Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Legal matters

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Original poster

Car help

19 replies

Lollyjack · 12/05/2026 08:29

I bought a used car on 25/04/26. When driving Hope a warning light appeared and advised me to stop as it was overheating. I stopped and called the car sales man. He advised it probably needed coolant so
i I added this but over the next few days the coolant level kept going down and once again the warning came on to stop as it was overheating heating.
the car sales man advised they would take it back to fix it which he did on 28/04/26. 6 days later I was advised the car was fixed and I could pick it up. 4 days after collecting the car I checked the coolant levels to find it was very low again.
I have called the cars sales man again asking for a refund he is now refusing. Can someone please help me with how to resolve this o just want my money back now.

sorry for the long post I’m just trying to give as much info as I can.

OP posts:
FlamingoFloss · 12/05/2026 08:31

Under UK consumer law, if this was bought from a trader/dealer (not a private seller), the buyer is in quite a strong position.
The key law is the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Because the fault appeared almost immediately after purchase, the car is legally presumed to have been faulty at the time of sale unless the dealer can prove otherwise.
The important points are:

  • The buyer reported the overheating issue within days.
  • The dealer attempted one repair.
  • The same fault appears to still exist.
  • Within the first 30 days, the buyer can usually exercise the “short-term right to reject” and request a full refund if the vehicle is not of satisfactory quality.

The dealer does not get endless repair attempts during the first 30 days.
A good response to send the dealer would be something like:
“I am formally rejecting the vehicle under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The vehicle developed an overheating/coolant fault within days of purchase. You attempted a repair but the fault persists. As the vehicle is not of satisfactory quality and the repair has failed, I require a full refund within 14 days.”
Important advice:

  • Keep everything in writing now (text/email).
  • Do not continue driving the car if it is overheating.
  • Keep photos of coolant levels/warnings.
  • Keep invoices and timelines.
  • If finance was involved, contact the finance company immediately as they are jointly liable.

If the dealer refuses:

  1. Send a formal written rejection.
  2. Contact Citizens Advice_
  3. They may refer it to Trading Standards.
  4. The buyer can pursue the claim through small claims court if needed.
Original poster
Lollyjack · 12/05/2026 08:34

FlamingoFloss · 12/05/2026 08:31

Under UK consumer law, if this was bought from a trader/dealer (not a private seller), the buyer is in quite a strong position.
The key law is the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Because the fault appeared almost immediately after purchase, the car is legally presumed to have been faulty at the time of sale unless the dealer can prove otherwise.
The important points are:

  • The buyer reported the overheating issue within days.
  • The dealer attempted one repair.
  • The same fault appears to still exist.
  • Within the first 30 days, the buyer can usually exercise the “short-term right to reject” and request a full refund if the vehicle is not of satisfactory quality.

The dealer does not get endless repair attempts during the first 30 days.
A good response to send the dealer would be something like:
“I am formally rejecting the vehicle under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The vehicle developed an overheating/coolant fault within days of purchase. You attempted a repair but the fault persists. As the vehicle is not of satisfactory quality and the repair has failed, I require a full refund within 14 days.”
Important advice:

  • Keep everything in writing now (text/email).
  • Do not continue driving the car if it is overheating.
  • Keep photos of coolant levels/warnings.
  • Keep invoices and timelines.
  • If finance was involved, contact the finance company immediately as they are jointly liable.

If the dealer refuses:

  1. Send a formal written rejection.
  2. Contact Citizens Advice_
  3. They may refer it to Trading Standards.
  4. The buyer can pursue the claim through small claims court if needed.
Edited

the car was bought from a buisiness. I have only had the car for 16 days and 6 of those he had it for repair.

OP posts:
VanCleefArpels · 12/05/2026 08:42

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/buying-or-repairing-a-car/problems-with-a-used-car/

this has all the info you need including a template letter (assuming England / look up Welsh or Scottish equivalent pages if relevant). Keep everything in writing including following up phone calls (“further to our conversation today, I am writing to confirm I told you….. you said you would…..”)

