Rejecting a Defective (Super)car: Your Rights Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015

Tristan Agland (Partner) at Huttons Law and self confessed car fanatic takes a look at your consumer rights, whether its a Peugeot or a Porsche.

Taking delivery of any car, let alone a luxury, high-performance vehicle should be a seamless experience. However, when a £200,000 supercar develops an inherent fault just weeks after leaving the showroom, the excitement quickly turns into a high-stakes legal dispute.

Luxury dealerships are notoriously aggressive in defending their margins, often attempting to categorize manufacturing defects as “driver misuse” or “acceptable characteristics of a performance vehicle.” At Huttons Law, we have successfully litigated against major manufacturers to secure the rejection of defective Maseratis, Porsches, and Ferraris. Here is what you need to know about your legal rights.

The Standard of “Satisfactory Quality”

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA), any vehicle purchased from a commercial dealership must be of “satisfactory quality,” “fit for purpose,” and “as described.”

Crucially, the law states that “satisfactory quality” is determined by what a reasonable person would expect, taking into account the vehicle’s description and its price. The standard applied to a £15,000 family hatchback is vastly different from the standard applied to a £250,000 supercar. If a prestige vehicle exhibits persistent rattling, software failures, or minor trim defects, it can legally be deemed of unsatisfactory quality, even if it is technically still drivable.

Your Timeframes for Rejection

The CRA dictates strict timelines for rejecting a vehicle:

The Short-Term Right (0-30 Days): If an inherent fault manifests within the first 30 days, you have a strict legal right to reject the vehicle for a full refund. Do not allow the dealership to pressure you into accepting a repair during this window if you prefer to reject it.

The Final Right (30 Days to 6 Months): After 30 days, you must give the dealership one opportunity to repair the fault. If the repair fails, or if a replacement is impossible, you have the final right to reject the vehicle (though the dealer may deduct a sum for the mileage you have added).

When the Vehicle is on Finance

If you purchased your vehicle via Hire Purchase (HP) or a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), the finance company is the legal owner of the vehicle. In these instances, your claim for rejection must be brought against the finance provider under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, leveraging their joint liability

Conclusion

Do not let a dealership dictate the terms of a dispute involving a defective luxury vehicle. Securing a successful rejection requires swift, decisive legal action and, often, independent automotive engineering evidence.