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This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Problems buying secondhand vehicles
When you buy a secondhand vehicle your rights are the same as when you buy any other goods. However, there are some differences and you should read this information before deciding what action to take. There can also be particular problems with secondhand vehicles because:
- a secondhand vehicle may have many hidden faults
- whether or not you can make a complaint or take any action if the vehicle is faulty may depend on the age and make of the vehicle, the price you paid for it and any description given by the seller.
If there is a problem with a vehicle, it is important to act as quickly as possible after buying it. This is because in many cases, your claim will depend on the condition of the vehicle at the time of sale. Because the condition of a secondhand vehicle varies greatly, it will be harder to prove that there is a genuine complaint if the vehicle has been used for some time.
When you buy a secondhand vehicle, your rights depend on whether you bought it from:
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You bought the vehicle from a dealer
Your consumer rights when you buy a vehicle from a dealer
If you bought the vehicle from a dealer, you will have certain rights under consumer law.
A secondhand vehicle must match its description, be fit for its purpose, and be of satisfactory quality. However, the standard for meeting the requirement that the vehicle is of satisfactory quality will be lower because it is secondhand. A secondhand vehicle should be in reasonable condition and work properly. When deciding whether a secondhand vehicle is in reasonable condition it is important to consider the vehicle’s age and make, the past history of the vehicle and how much you paid for it.
If a secondhand vehicle needs more extensive repairs than seemed necessary at the time it was bought, this does not necessarily mean that the vehicle is not of satisfactory quality. A secondhand vehicle can be of satisfactory quality if it is in a useable condition, even if it is not perfect.
If the vehicle develops a problem soon after you bought it, you may have a right to return the vehicle to the dealer and get your money back. This would probably need to be within about three to four weeks at the most of buying the vehicle. The problem would need to be fairly major, and you would need to take into account the age, mileage and price of the vehicle when deciding whether it is reasonable to take it back.
You must stop using the vehicle at once and contact the dealer. If you traded-in a vehicle, you are entitled to have it returned if it is still available, or to have the full value allowed on it, if it has been disposed of. If you have left it too late to claim a refund, or you don't want one, you may be entitled to ask for a repair or replacement. The fault must have been there when you bought the vehicle. If you do agree for a major fault to be repaired and the repair turns out to be unsatisfactory, it's not too late to ask for your money back.
If the dealer won't agree to put the problem right, you can take legal action up to six years from the date you bought the vehicle (five years in Scotland). However, it is probably unrealistic to take legal action for a fault in a secondhand vehicle, especially an older vehicle, once you have been using it for a reasonable length of time.
If you take the vehicle back within six months of buying it, the dealer should accept that there was a problem when the vehicle was sold and offer to repair or replace it. If the dealer doesn't accept that there was a problem when the vehicle was sold, they will have to prove this.
After six months, it will be up to you to prove that there was a major problem with the vehicle when it was sold. You will have to provide evidence of this so it may help to get an independent report which could establish the condition of the vehicle when it was sold.
If the dealer agrees to repair the vehicle, the repairs have to be carried out within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience to you. The dealer must pay the costs of the repairs. If the repair has taken a long time, you may be able to use a service loan car or claim compensation, for example, for the cost of hiring a vehicle. If the dealer refuses to repair the vehicle, you are entitled to get it repaired elsewhere and claim back the cost from the dealer. If the vehicle can't be repaired or replaced or this is considered too expensive, taking into account the type of fault, you may have the right to get some or all of your money back. You will have to negotiate with the dealer to decide on what would be a reasonable amount. In deciding what is reasonable, you will need to take into account how much use you have had out of the vehicle.
For more information about your rights when you buy goods, including secondhand goods, see Buying goods - your rights.
A Citizens Advice Bureau can help you negotiate with a dealer if something is wrong with your vehicle. To search for details of your local CAB, including those that give advice by e-mail, click on  nearest CAB.
There are two circumstances in which you may not have a right to complain to the dealer. These are where:
- the dealer specifically drew the vehicle’s defects to your attention before you bought it. You may still be able to make a complaint if, for example, the dealer said the clutch was stiff when in fact it was worn through. If the dealer did not point out the full extent of the defects, they are still liable for those they missed. However, the dealer does not have to say anything about the vehicle’s condition at all
- you inspected the vehicle before you bought it and should have noticed the defects. However, if you didn't notice the defects, you could try arguing that you examined the vehicle as a layperson and could not be expected to spot mechanical or structural defects.
