Approved used cars, or certified pre-owned cars (CPOs) as they can sometimes be known, are cars sold with a stamp of assurance from the manufacturer. Often in immaculate condition, approved used cars tend to have low mileage and get sold via the dealership with some of the perks of a new car, such as warranty.
The ‘used car’ market as such is really many different products and methods of buying and selling. As a collection of lots of pre-owned cars, some almost new, some very old, it can be a minefield for those not especially interested in cars or confident and experienced in buying and selling vehicles regularly.
While buying privately can be a little bit cheaper than buying approved used, it can also be riskier. You have no idea of the real mechanical condition of the vehicle, since used cars tend to be sold with the bare minimum of warranty for trading standards reasons. Dodgy traders may deflect responsibility for a bad car with phrases like ‘sold as seen’ implying that you drive it, you like it, you take it that’s the end of their deal. On older cars, they’re not far wrong.
Wear and tear and ‘reasonable expectations’ mean that should anything minor happen after a couple of months, with cars over five years old that have done 60-70,000 miles, there’s little comeback – certainly not without effort. Approved-used means there’s a contract and agreement to fix cars beyond that reasonable expectation, in most cases.
In general, a car comes to be an approved used car by way of part-exchange at the dealership or via returns from PCP finance and fleet leases after the first 12 to 36 months. The cars they offer to part-ex and resell through a manufacturer’s approved used car scheme are cherry picked, so they won’t just be any old tat. Ultimately, it’s about peace-of-mind.
What does approved used car mean exactly?
While many of us would love to buy a car from new, the truth is, it’s an expensive purchase. Perhaps your lifestyle or budget doesn’t justify spending so much on a vehicle. It’s reasonable to still want the assurances that your new (used) motor isn’t going to fall apart the minute you hand over your hard-earned cash and drive off. Legislation to protect consumers has made buying a used car less risky since 2015, but approved schemes still carry the perception that they offer a higher quality experience.
An approved used car is one that has all its servicing and parts rigorously checked by the manufacturer’s official agent, the official dealership. There is often a warranty of a set period to provide further assurance that the vehicle, while used, is in great condition — if not, there won’t be any additional cost to the new owner.
Manufacturers will throw in other things too, to sweeten the deal. For example, most manufacturers will offer ‘drive-away’ insurance from 24 hours to 30 days, giving you more time to sort the admin for your new motor and shop around for the best price.
Is it worth buying an approved used car?
Buying an approved used car can be worth it, yes. Essentially, it’s about buying peace-of-mind. It’s a financial safety net that if something drops off or conks out within months of ownership, there’s not going to be a hefty bill with your name on.
While some independent dealerships may not have the official seal of approval from the manufacturer, they may have returned a car to good condition using genuine parts, and offer a period of warranty to compete with the Approved Used schemes. Most offer ‘mechanical breakdown insurance’ type policies which are not as comprehensive however.
Manufacturers will argue that without their brand certification, there’s no guarantee a particular dealer is trustworthy. Though nine times out of 10, that independent will have need to keep web recommendations and word-of-mouth reputation as clean as a whistle, if they want their business to flourish.
Can you get finance on approved used cars?
In the succinct words of Volkswagen, ‘You can finance your used car just as you can with a new car.’ In fact, manufacturers are keen to get you to sign up to finance your car. After all, what’s not to love about another opportunity to sell a car and make a bit extra from the loan they offer you to buy it with?
The rates can be pretty competitive, though it’s also worth contacting your bank for a personal loan, stating it’s for a car. Often the terms and interest rates can be a bit cheaper.
Things to be aware of:
- If you’re buying an approved used car that’s still within its original warranty period, often whatever period is left is included in the 12 months’ warranty given by the dealer
- Some schemes offer an opportunity to extend the warranty
- Warranty and servicing elements of approved used agreements often require you to use only official brand retailers and workshops
- If the nearest dealer to you isn’t local, it could end up costing you extra to make the journeys to get repairs done, so as to not invalidate the contract
A list of Approved Used car schemes
What if I’m buying an approved used van?
