Private car sales have fewer legal protections than dealer purchases. Here are the checks you must do before handing over money, from free online checks to what to verify in person.
Full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs. No signup needed.
| Protection | Private Sale | Dealer Purchase |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Rights Act 2015 | Does not apply | Applies (satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, as described) |
| Right to reject (30 days) | No | Yes |
| Right to repair or replacement | No | Yes (first 6 months, burden on dealer) |
| Warranty | None | Minimum 30 days (many offer 3-6 months) |
| Distance selling regulations | No | 14-day cooling off (online/phone sales) |
| Car must be "as described" | Yes | Yes |
| Seller must have right to sell | Yes | Yes |
Short answer: When buying from a private seller, you have almost no legal protection. The Consumer Rights Act does not apply to private sales. Your only defence is doing the right checks before you pay. Start with a free check on CarCostCheck (MOT, mileage, reliability), then run the £4.99 premium check (stolen, finance, write-off) before viewing. These two steps cost under £5 and protect you from the most expensive mistakes.
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The only things a private seller is legally obliged to do are: accurately describe the car and have the legal right to sell it. If the car breaks down, the engine blows up, or it needs £3,000 of work the day after purchase, you have no automatic right to a refund. This is why pre-purchase checks are essential.
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Data from DVSA and DVLA. Used by thousands of UK car buyers.
CarCostCheck is not just a cheaper version of HPI. It is a fundamentally better product that happens to cost 75% less. Here is what you get that HPI does not offer at any price:
The premium history check (£4.99) uses the same Experian database as HPI, AA, and RAC. You get identical stolen, finance, and write-off data. The complete bundle (history + valuation) is £6.99, still 65% cheaper than HPI's basic check.
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12 checks included free. Premium stolen, finance, and write-off checks for just £4.99. Market valuation from £2.99.
Enter any reg plate for a free MOT history, mileage check, health score, and running costs. No signup needed.
Used by thousands of UK car buyers. Data from DVSA and DVLA.
Example report preview
2019 Ford Fiesta
1.0 EcoBoost, Petrol, Manual
82
Grade A
£2,450
per year
Pass
MOT status
42k
Mileage
This is what you'll see. Try it with YOUR car:
12 free checks included. Premium history from £4.99. Valuation from £2.99.