In England and Wales, for more information about what action you can take if you have a problem with a second hand vehicle, see Second hand cars in Consumer Fact Sheets.
Breach of contract
As well as the rights you automatically get under consumer law, you and the dealer may have agreed other terms and conditions, for example, that certain repairs would be done before delivery or that delivery would be by a certain date. If the dealer does not keep to these agreed terms they will have broken the contract.
For more information about compensation for delays on delivery, see Buying goods – your rights.
Unfair contract terms
If there is a term in your contract with a dealer which is unfair to you, you may not have to stick to it.
For more information on unfair contract terms when you buy goods, see Buying goods – your rights.
The dealer gave a false description of the vehicle
If you were given a false description of the vehicle when you bought it, for example, the dealer said that the vehicle had done 45,000 miles when it had actually done 95,000 miles, this is a criminal offence. You could try telling the dealer that if the problem isn't resolved to your satisfaction, you will report them to the trading standards department of the local authority. Trading Standards can take legal action against the dealer under unfair commercial practices regulations.
If this doesn't solve your problem, you should report the dealer to Consumer Direct who will pass the information on to Trading Standards. You can contact Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506 or at: www.consumerdirect.gov.uk. In Northern Ireland, you should contact ConsumerLine on 0845 600 6262 or at: www.consumerline.org.
Trading Standards won't be able to take action on your behalf, although they may prosecute the dealer for committing a criminal offence. If you still want the dealer to compensate you in some way or give you your money back, you will have to consider whether it is worth your while taking the dealer to court. Going to court should be a last resort. If you haven't made a genuine effort to sort out your problem before starting court action, even if you win your case the court may reduce your compensation.
For more information about how to negotiate with a dealer when you have a problem with goods you have bought, see Buying goods – your rights.
Licensed dealers in Scotland
In Scotland, some district councils require secondhand vehicle dealers to register, and will issue them with a licence. If you are having problems with a dealer in an area where there is a licensing system, you should contact the local Trading Standards department. Trading Standards can withdraw the dealer's licence. It might be worth mentioning this fact when you are trying to come to an agreement with the dealer.
You will need to check whether the area where you bought the vehicle has a licensing system and, if so, what the local requirements are.
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What action can you take against a dealer
If you have a problem with a secondhand vehicle you have bought from a dealer, first work out what rights you have and decide what you want the seller to do about it. It is the dealer and not the manufacturer who is responsible for dealing with your complaint. Follow the steps below:
- stop using the car
- collect all your documents together, including your sales invoice, guarantee or warranty and/or credit agreement
- contact the dealer as soon as you discover the fault. Take the vehicle back, and ask to speak to a manager or the owner. Alternatively, write to the manager or owner, enclosing a copy of your sales invoice. If you bought the goods on credit, send a copy of your letter to the credit company. Keep a copy of your letter. If you are complaining in person, explain your problem calmly but firmly. Ask for a full refund, a repair, a replacement, or compensation depending on what you would like the dealer to do. Set a time limit for the dealer to sort out the problem
- if the dealer doesn't agree on the cause of the problem, you may have to get an expert opinion. You can do this through a trade association, the AA, RAC, or from anyone suitably qualified who is willing to put their findings in writing. You will usually have to pay for the report. You should also reach agreement with the seller in advance on the choice of expert and that you will both be bound by the expert's findings. If you want to use the expert's evidence in court proceedings, you will need the court's permission first, otherwise you may not be able to recover the costs, even if you win your case
- many dealers are members of trade associations which have a Code of Practice covering the sale of new and secondhand cars and repairs. If the dealer is a member of a trade association, it may offer to help you negotiate an agreement with the dealer through conciliation or arbitration. This could mean you can avoid going to court. Arbitration is often legally binding so you would need to make sure you are very clear about what you have agreed to before you enter into any agreement. Trade associations which may be able to help you include: the Retail Motor Industry Federation, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the Scottish Motor Trade Association.
