The Consumer Rights Act 2015 sets out the rights of consumers when they purchase goods from a trader. The Act provides that goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. If the goods do not meet these requirements, you may have the right to reject them and receive a refund within 30 days of purchase.

In your case, if the car dealer did not inform you of any damage to the car and you have subsequently discovered that it has been re-painted and repaired poorly, you may have the right to reject the car and receive a refund. However, you may need to act quickly as the 30-day period for rejection starts from the day you take ownership of the car.

If the car dealer does not cooperate with your request for a refund, you may wish to consider taking legal action. The small claims court is an option for disputes involving sums of less than £10,000, but you may also wish to seek legal advice from a solicitor who specialises in consumer law.

In any case, it is important to keep records of all communications with the car dealer and any evidence of the car's condition, such as photographs or reports from independent mechanics, to support your case.

Finally, it is always advisable to conduct a thorough inspection of any second-hand car before purchase, including a test drive and a check of its history as it may have been reported as accident damaged.