u/Boom5tick123

I’m looking for some advice on whether I’m entitled to reject a used car and obtain a refund.

Timeline:

• Bought a used Hyundai Veloster Turbo from a dealer for £6,000 (£3,500 cash + £2,500 part exchange).
• Around 2 weeks after purchase, the engine catastrophically failed while driving (suspected thrown conrod through the engine block).
• The car has been off the road since 15 May.

Initially I agreed to let the dealer repair the car. He chose to process the repair through the warranty company rather than repairing it himself.

Since then there have been repeated delays:

• For a long time the garage hadn’t even sent the parts list to the warranty company.
• I kept chasing for updates.
• Only recently have I been told the parts list has finally been sent and they’re waiting for the warranty company’s response.
• As far as I’m aware, no actual repair has yet been carried out or parts even ordered.

The dealer has provided me with a courtesy car throughout this period (he says he doesn’t normally do this), but after waiting so long I’ve now found another car I’d like to buy and asked to reject the Veloster and receive a refund instead.

The dealer has refused.

His main points are:

• He says he doesn’t think a refund is reasonable.
• He says repairs take time and I’m just being impatient.
• He says he has supplied me with a courtesy car throughout.
• He says he didn’t sell me a car with a hole in the engine block and implies this isn’t his fault.
• He says the repair is now progressing so he wants to continue with it.
• Other dealerships would blame it on me as I musy have driven it badly.

My position is:

• The fault occurred within around 14 days of purchase.
• The car has now been unusable for well over a month.
• The repair has been significantly delayed.
• Although I initially agreed to a repair, it has not been completed within what I consider a reasonable time.
• I now want to reject the car instead of continuing to wait.

My questions are:

1. Does agreeing to the repair prevent me from now exercising my right to reject?
2. Does the length of the delay make a difference under the Consumer Rights Act 2015?
3. Does the fact I’ve had a courtesy car affect my right to reject?
4. Am I likely to be entitled to a full refund, including the agreed part-exchange value, if this ultimately had to be decided by a court?

I’d really appreciate any thoughts, particularly from anyone familiar with the Consumer Rights Act or motor trade disputes.