- if you are still dissatisfied, or you do not want to accept arbitration, write to the dealer repeating your complaint and mentioning any action that has already been taken. If you have bought the vehicle on credit, you should send a copy of this letter to the credit company. Say that you will give the dealer fourteen days to sort out the problem or you will consider legal action. Send your letter by recorded delivery with a copy to the head office. Be sure to keep copies of all letters
- the trader might not sort out your problem in the way that you've asked for, but might offer you an alternative solution instead. You can either accept this offer or continue to negotiate for what you want. Be realistic in what you will accept. You may not get a better offer by going to court
- if the dealer doesn't reply to your letters, refuses to do anything, or makes a final offer that you are unwilling to accept, your only other choice is to go to court. If you are claiming the cost of repairs, make sure you have obtained sufficient evidence to prove your claim, for example, expert reports and photographs before you allow another garage to repair the car. Remember, court should be your last resort. You also need to find out if the dealer has enough money to pay your claim. It is not worth suing a person or a firm that has no money.
If negotiations with the trader don't work, you might have other options available. Some of these are explained below:
The vehicle was bought on credit
If the vehicle was bought on credit you may be able to claim against the credit company instead of the dealer. This can be useful where the dealer has gone out of business or has no money to compensate you.
If you paid for the vehicle using a debit card operated by VISA, you may be able to use VISA's chargeback scheme. If you want to make a claim on this scheme, you must do this within 120 days of buying the vehicle. You should ask at your bank for details of how to apply under the scheme.
For more information about how to resolve problems with faulty goods bought on credit, see Credit.
Unfair commercial practices and criminal offences
A dealer may have committed a criminal offence if they have done any of the following things:
- pretended to be a private seller
- given a false description of the vehicle
- altered the mileage of a vehicle or sold you a vehicle with an altered mileage reading
- sold you the vehicle as having an MOT certificate when it didn't really have one
- sold you an unroadworthy vehicle.
If a dealer has done any of these things, you should report them to Consumer Direct who will pass the information on to Trading Standards. Trading Standards can take legal action against the dealer under unfair commercial practices regulations.
Trading Standards may prosecute the dealer for committing a criminal offence, but they won't be able to take action on your behalf. If you want the dealer to compensate you in some way or give you your money back, you will have to consider whether it is worth your while taking the dealer to court. Going to court should be a last resort. If you haven't made a genuine effort to sort out your problem before starting court action, even if you win your case the court may reduce your compensation.
You can contact Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506 or at: www.consumerdirect.gov.uk. In Northern Ireland, you should contact ConsumerLine on 0845 600 6262 or at: www.consumerline.org.
If you think that the dealer may have committed a criminal offence you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by e-mail, click on nearest CAB.
The vehicle came with a guarantee or warranty
If the vehicle came with a guarantee or warranty, you might find it easier to claim on this if the dealer is refusing to give you what you want. Guarantees and warranties can also be very useful if the dealer has gone out of business.
It can also be more convenient for you to make a claim on a guarantee or warranty if you bought the vehicle over the internet.
You may have bought an extended warranty with the vehicle. This is an insurance policy and is a separate contract between you and an insurance company. However, an extended warranty cannot take away your rights to make a claim against the dealer.
In England and Wales, for more information about buying a second hand car which comes with a guarantee or warranty, see Second hand cars in Consumer Fact Sheets.
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You bought the vehicle at a live auction
If you buy a vehicle at a live auction, where an auctioneer is present and you attend in person, you may have very limited rights.
You should check the terms and conditions of business of the auction, for example in the catalogue or on notices on display. If they state that your rights under the Sale of Goods Act are excluded, you are buying the vehicle as seen and it is your responsibility to check the car before you bid for it.
If you buy the vehicle and something turns out to be wrong with it, there may be very little you can do.
Some auctions will offer insurance against the vehicle turning out to be stolen and some may offer you a cooling off period (although this may often be very short - a matter of a few hours).
If the auctioneer is a member of the Society of Motor Auctions (SMA) they may be able to take up a complaint for you. You can contact the SMA on 08457 585350, or visit their website at: www.rmif.co.uk.
If the vehicle was bought at an auction and you want to make a complaint you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by e-mail, click on nearest CAB.
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You bought the vehicle from a private seller
You have very few legal rights if you have bought the vehicle from a private seller rather than a dealer.
The vehicle doesn't have to be of satisfactory quality. However, if the seller offers a description of the vehicle, it must match the description given. It must also be roadworthy and the seller must have 'good title' to the vehicle. This means that they must be the legal owner in order to sell it to you.
If the vehicle doesn't match the description given, you may be entitled to compensation. You may also be entitled to compensation if you have bought an unroadworthy car from a private seller, which has caused injury to someone. However, it may be especially difficult to get compensation from a private seller.
