Can a Private Seller Sell You a Car With Hidden Faults?

Picture this: You meet a lovely chap in a lay-by off the A406. He’s got a firm handshake, a charming smile, and a 2012 Vauxhall Insignia that “drives sweet as a nut.” You hand over the cash, shake hands, and off you go. Ten miles later, the gearbox dies, the dashboard lights up like Blackpool at Christmas, and your dreams of a reliable runaround are smouldering in a McDonald’s car park. You call the seller. He says, “Sold as seen, mate.” You check your rights. He says, “I’m a private seller.” You scream into the void. So… can a private seller legally flog you a car full of hidden faults? Let’s take a look — legally, logically, and with a generous sprinkle of rage.

Private Sellers vs. Traders: Know Thy Enemy

First, let’s get one thing straight. The law isn’t the same for:

Dealers (aka traders, businesses)
Private sellers (aka Barry from Facebook Marketplace)

When you buy from a dealer, you’re covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. That means the car must be:

Of satisfactory quality
As described
Fit for purpose

If it turns out to be a shed in disguise, you can return it or demand repairs.

But with a private seller, it’s a different game.

What Are Your Rights With a Private Sale?

When buying privately, you're only legally entitled to two things:

The car must match the description given. If the seller says it has “full service history,” and it doesn’t, they’ve breached the law.
The seller must legally own the car. If it’s stolen, financed, or still belongs to KwikFit Leasing, you’ve been conned.

That’s it. There’s no obligation for the seller to ensure the car is “roadworthy” or “fault-free,” as long as they haven’t lied.

So Yes... They Can Sell You a Car With Hidden Faults

(And It’s Perfectly Legal)

If the private seller didn’t know about the dodgy gearbox, or didn’t mention that the aircon only works on a Wednesday in March, they’re off the hook.

Even worse — if they did know but didn’t say anything, it’s hard to prove they lied unless you’ve got it in writing.

The golden phrase to watch out for is: “Sold as seen.”

Legally meaningless. But morally? It’s usually code for “Good luck, mate – she’s your problem now.”

How to Protect Yourself (Without Hiring a Lawyer or Losing Sleep)

You’ve got to do what Clarkson would do: trust no one, and check everything.

Here’s how:

1. Run a Vehicle History Check

Start with TopCarCheck.co.uk (obviously). It’ll show:

Mileage discrepancies (clocking)
Write-off status
Outstanding finance
Stolen alerts
MOT history (aka "was this car ever roadworthy?")

2. Ask the Right Questions

Get the seller to confirm (in writing if possible):

Has the car been in any accidents?
Is there outstanding finance?
Are there any known faults? If they lie in writing, you’ve got a shot at small claims court.

3. Check the V5C Logbook

Make sure the seller is the registered keeper. No V5C = massive red flag. If the address doesn’t match where you’re meeting them?

4. Inspect + Test Drive

Bring a mechanic friend if you can. If not, trust your eyes and ears. Weird noises? Banging suspension? Burning smell? Just walk away. Or run.

Final Thought: In the World of Used Cars, You’re the Warranty

Buying a car from a private seller is like dating on Tinder: It might work out. But it’s more likely to leave you heartbroken, broke, and Googling “why does my dashboard smell like burnt toast.”

So no, a private seller shouldn’t sell you a car with hidden faults. But yes, they can — and the law won’t help you unless you catch them lying.

Which is why the smartest thing you can do is:

Use TopCarCheck.co.uk before you buy. A simple check now saves you £500 in tow trucks, repairs, and existential despair.

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