

(click here for a map)

CALL US NOW ON 020 8881 4220