Problem with a used car

Find out your rights if you've bought a used car and something has gone wrong. You may have a legal right to a repair, the cost of a repair, or some or all of your money back.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/buying-or-repairing-a-car/problems-with-a-used-car/

Original poster
Lollyjack · 12/05/2026 08:49

VanCleefArpels · 12/05/2026 08:42

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/buying-or-repairing-a-car/problems-with-a-used-car/

this has all the info you need including a template letter (assuming England / look up Welsh or Scottish equivalent pages if relevant). Keep everything in writing including following up phone calls (“further to our conversation today, I am writing to confirm I told you….. you said you would…..”)

Thank you.

OP posts:
Shade17 · 12/05/2026 21:44

FlamingoFloss · 12/05/2026 08:31

Under UK consumer law, if this was bought from a trader/dealer (not a private seller), the buyer is in quite a strong position.
The key law is the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Because the fault appeared almost immediately after purchase, the car is legally presumed to have been faulty at the time of sale unless the dealer can prove otherwise.
The important points are:

  • The buyer reported the overheating issue within days.
  • The dealer attempted one repair.
  • The same fault appears to still exist.
  • Within the first 30 days, the buyer can usually exercise the “short-term right to reject” and request a full refund if the vehicle is not of satisfactory quality.

The dealer does not get endless repair attempts during the first 30 days.
A good response to send the dealer would be something like:
“I am formally rejecting the vehicle under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The vehicle developed an overheating/coolant fault within days of purchase. You attempted a repair but the fault persists. As the vehicle is not of satisfactory quality and the repair has failed, I require a full refund within 14 days.”
Important advice:

  • Keep everything in writing now (text/email).
  • Do not continue driving the car if it is overheating.
  • Keep photos of coolant levels/warnings.
  • Keep invoices and timelines.
  • If finance was involved, contact the finance company immediately as they are jointly liable.

If the dealer refuses:

  1. Send a formal written rejection.
  2. Contact Citizens Advice_
  3. They may refer it to Trading Standards.
  4. The buyer can pursue the claim through small claims court if needed.
Edited

Once you’ve formally notified them that you’re rejecting it you need to stop using it immediately.

Original poster
Lollyjack · 13/05/2026 05:57

Thank you for qll
your help. So I had an ACE report done as he requested. The garage advised that the car is not fit for purpose and that the faults were present when I purchased the car. The sales man is now saying it’s wear and talent and wasn’t present when I purchased the car and I need to g through Aa mediation and or small claims court in the meantime I’ve been advised not to drive the car 🤬🤬.

OP posts:
Shade17 · 13/05/2026 06:35

Lollyjack · 13/05/2026 05:57

Thank you for qll
your help. So I had an ACE report done as he requested. The garage advised that the car is not fit for purpose and that the faults were present when I purchased the car. The sales man is now saying it’s wear and talent and wasn’t present when I purchased the car and I need to g through Aa mediation and or small claims court in the meantime I’ve been advised not to drive the car 🤬🤬.

Did they tell you exactly what’s causing the coolant loss?

Original poster
Lollyjack · 13/05/2026 06:36

Shade17 · 13/05/2026 06:35

Did they tell you exactly what’s causing the coolant loss?

Show quote history

Yes there is leak behind the engine that has been there for a while as it’s now crystallized.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lollyjack · 13/05/2026 06:37

Lollyjack · 13/05/2026 06:36

Yes there is leak behind the engine that has been there for a while as it’s now crystallized.

Show quote history

Sorry at the back of the engine not behind.

OP posts:
Shade17 · 14/05/2026 07:55

Lollyjack · 13/05/2026 06:37

Sorry at the back of the engine not behind.

Show quote history

But did they say exactly where? It might be worth getting a quote to fix it.

Original poster
Lollyjack · 14/05/2026 07:59

Shade17 · 14/05/2026 07:55

But did they say exactly where? It might be worth getting a quote to fix it.