If you’re buying a commercial vehicle, the approved used car scheme may broaden to include those types of vehicles, or there may be a dedicated Approved Used Commercial Vehicles scheme. The latter tend to have slightly different warranty terms, such as coverage expiring beyond a certain mileage rather than a specified age. The scope of vehicles sold is usually narrower as well, focusing on low mileage, recent examples.
| Approved used vans and pickups | New brands without schemes |
|---|---|
| Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall (also Toyota) | BYD |
| Ford | Chevrolet Corvette |
| LEVC (VN5 van, TX Taxi) | Fisker |
| Isuzu | GWM (Ora) |
| Mercedes-Benz | Lucid |
| Renault and Nissan | Nio |
| Volkswagen | Zeekr |
All approved-used schemes listed here offer the following as a bare minimum. Further below, you’ll see the features each brand offers in addition to this basic scheme, or where they have placed limits on models or mileage covered:
- A multi-point hardware and software check by technicians trained for that brand’s vehicles
- Genuine Parts with a minimum 12-month warranty
- 12-month roadside assistance
- MOT Test cover – when you come to test your vehicle, anything the vehicle fails on is covered by the dealer, usually up to the value of £750
- Independently certified history and mileage
Alfa Romeo Certified
Alfa Romeo is part of the Stellantis group, and its cars are available via the Spoticar approved used scheme. There is an individual programme, called Alfa Romeo Certified, which provides an easy route to finding the best used Alfa Romeos.
- Up to 24 month warranty
- 12-month Roadside Assistance, including recovery, at home and onward travel.
- 30-day exchange promise
- Full details of Alfa Romeo Certified
Aston Martin Timeless Pre-Owned
- Unlimited mileage under warranty
- Preferential rates on accessory purchases
- 12-month subscription to AM Magazine
- Any service due within three months or 3,000 Miles* (for cars over two years old)
- Full details of Aston Martin Timeless certified pre-owned package
Audi Approved Used
- Warranty for vehicles up to eight years old
- 149 checks
- Key cover
- 30-day / 1,000 Miles no quibble exchange
- Five day complimentary Audi Driveaway insurance
- Full details of Audi Approved Used
Bentley Certified Pre-Owned
Bentley’s Certified scheme is remarkably average in terms of what it offers buyers over the basic assumptions of an approved-used scheme, but it can – theoretically – include older models.
- Preferential rates on accessory purchases
- 12-month subscription to Bentley Magazine
- Full details of Bentley’s certified pre-owned package
BMW Used Approved
- Future servicing by subscription; as part of the pay monthly plan you’ll also get a number of additional benefits such as a free MOT, free map updates, health checks, wash and vacuums, and fluid top ups.
- Three-step buy-online process
- Five-day driveaway insurance
- Full details of BMW approved used
Citroen, Peugeot, Jeep, Fiat, Abarth, and Vauxhall
Citroen Select, Peugeot used cars and Network Q from Vauxhall are now under one brand, Spoticar. This umbrella used-car programme covers most models from Stellantis, meaning you can also find vehicles from Jeep, Fiat and Abarth.
It offers a comprehensive online car sales platform as well as consistent dealer experiences. To see how effective the scheme is, we’re running a used Fiat 500e supplied via the Spoticar scheme.
- 12-month Roadside Assistance, including recovery, at home and onward travel.
- 30-day exchange promise
- Full details of Spoticar’s multi-brand approved-used scheme
Dacia Approved Used
Dacia’s approved used scheme is impressive for a budget brand. Affordable pre-owned cars with a minimum 12-month warranty, competitive finance and extras comparable with some premium marques.
- Five-day drive away insurance
- 30-day / 1,000 mile exchange policy (including car not suitable for needs)
- Full details of Dacia Approved Used
DS Automobiles
For now, the premium brand from Stellantis remains separate from the group-wide Spoticar scheme. DS Certified offers the full range of DS models including hybrid and electric options. It’s still quite dealer-centric, rather than a completely online experience.
- Up to 24 month warranty
- Up to 24 month Roadside Assistance, including recovery, at home and onward travel.
- 30-day/1,000 mile fault-based exchange promise
- Full details of DS Certified approved used
Ferrari Approved Programme
Remarkably, Ferrari is very down-to-earth about its used cars. The approved programme is unpretentiously presented and sounds very similar to other luxury marques. However, the main benefit of a car that meets Ferrari’s standards is that will will, as long as it continues to be maintained within the dealer network, qualify for an astonishing 15-year unlimited-mileage service activated warranty called Power15.
- 201-point check
- Unlimited mileage two-year warranty in addition to any remaining factory warranty
- Comprehensive breakdown cover including repatriation/EU recovery
- Full details of the Ferrari approved-used scheme and qualifying cars for sale
Ford approved used schemes
Ford has two schemes; Ford Direct, which deals with nearly-new models that have been refurbished/prepped by Ford. Ford Direct also offers commercial vehicles. Ford Approved covers a wide range of used cars and is generally offered by dealers.
