Your rights under the Consumer Rights Act (CRA)
When you buy a used car from a UK dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you these rights for FREE:
30 days short-term right to reject — if the car is faulty when delivered, you can return it for a full refund.
6 months reverse burden of proof — if a fault appears within 6 months, the dealer must prove it wasn't there at sale (most can't).
6 years to bring a claim (5 in Scotland) — for any fault that breaches the 'satisfactory quality' test.
These rights only apply to dealer sales — NOT private sales. They override anything in the dealer's warranty document that tries to limit them. They cost you nothing.
Manufacturer warranties on used cars
Many used cars are still within their original new-car warranty when you buy them.
Standard new-car warranty: 3 years/60k miles for most brands.
Extended new-car warranty (transferable): Kia (7 years/100k), Hyundai (5 years/unlimited), Toyota (5 years extendable), Mitsubishi (5 years).
Always transfer the warranty to your name at purchase. Some manufacturers require activation within 30 days. Check the manufacturer's website.
Manufacturer warranties cover defects but not wear-and-tear. Cambelt, brake pads, tyres etc. are still your bill.
Dealer-supplied used-car warranties
Most franchised dealers include a 3-12 month warranty in the price. Independent dealers often include 3 months.
Read the exclusions list. Often excludes: any pre-existing condition, wear-and-tear items, anything attributed to 'driver behaviour'.
Common gotcha: warranty pays the dealer's labour rate (£70/hr) but for repairs at the dealer's own workshop. If the car breaks down 100 miles away, you pay recovery to bring it back.
Better option: a Warranty Direct or RAC third-party warranty (£300-£500/yr) covers anywhere, any garage.
Third-party / aftermarket warranties — are they worth it?
Verdict: Sometimes. Read the policy in full before paying.
The good policies (Warranty Direct, RAC Approved Warranty, Warrantywise) cover most powertrain and electrical failures, with reasonable claim limits (£1,500-£2,500 per claim).
The bad policies cap at £500 per claim, exclude consequential damage, and require pre-authorisation that takes 3 days.
Worth paying for: high-mileage premium cars where one major failure pays for 3 years of warranty. Range Rover, BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class etc.
Not worth it: 5-year-old Toyota Corolla. The car won't go wrong; you've paid for nothing.
Private sale — no warranty rights
Private sales: Consumer Rights Act DOES NOT APPLY. The legal protection is much weaker. The Sale of Goods Act (caveat emptor) applies — 'as described, of merchantable quality' but the bar is very low.
This is the price you pay for the £1-£2k saving private gives you.
Mitigation: always do a pre-purchase inspection (£200) by an independent engineer for any private purchase. Always pay by bank transfer for paper trail. Get the seller's V5C and driving licence details.
See private seller vs dealer.