“Five days after I bought the car, it broke down”: Elizabeth’s fight for a refund on a faulty used car

Elizabeth thought she had found a reliable used car on Autotrader. Five days later, a serious fault appeared, leading to a dispute with the dealer, a court case, and a refund she says is still unpaid.

When you buy a used car from a dealer, you expect it to be roadworthy. What you don’t expect is a serious fault within days, difficulty contacting the seller, and a court case over a promised refund.

But that’s what Elizabeth reported, after she had paid more than £2,000 for a car she found advertised on Autotrader. Her experience highlights both the protections available under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the importance of carrying out checks before handing over money.

“I viewed the car after seeing it advertised on Autotrader,” Elizabeth explains. “I arranged a test drive and decided to go ahead with the purchase and paid £2,199.”

“Five days later, a serious fault light appeared on the dashboard.”

Elizabeth says she attempted to contact the dealer but did not receive responses to her calls or messages. Concerned about the safety of the vehicle, she took it to a local independent garage for an inspection.

“They found multiple serious faults,” she says. “That’s when I realised this wasn’t just a minor issue.”

The right to reject

Elizabeth contacted Citizens Advice, who helped her assert her rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. When a vehicle is bought from a trader, it must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described.

If a serious fault appears within the first 30 days, consumers have what’s known as the “short-term right to reject”, meaning they can return the vehicle and request a full refund.

Faults that arise within the first six months are also legally presumed to have been present at the time of sale unless the trader can prove otherwise. In Elizabeth’s case, the problem appeared within five days.

A refund that never arrived

“Eventually, I returned the car to the dealer,” Elizabeth says. “I was assured that my £2,199 would be refunded.”

However, she says the refund never arrived.

With no payment and limited communication, Elizabeth reported the situation to Action Fraud.

The case was heard at Bradford County Court on 1 April 2025.

Elizabeth says that during the hearing the dealership director told the judge he would pay the purchase price and costs within 14 days. According to Elizabeth, that payment has still not been made.

Further checks raise concerns

As the case progressed, Elizabeth carried out additional checks.

On 15 March 2025, she paid for a Trust Online search which she says showed the company had seven County Court Judgments (CCJs) registered against it.

“I was shocked,” she says. “If I had known that before buying the car, I would never have gone ahead.”

After returning the car, Elizabeth says she later saw what appeared to be the same vehicle advertised for sale again. According to her, a vehicle with matching details was listed by another car dealer with a similar name for £1,990, and also by a private seller on Gumtree for £2,000.

This raised further concerns for Elizabeth about how the vehicle may have been resold despite the faults previously identified. Elizabeth was also concerned that the car had previously passed an MOT despite the faults later discovered during the independent mechanical inspection.

What you can learn from Elizabeth’s story

Elizabeth’s experience highlights the strong protections available when buying from a dealer. If a serious fault appears within the first 30 days, consumers have the right to reject the vehicle and request a full refund. However, as her case shows, obtaining a court judgment does not always immediately resolve a dispute.

“I followed the legal process,” Elizabeth says. “I returned the car. I went to court. The judge was told I would be paid. I just want what I’m legally owed.”

Her experience is a reminder that careful checks, written records and early advice can make a significant difference when problems arise.

Although the court ruled in her favour, Elizabeth can still return to court to enforce the judgment if payment is not made. The court can then authorise enforcement action to help recover the money owed.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, seek advice as soon as possible and make sure you understand your rights under the Consumer Rights Act. Acting quickly can help protect your position and improve the chances of resolving the dispute.

Checks to make before buying a used car

Before purchasing a used car from a dealer, consider:

• Checking the trader on Companies House

• Searching for County Court Judgments (CCJs) using Trust Online

• Reviewing independent online reviews
• Asking for service history and inspection records
• Arranging an independent mechanical inspection

These simple checks can help identify warning signs before committing to a purchase. Keeping all communication in writing and maintaining a clear record of events. Resolver can help you submit complaints, track responses and keep everything in one place if the issue later needs to be escalated.

With Resolver Stories you can read real experiences of people fighting for fairness and share your own. Whether you scored a big win or are stuck in a never-ending nightmare, we want to hear from you!

Resolver Stories are based on individual consumer experiences and reflect the account of the person involved. Businesses mentioned have not necessarily responded to the claims described.

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