Ford Direct
- Two-year unlimited mileage warranty
- Two-year Ford Assistance – roadside recovery
- 30-day exchange plan
- Identified by a tamper proof hologram
- Three-day driveaway insurance, subject to eligibility
- Finance from Ford Credit
- Full details of Ford Direct
Ford Approved
- Up to 24 months warranty
- 12-24 months roadside assistance
- Balance of manufacturer’s warranty
- 30-day exchange plan for cars and 14 days for commercial vehicles
- 75 Point Inspection
- Three-day driveaway insurance, subject to eligibility
- Full service history
Genesis pre-owned
Genesis is a new brand in the UK and is yet to offer an approved-used programme. Elsewhere in the world pre-owned Genesis cars follow the same warranty and resale benefits as parent company Hyundai (below).
Honda Approved Used
Honda’s scheme covers cars up to eight years old.
- The basic assumptions of approved-used cover most of what Honda offers
- 30-day / 1,000 mile exchange policy (defects only)
- Full details of Honda approved used
Hyundai Promise and Approved Used
Hyundai offer two levels of approved-used package. Promise applies on vehicles up to 42 months or 60,000 miles (36 months/60,000 miles for electrified models), while approved used is available up to eight years old or 80,000 miles (electrified cars up to seven years old).
- Five-year manufacturer warranty (Hyundai Promise)
- 30-day / 1,000 miles exchange agreement
- £250 excess voucher can be used to help you reduce the insurance costs by providing a contribution towards any excess should a claim be made under your insurance.
- Full details of Hyundai’s approved used schemes
Jaguar Approved Used
- 165-point Check
- Seven-day insurance policy takes away the hassle of arranging insurance before picking up your approved used Jaguar or Land Rover, including a non-obligatory motor insurance quote for one year
- Bespoke packages for the electric Jaguar i-Pace
- Full details of Jaguar approved used
Kia Approved
Kia limits approved-used cars to age and mileage that many manufacturers would class as nearly-new. This allows it to offer an unmatched seven-year warranty – comparable with new models.
- Hand-picked, less than 20 months old and have covered less than 20,000 miles.
- Seven-year warranty from the day you drive away
- Kia insurance quote offers free driveaway insurance, with a free one-year excess return voucher to save you up to £250 if you make a motor claim. subject to eligibility.
- Full details of Kia’s approved used package
Land Rover Approved Used
Land Rover’s approved used programme follows that of sibling brand Jaguar.
- 165-point Check
- 30-day / 1,000 mile satisfaction guarantee
- Seven-day insurance policy takes away the hassle of arranging insurance before picking up your approved used Land Rover, including a non-obligatory motor insurance quote for one year
- Full details of Land Rover approved used
LEVC Approved Used
LEVC is best known for making the London Taxi in its latest plug-in electric range extender form. It also offers the VN5 van based on the same technology, a compact, agile medium van with a relatively high price. This makes an approved-used one worth pursuing.
Dealers tend to be small and specialised, so the approved-used package appears quite variable but worth exploring. Taxi warranties reflect the high-mileage, hard life of the vehicles. The VN5 drivetrain warranty can be extended to eight years and 200,000 miles including the battery, six years for the whole vehicle.
- Vehicles available from stock
- Extended warranty options – typically a minimum of three years remaining
- MOT and service minimum standard
- Background check and mileage verification
- Example vehicles on the LEVC approved used website
Lotus Approved Used
Once notorious for reliability issues, Lotus quality has improved dramatically and with a new, full range of electric models on the way the dealers have an approved used scheme to offer. The specialist nature of Lotus cars means models as old as 2009 may qualify, with retail prices to match the benefits over a private sale.
- All the benefits here plus:
- Total warranty claims up to the cost of the used vehicle
- OEM-spec new for old parts replacement
- 10-mile test drive by technician in addition to checks
- Full details of the Lotus approved used scheme and qualifying cars for sale
Maserati Certified Pre-Owned
Complex, highly-tuned and historically, rather fragile, Maserati bridge the gap between Italian supercar performance and traditional luxury. The recent cars are more robust, but still don’t do well if neglected so the approved used scheme is well worth using if you want some reassurance when buying a used Maserati.
