Do I have the right to reject a faulty new car?

I recently ordered a new car on a personal contract purchase deal, part-exchanging my previous car and paying a £500 deposit on a credit card to start the deal off. I collected the car on 31 December 2019, and after just one week the engine malfunction light appeared. So I phoned the garage and was advised to wait and see if it happened again.

A week later it did, so I took the car to the garage and the light came on during an extended test drive by the service team.

I have since been told that the car requires a replacement turbocharger. I’m no expert, but this sounds like a signi cant fault to me, suggesting that the car is not t for purpose.

I am within my 30-day limit for rejecting the car under the Consumer Rights Act.the garage has had my car for eight days now while diagnosing the fault, but the nance company says I am not eligible to reject the vehicle, because their contract agreement states I had only 14 days from signing the agreement to change my mind.

Do I really have no rights regarding a brand new car that has a serious fault? Do I just have to allow the garage to x it rather than reject it?

Sarah Law WHAT CAR? SAYS…

You do have the right under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 to reject any product within 30 days and get a full refund if it’s not of satisfactory quality or fit for purpose. And this sounds like the case with your car.

It seems like the finance company is confusing your Consumer Rights Act rights with the 14-day cooling-off period you have to change your mind after buying goods at a distance or online.

We’d advise you to formally reject the car in writing to the finance company and dealership, hand back any paperwork and spare keys, and let them know you require a full refund within 14 days. Don’t accept any offer of repair; you don’t have to do this within the first 30 days.