You will only be able to claim against a private seller for one of the following reasons:
- the vehicle doesn't match the description they gave you
- the seller broke a specific contract term
- the seller was actually a dealer posing as a private seller
- the seller did not have good title to the vehicle
- the vehicle is unroadworthy.
The vehicle doesn't match its description
If you can show that the vehicle did not match the description the seller gave you, you will have a claim against them, even if the seller believed the description to be true. It will strengthen your claim if you have written proof of the false description, for example, a newspaper advertisement. A false description which was only made verbally and not in writing will be much harder to prove, unless someone else was present who can act as a witness.
If the seller said something about the car which proves not to be true, for example, if they said that the vehicle had a new clutch or one owner from new, you will also have a claim against them. However, if the seller described the vehicle as in good condition, it will be more difficult to complain as the vehicle’s age, make and mileage, and the price you paid all have to be taken into account. If the seller did not say anything at all about the vehicle, you will not be able to claim against the seller.
If the seller sold you the vehicle as having an MOT certificate when it didn't really have one, you will have a claim against the seller.
If you want to take action against the seller because they gave you a false description of the vehicle or said something about it that wasn't true, you will need proof that the seller did this at the time of sale. If you have delayed for more than a few weeks or have used the vehicle a lot, this may be almost impossible to prove. An independent report may be able to establish the condition of the vehicle at the time it was sold, but this can be expensive.
If you want to complain about the vehicle not matching its description or the seller telling you something about the vehicle that isn't true, you should complain in writing to the seller. Ask them for a refund or for the cost of any repairs, depending on what you want them to do. If this does not succeed, your only other option is to take the seller to court. However, you should bear in mind that it can be especially difficult to get any compensation from a private seller.
If you are considering taking the seller to court, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by e-mail, click on nearest CAB.
The seller broke a specific contract term
If the seller fails to do something they specifically agreed to, for example, fix certain faults or that the vehicle would have an MOT, they will have broken their contract with you and you will have a claim against them.
If you want to complain about the seller breaking their contract, you should complain in writing to the seller. Ask them for a refund or for the cost of any repairs, depending on what you want them to do. If this does not succeed, your only other option is to take the seller to court. However, you should bear in mind that it can be especially difficult to get any compensation from a private seller.
If you are considering taking the seller to court, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by e-mail, click on nearest CAB.
The seller was a dealer posing as a private seller
Dealers sometimes pretend to be private sellers, by using the small ads and a private address and telephone number. It is an unfair commercial practice and a criminal offence to do this. If you suspect that the person who sold the vehicle was a dealer posing as a private seller, you should report the dealer to Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506, or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk. In Northern Ireland, phone Consumerline on 0845 600 6262, or visit www.consumerline.org. If the seller was a dealer it does not mean that you can cancel the sale. But it does mean that you have the same legal protection as when you buy from a dealer. You may be able to take legal action against them if there are problems with the vehicle that can't be sorted out.
The seller did not have good title to the vehicle
In some cases, you might find that the seller did not have good title to the vehicle. This means that they are not the real legal owner of the vehicle and so were not entitled to sell it. This might be because:
- the vehicle is still on a hire purchase, conditional sale or leasing agreement and is therefore owned by the finance company
- the vehicle has been stolen from it's rightful owner.
If you have bought a vehicle and there seems to be a problem about ownership, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by e-mail, click on nearest CAB.
The vehicle is unroadworthy
If the vehicle is unroadworthy, the seller may have committed a criminal offence and you should report them to Consumer Direct on 845 404 0506 or at: www.consumerdirect.gov.uk. In Northern Ireland, you should contact ConsumerLine on 0845 600 6262 or at: www.consumerline.org.
Fraud in private sales
Most methods of payment in a private sale put the seller at risk of fraud or theft. Keeping the registration certificate (logbook) until a cheque has cleared does not provide any security for the seller, because the logbook is not proof of ownership. To be sure of payment, the seller can ask for cash or they can contact their bank or building society to discuss ways of payment which guarantee the money.
If the seller insists on holding on to the vehicle until a cheque has cleared, you should get a receipt which gives details of the vehicle and the name and address of the seller.
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You bought the vehicle over the internet
There are different types of sale available on the internet and your rights will depend on the type of sale involved. They will also depend on who the seller is.