The scheme covers cars up to five years old that meet strict criteria for history and maintenance. One of the advantages of an approved-used qualifying car is that it should also be eligible for ‘Maserati Extra10‘ – a service-activated 10-year, unlimited mileage warranty.
- 121-point check
- Unlimited mileage two-year warranty in addition to any remaining factory warranty
- Comprehensive breakdown cover including repatriation/EU recovery
- Full details of the Maserati approved used scheme and qualifying cars for sale
Mazda Approved Used
Mazda’s scheme covers cars up to any age. Like most schemes, the main benefit is an unlimited-mileage 12-month warranty. It’s the only scheme that covers cars regardless of how old they are.
- 30-day / 1,000 mile exchange policy (defects only)
- Driveaway insurance
- MOT cover
- Full details of Mazda approved used
Mercedes Benz Approved Used
Historically Mercedes-Benz has offered excellent after-sales service reflecting the quality and reputation the brand earned over decades. A lot of the advantages previous Mercedes owners have enjoyed are no longer part of the package – such as the Mobilo Life warranty which in theory covered rust from manufacturing defects for 30 years. On cars where this warranty applies and they have a full Mercedes dealer service history, it is still worth seeking out.
- Unlimited mileage warranty
- Discounted servicecare extensions for two, three or four years
- Mercedes Benz Owners Club rewards
- Seven-day driveaway insurance
- Key insurance
- Flexible finance
- Full details of Mercedes-Benz approved used
MG Approved Used
MG relies on dealers to define the approved-used benefits, so the overall package can vary. Most used MG cars sold under the approved-used banner will have qualified for a seven-year warranty when new – most packages we have seen advertised simply rely on this warranty.
- 130-point check (typically)
- Balance of 12-month breakdown cover on cars less than a year old
- Balance of seven-year warranty up to 80,000 miles
- One of the few schemes with affordable used electric cars on offer
Mini Approved Used
- MOT cover for the duration of the warranty
- 24-month warranty on many replacement parts
- Warranty includes exhaust and battery
- Full service history
- Finance and insurance available through Mini Financial Services
- Full details of Mini approved used
Nissan Approved Used
Nissan has one of the longest-running approved used electric car schemes, having launched the Nissan Leaf in 2011 in the UK. Used Nissans are sold under the ‘Intelligent Choice’ banner, including commercial vehicles.
- Vehicles under 10 years old and 100,00 miles
- 100-point check
- 12-24 month additional warranty option
- Competitive finance inclding PCP offers
- Minimum battery performance guarantee
- Full details of Nissan Intelligent Choice
Polestar Certified Pre-Owned
Polestar is a relatively young brand but is, in essence, a spinoff from Volvo. Pre-owned sales are driven by an online platform and showroom, but the cars can be viewed at and collected from selected showrooms. Due to the age of the cars the certified scheme is primarily focused on ensuring condition and history are comparable to a nearly-new or ex-demonstration car.
- Polestar verifies mileage and accident history
- Balance of warranty, plus minimum breakdown cover of 24 months
- Leasing and other finance deals
- Occasional promotions for charging solutions
- Full details of Polestar’s approved used scheme
Porsche Approved Pre-Owned
Porsche’s approved pre-owned programme is unusual, in that it covers older cars while still maintaining a two year warranty. Porsche also offers classic cars through its online used cars portal. For many buyers the advantage of an approved used Porsche is bypassing build and wait times for a bespoke order.
- Minimum two-year warranty, roadside assistance
- Sports cars covered up to 15th year
- 111-point check
- Full details of Porsche Certified Pre-Owned
Renault Approved Used
Renault’s approved used scheme is unremarkable, but offers a broad range of affordable cars with a minimum 12-month warranty and competitive finance. Older low mileage cars are included.
Renault’s light commercial vehicles are offered on the same scheme.
- 30-day / 1,000 mile exchange policy (including car not suitable for needs)
- Full details of Renault approved used
Rolls-Royce Provenance Certified Pre-Owned
Rolls-Royce has an in-house Certified Pre-Owned scheme that ensures buyers of a used Rolls-Royce can enjoy the same luxury experience as purchasing new, including some aspects of the bespoke customisation and upgrades.
- 360-degree check and restoration to original specification
- Bespoke customisation options
- Minimum two-year warranty, servicing, roadside assistance
- Access to Rolls-Royce Whispers concierge service
- Full details of Rolls-Royce Provenance Certified Pre-Owned
SEAT Approved Used (including Cupra)
Perhaps unsurprisingly, SEAT’s approved used benefits closely mirror that of Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda.
