What are my rights re refund for secondhand car

[71wheretogo]

I bought a car 9 days ago which has flashed up an error to do with the gearbox. The dealer says it's just a sensor and wants itinerary for repair but I think it might be a sign of a rather more serious problem down the line and just want to return the car and get a refund. I think the problemwas already thete (it's intermittent) and I would not have bought it if that message had come up on the test drive. Can anyone help?

As you bought the car from a dealer it must be of satisfactory condition given its age and mileage, meet any description you were given when buying it and be fit for purpose. Assuming the fault is not one you would expect in a car of this age and mileage you can reject it and get your money back. If you want to go down this route you must tell the dealer you are rejecting the car and stop using it. The dealer is legally obliged to give you a full refund.

Thank you. I need to get home (am on holiday - 2 night camping break with dd) tomorrow and then should I ring them and say I am rejecting the car? I don't want to return the car till I have my money back though?

then should I ring them and say I am rejecting the car

Yes.

I don't want to return the car till I have my money back though

I understand but you must stop using it. If you keep using it the dealer can say that you haven't rejected it.

OK, so shall I say that I have stopped using it and they can come and fetch it? (Obviously I need to get home tomorrow though, first). Do I let them take the car before I get a refund?

Up to you how you approach this. They'll find it very difficult to argue they don't owe you a full refund if they take the car. But some used car dealers can be very difficult.

I see. Just wondering whether to take the car to them and leave it there or keep it at home while trying to negotiate for a refund. What do you think is best? Sorry for all the questions, am just so worried about putting a step wrong...

How many miles have you done?

How old is the car, is it running OK aside from the error?

It's 3 years old and I have also noticed on this trip (first drive on motorway) that it has significant wheel / steering wobble when going above 60 miles an hour. On the test drive we couldn't go that speed because there wasn't enough petrol in the car, but we thought they were a reputable dealer so wouldn't be trying to rip us off!

We've probably done 200 miles in it.

Quick update - dealer will refund - no quibbling at all.