We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Consumer Rights Act 2015, England success stories?

Hi, curious to hear of other people's experiences of successfully utilising this act for a lemon of a car (which I admittedly never heard of, up until recently - new driver learning curve).

I understand you’re under the burden to prove that the dealership sold you the car in any unsatisfactory state, if after 6 months (I think).

What steps did one take to prove this, and what was the outcome? Or do you think small claims is a better route in the event of a missold car? I have had a gander at the consumer rights forum, seems like mainly electronics and the such.

I have a Peugeot that has given me problems (mix of bad luck and a garage that, i have since found out, has a history of constantly opening LTD companies once they fall foul of bad reviews), and my mechanic mentioned CRA in passing as he suspects I'll run into more issues down the line :(
«1

Comments

  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 23,755 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Sixth Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 4 November 2025 at 4:33PM
    Hi, curious to hear of other people's experiences of successfully utilising this act for a lemon of a car (which I admittedly never heard of, up until recently - new driver learning curve).

    I understand you’re under the burden to prove that the dealership sold you the car in any unsatisfactory state, if after 6 months (I think).

    What steps did one take to prove this, and what was the outcome? Or do you think small claims is a better route in the event of a missold car? I have had a gander at the consumer rights forum, seems like mainly electronics and the such.

    I have a Peugeot that has given me problems (mix of bad luck and a garage that, i have since found out, has a history of constantly opening LTD companies once they fall foul of bad reviews), and my mechanic mentioned CRA in passing as he suspects I'll run into more issues down the line :(
    CRA & small claims is only any good if they are still trading. Which form the sounds of the post is something they will avoid by simply closing down.
    Life in the slow lane
  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 18,613 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 4 November 2025 at 4:33PM
    Hi, curious to hear of other people's experiences of successfully utilising this act for a lemon of a car (which I admittedly never heard of, up until recently - new driver learning curve).

    I understand you’re under the burden to prove that the dealership sold you the car in any unsatisfactory state, if after 6 months (I think).

    What steps did one take to prove this, and what was the outcome? Or do you think small claims is a better route in the event of a missold car? I have had a gander at the consumer rights forum, seems like mainly electronics and the such.

    I have a Peugeot that has given me problems (mix of bad luck and a garage that, i have since found out, has a history of constantly opening LTD companies once they fall foul of bad reviews), and my mechanic mentioned CRA in passing as he suspects I'll run into more issues down the line :(
    The courts are just the way of enforcing your rights under the CRA.

    Given your rights are with the merchant that sold you the goods... does the company still exist? If its been shut down already then your rights disappeared with the company unless you got a personal guarantee from the director which would be highly unusual in a B2C relationship.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 10 Posts
    edited 4 November 2025 at 4:33PM
    Hi, curious to hear of other people's experiences of successfully utilising this act for a lemon of a car (which I admittedly never heard of, up until recently - new driver learning curve).

    I understand you’re under the burden to prove that the dealership sold you the car in any unsatisfactory state, if after 6 months (I think).

    What steps did one take to prove this, and what was the outcome? Or do you think small claims is a better route in the event of a missold car? I have had a gander at the consumer rights forum, seems like mainly electronics and the such.

    I have a Peugeot that has given me problems (mix of bad luck and a garage that, i have since found out, has a history of constantly opening LTD companies once they fall foul of bad reviews), and my mechanic mentioned CRA in passing as he suspects I'll run into more issues down the line :(
    The courts are just the way of enforcing your rights under the CRA.

    Given your rights are with the merchant that sold you the goods... does the company still exist? If its been shut down already then your rights disappeared with the company unless you got a personal guarantee from the director which would be highly unusual in a B2C relationship.
    Thanks for responding.

    I read on trading stnds website that trader has to show it wasn't faulty when they sold it or for me to prove it was. It says I can get a mechanic to independently verify there was a problem when vehicle was sold, so I guess I was intrigued on how they do that.

    Already paid to fix pipes and battery. New problems incl alternator- mechanic believes there is a broken connection, emissions are high and it keeps saying my coolant/oil is too low but I checked, and it seems like a sensor issue

    And yes they're still in their current LTD company (just about). Recent reviews shows people taking them to court too.
  • Undervalued
    Undervalued Posts: 9,881 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 4 November 2025 at 4:33PM
    Hi, curious to hear of other people's experiences of successfully utilising this act for a lemon of a car (which I admittedly never heard of, up until recently - new driver learning curve).

    I understand you’re under the burden to prove that the dealership sold you the car in any unsatisfactory state, if after 6 months (I think).