- All the benefits here plus:
- Two-year warranty
- Two-year roadside assistance
- Two-year MOT cover where applicable
- 142 checks
- 30-day / 1,000 mile ‘no quibble’ exchange policy
- Occasional special offers on finance, comparable with new cars
- Five-day complimentary driveaway insurance
- Full details of SEAT’s approved used scheme
Skoda Approved Used
Skoda’s approved used-benefits share features with other Volkswagen Group brands. Cars are available from £4,995, up to 10 years old with lower mileages. Electric cars have a battery condition certificate and have to meet a minimum standard.
- Two-year warranty on selected finance packages
- Roadside assistance
- Over 100 checks
- 30-day / 1,000 mile ‘no quibble’ exchange policy
- Five-day complimentary driveaway insurance
- Full details of Skoda’s approved used scheme
Subaru Proven
Subaru calls its approved used scheme ‘Proven’, and focuses on inspection, provenance and presentation quality standards including bodywork refinishing and mechanical checks. Cars can be up to ten years or 80,000 miles old to be sold under this scheme.
- 30 day/1,000 mile exchange policy (defects only)
- Full details of Subaru Proven approved used
Suzuki Approved Used
Suzuki’s reputation for reliability means there’s a suitable approved used scheme. It’s worth noting that the Suzuki offers a similar ‘service activated warranty‘ to Toyota, though only up to seven years old even on Toyota-based models. However, some dealers offer ‘lifetime’ or 10-year warranties.
- Suzuki offers a 14-day refund policy – but your consumer rights may apply up to 30 days for defects
- Full details of Suzuki approved used
SsangYong used cars
SsangYong does not offer an approved used scheme, but has a network of smaller dealers who may offer bespoke packages and you can search the dealer network’s available cars online. SsangYong’s current range (excluding EVs) comes with a five-year, 100,000 mile warranty and this can be extended for a further two years at additional cost, matching the seven-year warranty offered on its electric cars.
Toyota Relax – used cars with a warranty
Toyota does have an approved used programme for pre-owned cars sold through its dealers, but the maximum 10-year/100,000 mile additional warranty can be applied to eligible second-hand Toyotas regardless of service history or point of sale. This same scheme applies to Lexus vehicles, which are offered under the Lexus Select approved used umbrella.
To qualify the car must be serviced at a main dealer and have no pre-existing faults, upon which the additional warranty applies until the next service interval (on cars with a two-year, 20,000 mile requirement the additional warranty is two years, otherwise 12 months).
- Vehicles are given a 150-point check, and meet the assumptions for approved-used schemes
- Approved-used Toyotas benefit from 10-year warranty
- Dealers sell cars already registered for the scheme
- Lexus offers a 14-day refund policy – but your consumer rights may apply up to 30 days for defects
- Competitive finance
Tesla Certified Pre-Owned
Tesla’s dealer network remains quite small, but the cars are available to buy online. Certified pre-owned is the name of Tesla’s approved used car scheme and it covers vehicles up to five years old and 80,000 miles.
- Tesla certified pre-owned cars are ‘refurbished’
- Software updates applied
- Background check including non-recorded damage or airbag deployment
- One-year / 10,000 mile warranty above any remaining warranty
- Balance of battery warranty
- Some models come with free supercharger miles (offers vary)
It’s worth noting that early Teslas with lifetime free charging retain this ability when sold privately or via third-party networks, but when refurbished by Tesla (or traded in to Tesla) that programme is removed.
VW Approved Used
Volkswagen has a strong approved-used programme that forms the basis of that offered by SEAT and Skoda as well.
- Two-year Volkswagen warranty
- Two-year Volkswagen roadside assistance
- Two-year MOT cover where applicable
- 142 checks
- 30-day / 1,000 mile ‘no quibble’ exchange policy
- Occasional special offers on finance, comparable with new cars
- Five-day complimentary Volkswagen driveaway insurance
- Full details of Volkswagen’s approved used scheme
Volvo Selekt
- Purchase from a dealer or direct from the manufacturer
- All vehicles are nearly new
- Finance available
- Volvo Selekt runs various deals at times, including extended warranties or discounted servicing.
- Check out the deals running at the time of purchase
Commercial vehicle approved used schemes
Some manufacturers offer approved used programs for vans and pickups, which could include motorhomes and larger van-based passenger cars. Here’s a guide to where the schemes differ from the mainstream offering from each manufacturer.