Show quote history

No it has been in already to where I bought it to be fixed and I have been advised it was there long before I bought it as the coolant has crystallized. When the diagnostics was done on it it also brought many faults. I am now gout g through the motor ombudsman and AA mediation. Thank you for your help.

OP posts:
SecretSweetStash · 14/05/2026 08:05

@Lollyjack I also learned the hard way too to always have an independent inspection report done before buying the car. I am very upfront with sales people now about it that I will be getting an AA inspection done as I am not a mechanic.

30 years ago when I bought my first car it had to be returned due to a fault that they would have known about as it was a dealership who claimed they did 110 checks or something so you could trust them. Turns out, I couldn't. So either they didn't do the 110 checks on the car or they did and still tried to sell it. I loved that car as well.

It is shit that they won't just accept that car back, idiots. Good luck with the mediation.

Original poster
Lollyjack · 14/05/2026 08:07

SecretSweetStash · 14/05/2026 08:05

@Lollyjack I also learned the hard way too to always have an independent inspection report done before buying the car. I am very upfront with sales people now about it that I will be getting an AA inspection done as I am not a mechanic.

30 years ago when I bought my first car it had to be returned due to a fault that they would have known about as it was a dealership who claimed they did 110 checks or something so you could trust them. Turns out, I couldn't. So either they didn't do the 110 checks on the car or they did and still tried to sell it. I loved that car as well.

It is shit that they won't just accept that car back, idiots. Good luck with the mediation.

its awful
that they can just get away with this. I’ve had to go buy another car and have SORN this one so it’s not even being driven now. Thank you

OP posts:
SecretSweetStash · 14/05/2026 08:12

@Lollyjack I just wanted you to know you are not alone and also raise awareness to anyone considering buying a car to get a check done. In a way I was lucky it was my first car but it did tarnish the whole experience and I just went back to getting the bus to work for a few days.

They actually upgraded the car so I got a more expensive car because they were worried I would report them to trading standards. I know that now but at the time I was young and happy that I got a newer car! Grin I didn't even know I could report them.

I hope you get sorted soon.

VanCleefArpels · 14/05/2026 09:19

Have you reported the seller to trading standards?

Original poster
Lollyjack · 14/05/2026 10:23

VanCleefArpels · 14/05/2026 09:19

Have you reported the seller to trading standards?

I have spoken to citizens advice and I have to give 7 days from the date I reported and if I don’t get a resolution they will report them for me.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lollyjack · 14/05/2026 10:24

SecretSweetStash · 14/05/2026 08:12

@Lollyjack I just wanted you to know you are not alone and also raise awareness to anyone considering buying a car to get a check done. In a way I was lucky it was my first car but it did tarnish the whole experience and I just went back to getting the bus to work for a few days.

They actually upgraded the car so I got a more expensive car because they were worried I would report them to trading standards. I know that now but at the time I was young and happy that I got a newer car! Grin I didn't even know I could report them.

I hope you get sorted soon.

Thank you.

OP posts:
Shade17 · 14/05/2026 19:54

Lollyjack · 14/05/2026 07:59

No it has been in already to where I bought it to be fixed and I have been advised it was there long before I bought it as the coolant has crystallized. When the diagnostics was done on it it also brought many faults. I am now gout g through the motor ombudsman and AA mediation. Thank you for your help.

Show quote history

Was just a thought, sometimes it can be easier to just sort things rather than go through all the stress and hassle, not that you should have to. Also depends on what the other things were, most cars will have some faults when scanned.

Original poster
Lollyjack · 14/05/2026 21:30

Shade17 · 14/05/2026 19:54

Was just a thought, sometimes it can be easier to just sort things rather than go through all the stress and hassle, not that you should have to. Also depends on what the other things were, most cars will have some faults when scanned.

Show quote history

I appreciate all the help from everyone so thank you. Some of the other faults found we safety faults.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page