Repair or Replace refers to your right as a motorist under UK consumer law to have a faulty vehicle repaired or replaced if it develops issues within six months of purchase and after 30 days of ownership. This applies when the fault is significant enough that it affects the car's safety, how well it works, or its value.
For example, imagine you bought a new car in January and by April, your brakes start to fail repeatedly despite multiple repairs. If this issue continues beyond the first month after purchase, you have the right under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 to demand either a full replacement of the vehicle or another attempt at repair. The dealer must fix it for free within a reasonable time frame.
This consumer protection is crucial because it ensures that you don't end up with a car that's unsafe or non-functional just because it’s still covered by a manufacturer warranty. By law, if the problem isn’t resolved adequately through repairs, you have the option to return the vehicle and get your money back or receive a new one without defects.
The relevant legislation is the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which covers major issues with products like cars within six months of purchase. If more than three attempts at repair don't fix the problem after 30 days, you can reject the car under this law and request a full refund or replacement.
A practical tip to keep in mind is to document every interaction with your dealer when dealing with faulty vehicles. Keep records of all communications, repairs attempted, and any correspondence related to the issues. This documentation will help protect your rights if you need to escalate your case further.
How This Relates to the FCA Redress Scheme
The FCA motor finance redress scheme covers 12.1 million agreements with an average compensation of £829 per agreement. The total cost to firms is £9.1 billion. If you had PCP or HP finance between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, you may be eligible. The final deadline to complain is 31 August 2027. You do not need a claims management company.