Isuzu commercial vehicles
Isuzu is unusual in that it only offers commercial vehicles in the UK, though as part of IM Group’s portfolio of brands, its UK representation is also responsible for marques such as Subaru and Great Wall Motors (GWM). If you are considering a used Isuzu D-Max pickup there is no overarching approved used scheme, but third party dealers may offer similar benefits in addition to your statutory rights.
Mercedes Benz Approved Used Vans
- All the benefits assumed for an approved-used car plus:
- No vans more than six years old
- Minimum three-month remaining MOT
- Seven-day driveaway insurance
- Discounted servicing
Spoticar for Vans
- Approved used commercial vehicles from Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall
- Spoticar also lists vans from all makes where available in the dealer network
- All are subject to thorough manufacturer-approved multi point checks
- Minimum 12-month warranty
- 12-month roadside assistance.
Volkwagen Approved Used Commercial Vehicles
The assumptions above don’t apply to the commercial vehicles side of VW’s Approved Used scheme, but the highlighted features are:
- If the used vehicle you buy is less than three years old, you will receive a 12-month warranty
- If it’s three to six years old, your warranty will last for six months
- If your vehicle’s less than two years old, it will include what’s left of the original factory warranty, which covers your vehicle until it reaches 100,000 miles or three years in age
- Vehicles over 6 years old are not eligible.
- 24/7 Roadside Assistance for duration of warranty
Buying from a brand that doesn’t have an approved-used scheme
Used electric cars from brands such as BYD and GWM (Ora Funky Cat) are available from larger dealer groups, generally as ex-demo or short lease stock. These cars aren’t backed by an approved-used scheme but should be covered by the balance of manufacturer warranty, qualifying for extended warranty options offered through the dealer network.
These brands aren’t yet old enough to retail pre-owned cars that are out of warranty, so the absence of an approved-used scheme is nothing to worry about.
Does an approved used car change your rights as a consumer?
Second-hand car dealers are notoriously difficult when problems arise with a used car, and approved-used packages seek to reassure buyers that they will have a pleasant experience. However, some of the benefits are presented in a way that appears generous, but actually limit your expectations as a buyer.
For example several approved used schemes mention a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy, promising to offer you a replacement car if yours develops a fault in that time. However, If you buy a recent, low-mileage car from any dealer you should not be required to accept an exchange during that timeframe if it is defective – you’re entitled to a full refund.
You are protected when buying a used car from a dealer ‘if it is of unsatisfactory quality, unfit for purpose or not as described’ by the short-term right to reject under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Legally, you have a have a 30-day, unlimited-mileage right to reject the car for a full refund should a problem occur. The act also protects consumers from unreasonable small print, so you cannot be coerced or tricked into signing your rights away.
You are not required to give them a chance to repair the issue within this 30 day period, but consumers are still bound by reasonable expectations, and do not have the right to reject a car just because they don’t like it.
- The word unsatisfactory is important. If a component such as a clutch or wheel bearing fails at the end of a reasonable service life, on a high mileage car sold at a low price, then it is satisfactory. If the service history on a 120,000 mile car says it has had a timing belt, you may reasonably expect that part to last until the next scheduled interval.
- Fit for purpose is generally simple to define; if the car cannot be driven, or you were sold a five-seater family car and the rear seat or seatbelts are defective, then it is not fit for purpose (though if the dealer disclosed these facts at the time of purchase you are not entitled to a refund).
- Finally, not as described is self-explanatory – but it does mean an honest dealer with a damaged or faulty car can sell it to you, as long as they disclose all known faults and defects. They are already protected by expectations of wear and tear on old high-mileage vehicles.
This legal protection only applies to defects that would have been present at point of sale – you can’t, for example, kerb a wheel or get a stonechip after purchase, then reject the car – though they would need to prove the condition of the car had changed.
After 30 days, should a defect become apparent before you have owned the car for six months you have to give the dealer one opportunity to repair the defect, and it is assumed that the defect will have been present when you bought the car. If the dealer cannot repair the car you can ask for a refund but they are entitled to deduct money for mileage and wear.
After six months the consumer has to prove the defect existed at the time of sale. Most approved-used schemes include a 12-month warranty and a multi-point inspection and background check, and improve upon your consumer rights in this regard. In all cases, the Consumer Rights Act only applies when buying from businesses and traders.
