Buying new
The law states that your new vehicle must be of a 'satisfactory quality'. In practice, new cars do sometimes develop small faults, but most dealers will put them right under warranty. Problems arise if the dealer won't help, or if you want your money back or to change to a different car. Some manufacturers do offer a no-quibble right to return the car within a limited period.
One way to try to avoid these situations is to choose a car from a marque with a reputation for reliability and after-sales service. The number of dealers could be important too. The biggest manufacturers have the most dealerships, so if you choose them there will probably always be a specialist repair and parts garage nearby.
Buying used
Your first recourse should be to contact the seller. You may not have legal redress, but if they are a business they may care more about their reputation, or their sense of right and wrong, than you think.
Taking it further
Other bodies worth contacting are the Consumers' Association for general consumer advice, and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency at Swansea for queries about vehicle ownership. Trading Standards officers can be contacted via your local authority.
Contacts
National Conciliation Service (NCS)
Chestnut House
32 North Street
Rugby CV21 2AH
01788 538 317
Consumers' Association
020 7830 6000
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
01792 782523
Scottish Motor Trade Association
3 Palmerston Place
Edinburgh
EH12 5AQ
0131 225 3643
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