After quite a while spent on researching, test-driving, making arrangements, and seeking loans, you’ve finally managed to get your hands on the car of your dreams.
At first, everything seems to be perfect: you have smooth shifts, the car picks up when you need it to, and all the internals are working in sync as expected. Suppose you’re one of the unlucky British drivers who accidentally received a dud of an automobile from the beginning. In this case, however, things can quickly turn upside down because of all the problems that can follow after, which signals the responsibility of rejecting the car in question.
The basics of rejecting your car
In the case of thousands of unfortunate drivers every year, the need to reject a vehicle and return it comes up within the first month or weeks of ownership. Although it’s a fairly common occurrence in the UK, there’s no doubt that anyone who runs into such a problem may not have any idea on how they can carry out the process and get their money’s worth.
Fortunately, we’ve got you covered with this in-depth guide on everything you need to know about rejecting a problematic automobile and what you can do if you run into such a situation:
Going over the fundamentals: What are your rights?
According to British law, cases that involve rejecting a specific automobile upon purchase are covered under the “early right to reject.”
Based on the fundamental guidelines of this right, the details state that customers have a legal right to reject a vehicle that doesn’t meet a specified set of standards within 30 days of their purchase or acquisition. However, it is essential to note that this right—from the consumer’s perspective—is against the supplier, which, in this case, is the dealer (and the finance company, if you bought your unit on finance).
On the other hand, the 2015 Consumer Rights Act affords you the statutory right to reject a new or used car within 30 days of purchase if a particular fault is found. As a result, this act acts as additional padding if the nuances of the first right to reject prevent you from making your claim. If you claim the use of this right, however, you will need to verify your request in the courts because a reputable new or used car dealer may be operating under an Alternative Dispute Resolution, which is to be overseen by The Motor Ombudsman.
The specific ground on which you are allowed to reject a vehicle
Generally, the right to reject a vehicle will only be made available if there is something fundamentally wrong or defective with it.
Such defects include faults that were present (or developing) at the time the car was purchased or a failure to deliver the vehicle in a condition that matches what was claimed during the selling or purchase process. For example, issues like defective transmissions, knocked rods, warped or twisted chassis, or defective undercarriages can act as a ground to exercise your right to reject a vehicle. Additionally, this right may also be claimed if a manufacturer failed to provide you with the car that you ordered (such as a specific trim, edition, or “deluxe” option)!
However, if you want to reject your vehicle based on a cosmetic issue or minor fault, you cannot claim your right to reject because it will be classified as a trivial reason. In cases like these, it is much better to deal with such issues under warranty so that the reparation process will be expedited and carried out accordingly.
What you can do
If you discover that you are eligible to reject your vehicle on a specific ground, then it’s best to understand that you’ll need to enlist the services of a professional as the process can be quite complicated. With the help of a specialist in consumer mis-selling of goods or services—such as Consumer Reclaim—you can ensure that you can immediately return your defective or dissatisfactory vehicle and get the right one in return!
Conclusion
Working so hard to get a car and doing your due diligence in finding the right option, only to face problems that will urge you to return it, is undoubtedly a disappointing experience. Yet, you must act fast to remedy the situation. With the help of this guide, you can ensure that you’ll get your money’s worth by having your vehicle swapped out for one that meets your needs, preferences, and expectations!
Are you having difficulty with reclaiming the full cost on any mis-sold goods or services that you’ve purchased within the last six years in the UK? Discuss your claim with one of our claim advisors today to see how we can help!