What consumer rights do you have when buying a used car privately?

If you buy a car privately which then breaks down after 76 miles and needs a new clutch and driveshaft, do you have any legal recourse against the seller?

Asked on 14 December 2018 by Helen

Answered by Honest John

Over a private sale your rights are solely for breach of contract. So if the vendor wrote in the advertisement that the car was in "excellent condition with no faults" (for example) you would have a case because it plainly wasn't. It's more difficult to prove if all of the assurances were merely verbal. A private sale is not covered by consumer statutes such as the Consumer Rights Act 2015, Sale of Goods Act, etc., and case law on them. See: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/

Tags: consumer rights used cars private sellers

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