If you buy your vehicle from a dealer over the internet, you will have the same rights as if you had bought the vehicle from the dealer face-to-face, but you will also have some extra rights on top of these. The most important extra right is the right to a 'cooling off' period. This gives you the right to cancel your order, without having to pay anything, before the car is delivered. You have seven working days to cancel. The trader must tell you about this right when you place your order.
If you buy your vehicle from a private seller over the internet, you will have the same rights as if you had bought it from the private seller face-to face. However, you should remember that you have fewer rights when you buy something from a private seller.
For more information about your rights when you buy goods on the internet, see Distance selling in Buying goods - your rights.
Vehicles bought from internet auction sites
There are different types of sale available on internet auction sites and your rights will often depend on the type of sale involved.
Some types of sale are internet auctions. These are auction-style sales involving bidding for items. Others, for example, ‘Buy-it-now’ on eBay, are not auction sales at all. If you buy from a dealer on an internet auction site, you may well have the same rights as if you had bought from the dealer face-to-face.
For more information about buying goods from an internet auction site, see Buying on internet auction sites.
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Establishing the condition of the vehicle when it was sold
An independent report on the vehicle may be able to establish whether the faults are reasonable for a vehicle of its age, price and mileage. A report can be used when negotiating for repairs or compensation, or be used in evidence if the case goes to court.
A report will also show where apparently minor faults are symptoms of more serious defects.
Independent inspections can be expensive. Many motoring organisations carry out independent inspections so it is worth shopping around for the best price. A report from another garage may not be sufficient if a case comes to court, as it could be argued that they have a vested interest in exaggerating faults to obtain the repair work. However, you need the court's permission to use expert evidence in court proceedings, otherwise you may not be able to recover your costs.
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You paid over the book price for the vehicle
Various publications list guide prices for vehicles according to their make and age. These guide prices are known as book prices and are mainly used by dealers.
However, these prices are only guides and they represent the maximum price a dealer is likely to pay for a vehicle which they intend to sell. The dealer’s selling price, will obviously be higher, to cover the cost of work done and the profit margin.
If you do not think the vehicle was worth the money you paid for it there is nothing you can do. This is because, when you bought the vehicle, you entered into a legal contract with the seller which you have to stick to, including the price you paid. The only time you will be able to take any action against the seller is if they have broken the contract. This will be the case if the vehicle:
For an explanation of satisfactory quality when you buy goods, see Buying goods – your rights.
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The vehicle had a false mileage reading
It is an offence to alter the mileage reading of a vehicle or to offer a vehicle for sale which has an altered reading. A dealer can be prosecuted for these offences. This means that a dealer can be prosecuted for selling a vehicle with a false mileage reading even if the dealer did not alter the mileage, or does not know the mileage was altered.
If the dealer is unable to confirm that the mileage reading is accurate, they can display a disclaimer notice which must, by law, be as bold, precise and compelling as the description of the vehicle. This means that a clear disclaimer should be displayed next to or covering, the mileage reading. A dealer who alters the mileage can still be prosecuted even if a disclaimer is displayed. If you believe the vehicle was sold with a false mileage reading, you should report the dealer to Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506, or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk. In Northern Ireland, phone Consumerline on 0845 600 6262, or visit www.consumerline.org.
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The vehicle is still on a hire purchase, conditional sale or leasing agreement
Before you buy a secondhand vehicle, it may be worth checking whether it is still on a hire purchase, conditional sale or leasing agreement. If it is, you may not have 'good title' to the vehicle (be the true owner). To find out whether the vehicle has any outstanding agreements on it, check in the telephone directory, or search the internet, for 'vehicle history checks'.
You can get online information about vehicle history checks from the Motoring section of the Directgov website at: www.directgov.gov.uk.
If you have already bought a vehicle and there seems to be a problem about ownership, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by e-mail, click on nearest CAB.
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You discover the vehicle is stolen
If you discover that you have bought a vehicle which has been stolen, the general rule is that it remains the property of the owner from whom it was stolen.
If you have bought a stolen vehicle you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by e-mail, click on nearest CAB.
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You weren't given the vehicle registration certificate
If you were not given the registration certificate V5C (log book) because, for example, the seller claims it has been lost, you should apply for a duplicate on form V62, which you can get from the post office. You can also download this form from the Motoring section of the Directgov website at: www.directgov.gov.uk. In Northern Ireland, the form is called V34.