    What steps did one take to prove this, and what was the outcome? Or do you think small claims is a better route in the event of a missold car? I have had a gander at the consumer rights forum, seems like mainly electronics and the such.

    I have a Peugeot that has given me problems (mix of bad luck and a garage that, i have since found out, has a history of constantly opening LTD companies once they fall foul of bad reviews), and my mechanic mentioned CRA in passing as he suspects I'll run into more issues down the line :(
    The courts are just the way of enforcing your rights under the CRA.

    Given your rights are with the merchant that sold you the goods... does the company still exist? If its been shut down already then your rights disappeared with the company unless you got a personal guarantee from the director which would be highly unusual in a B2C relationship.
    Thanks for responding.

    I read on trading stnds website that trader has to show it wasn't faulty when they sold it or for me to prove it was. It says I can get a mechanic to independently verify there was a problem when vehicle was sold, so I guess I was intrigued on how they do that.

    Already paid to fix pipes and battery. New problems incl alternator- mechanic believes there is a broken connection, emissions are high and it keeps saying my coolant/oil is too low but I checked, and it seems like a sensor issue

    And yes they're still in their current LTD company (just about). Recent reviews shows people taking them to court too.
    Maybe but you have got to take an objective view as to whether they still will be a going concern with sufficient assets to pay you by the time the court process and any dodging around enforcement has taken place.

    If not you will simply be throwing good money after bad in court fees plus bailiff / HCEO charges. They are not always as successful as the TV programs suggest.

    A bit of a simplification but there is an old saying "Never sue those who can't or won't pay".

    Sorry, not what you want to hear I know. 
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 26,942 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Forget about suing the limited company. Did you pay for the car with a loan/by credit card? Even just a small percentage? 
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 10 Posts
    edited 29 December 2024 at 7:11PM
    GDB2222 said:
    Forget about suing the limited company. Did you pay for the car with a loan/by credit card? Even just a small percentage? 
    Just the deposit. The bank forgot to run the chargeback!! Just my luck
  • That's a different one, but I will check it!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 10 Posts
    edited 4 November 2025 at 4:33PM
    Hi, curious to hear of other people's experiences of successfully utilising this act for a lemon of a car (which I admittedly never heard of, up until recently - new driver learning curve).

    I understand you’re under the burden to prove that the dealership sold you the car in any unsatisfactory state, if after 6 months (I think).

    What steps did one take to prove this, and what was the outcome? Or do you think small claims is a better route in the event of a missold car? I have had a gander at the consumer rights forum, seems like mainly electronics and the such.

    I have a Peugeot that has given me problems (mix of bad luck and a garage that, i have since found out, has a history of constantly opening LTD companies once they fall foul of bad reviews), and my mechanic mentioned CRA in passing as he suspects I'll run into more issues down the line :(
    The courts are just the way of enforcing your rights under the CRA.

    Given your rights are with the merchant that sold you the goods... does the company still exist? If its been shut down already then your rights disappeared with the company unless you got a personal guarantee from the director which would be highly unusual in a B2C relationship.
    Thanks for responding.

    I read on trading stnds website that trader has to show it wasn't faulty when they sold it or for me to prove it was. It says I can get a mechanic to independently verify there was a problem when vehicle was sold, so I guess I was intrigued on how they do that.

    Already paid to fix pipes and battery. New problems incl alternator- mechanic believes there is a broken connection, emissions are high and it keeps saying my coolant/oil is too low but I checked, and it seems like a sensor issue

    And yes they're still in their current LTD company (just about). Recent reviews shows people taking them to court too.
    Maybe but you have got to take an objective view as to whether they still will be a going concern with sufficient assets to pay you by the time the court process and any dodging around enforcement has taken place.

    If not you will simply be throwing good money after bad in court fees plus bailiff / HCEO charges. They are not always as successful as the TV programs suggest.

    A bit of a simplification but there is an old saying "Never sue those who can't or won't pay".

    Sorry, not what you want to hear I know. 
    Understandable - I wondered, actually, would it be the cost of filing in small claims that is the initial fee? I assume so
  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 23,755 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Sixth Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 4 November 2025 at 4:33PM
    GDB2222 said:
    Forget about suing the limited company. Did you pay for the car with a loan/by credit card? Even just a small percentage? 
    Just the deposit. The bank forgot to run the chargeback!! Just my luck
    In which case of bank error you would be entitled to a refund of the money.
    Or is it a case that there was no actual chargeback reason they could use, in which case no refund due.
    Life in the slow lane
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.4K Life & Family
  • 261.5K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.