WHAT IF IT ALL GOES WRONG?

If the car of your dreams turns into a nightmare, there are legal obligations that a dealer and manufacturer must honour. Here we tell you what they are and how they protect you

HOWEVER good a car is, however perfect a specification you’ve chosen, and however delighted you and your family are with it, the fact remains that a car is a hugely sophisticated piece of kit. And with myriad moving parts cars – even brand-new ones – can sometimes go wrong.

In theory, the 2015 Consumer Rights Act (CRA) means that, if should you be in the unfortunate position of buying a car that goes wrong, you’re protected by very strong legislation.

We say in theory, because while the CRA is a comprehensive law that affords greater protection than the Sales of Goods Act it replaced, if buyers and dealers are unaware of the rights it grants, things can fall down.

Knowing your rights is key, therefore, so here we’ll highlight what these are, and give you some practical tips should you find yourself in a position where you have to make use of the rights enshrined to you by law.

This advice is geared around those buying from franchised dealerships, which is where most newcar purchases occur, but still applies to those buying from other dealers or online brokers – although private sales and auctions are not covered by the Act. It’s also worth bearing in mind that while the CRA is a legal backstop that protects buyers, new-car warranties tend to be pretty iron-clad, and it can be easier to refer to your manufacturer guarantee before citing the CRA.

“The 2015 Consumer Rights Act means that if you should unfortunately buy a car that goes wrong, you’re protected by very strong legislation”