Want to buy a new car but don’t want to schlep around showrooms? Our guide explains how easy it is to buy online
Buying online actually gives you more protection than buying at a dealership, because the sale is covered by the rules in the Consumer Contract Regulations 2013. Most significantly, these include a 14-day ‘cooling-off’ period, during which you are entitled to hand the car back with no questions asked.
Just bear in mind that you are only covered by this if you don't visit the showroom; if you go there, for example, to fill in some paperwork, you'll be subject to the terms and conditions set by the dealer in question.The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you the right to ask for a full refund in the first 30 days if your new car proves to be faulty.
In addition, if a problem is found after 30 days, but within six months of purchase, you can request a repair or a replacement vehicle. The onus is on the seller of the car to prove the fault wasn’t present when it was sold; if they can, and you’re likely to have known about it, you won’t get a refund.