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You part-exchanged a vehicle
If the vehicle supplied by a dealer has defects and you reject the vehicle you are entitled to a refund of any money paid, together with the return of the part-exchanged vehicle.
If the dealer has already disposed of your old vehicle, you are entitled to claim the amount the dealer originally said it was worth. Even if the dealer claims that defects in the part-exchanged vehicle have reduced its value, you are still entitled to the full amount as the dealer should have inspected the vehicle thoroughly at the time the contract was made.
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You discover that the vehicle is a write-off
A vehicle may be called a write-off or total loss by an insurance company where:
- the vehicle has been stolen
- the vehicle has been burnt-out
- the insurance company consider that it is uneconomical to repair the vehicle
- the vehicle is incapable of repair following an accident.
A write-off does not necessarily mean that the vehicle should be scrapped or destroyed. It may be repaired and put back on the road, by the owner or by a dealer who bought it from the insurance company.
As a result of some other problem, for example, an accident or police check, you may discover that you have bought a vehicle which has been a write-off sometime in the past.
You should first find out if the vehicle was repaired properly. If it has been repaired properly and the vehicle is in a roadworthy condition, you will not have a claim against the seller unless they gave a misleading description of the vehicle. For example, they might have said it was in first class condition, had one careful owner, or was totally perfect, when none of this is true.
If you bought the vehicle from a dealer and they gave you a misleading description, they may have committed a criminal offence.
If you bought the vehicle from a private seller and they gave you a misleading description, it may be possible to take legal action against them.
If the repair has been badly carried out, your rights will depend on whether you bought the vehicle from a dealer, or from a private seller.
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Deposits
If you put a deposit on a vehicle and later decide not to buy it, you will not be able to get the money back unless the seller agreed that the deposit was returnable if you changed your mind, for example, after having an independent inspection done. If you change your mind before you get the vehicle, the seller can't force you to buy it.
In England and Wales, for more information about your right to cancel a contract to buy a second hand car from a dealer, see Second hand cars, in Consumer Fact Sheets.
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Further help
Retail Motor Industry Federation (England, Wales and Northern Ireland only)
Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI)
Conciliation services
9 North Street
Rugby
CV21 2AB
Tel: 01788 538317
Consumer helpline: 0845 758 5350 (Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.15pm)
Website: www.rmif.co.uk
The RMI is a trade association for the motor industry in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If the dealer that you bought your vehicle from is an RMI member, they must follow the RMI codes of practice on the motor industry.
If you have a complaint about a dealer who belongs to the RMI, the RMI may be able to help you sort it out through their conciliation or arbitration scheme. You must try to sort it out with the dealer first before asking the RMI for help.
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
Forbes House
Halkin Street
London
SW1X 7DS
Consumer Advice Line: 0870 7518270 or Textphone 020 7235 8278
Fax: 020 7235 7112
Website: www.smmt.co.uk
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is a trade association for motor manufacturers and of mechanical breakdown insurance companies that offer extended warranties. Members of SMMT must follow the SMMT codes of Practice. If you have a problem with a new car which is still under a manufacturer's guarantee or extended warranty, and have been unable to resolve it, contact the SMMT. The SMMT operate an impartial conciliation service and arbitration scheme.
Scottish Motor Trade Association
Palmerston House
10 The Loan
South Queensferry
EH30 9NS
Tel: 0131 331 5510
Fax: 0131 331 4296
E-mail: info@smta.co.uk
Website: www.smta.co.uk
Members of the Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA) must follow the Code of Practice for the Motor Industry. The SMTA operates an internal conciliation service, and an independent arbitration scheme.
Consumer Direct
Tel: 0845 404 0506
Website: www.consumerdirect.org.uk
Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, supported by the Office of Fair Trading and local authority Trading Standards services. The advice and information is free, but telephone calls to Consumer Direct are charged at 0845 prices. Consumer Direct is available in England, Scotland and Wales.
Consumer Direct can help you sort out a problem with a trader or to make a complaint. It can also explain your consumer rights and direct you to other bodies such as trade associations or Trading Standards if these are better able to resolve your consumer problem.
Consumerline (Northern Ireland only)
Tel: 0845 600 6262
Website: www.consumerline.org
Consumerline is a telephone and online consumer advice service supported by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
The advice and information is free, but telephone calls to Consumerline are charged at 0845 prices.
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