CAREXAMER Pre Purchase Inspection And Consumer Rights Act 2015
This article explains how they work together and why combining both offers the strongest safeguard for UK used car buyers. What Is a CAREXAMER Pre Purchase Inspection? A CAREXAMER pre purchase inspection is an independent, professional vehicle inspection carried out before you commit to buying a used car. It is designed to uncover hidden faults, safety issues, and future repair risks that are not always visible during a test drive. CAREXAMER inspections are mobile and carried out at the vehicle’s location, whether the car is with a dealer, a private seller, or in storage.
What CAREXAMER Inspections Cover
- Full mechanical inspection
- Engine and gearbox assessment
- Suspension, brakes, tyres, and steering checks
- Plug in diagnostic scan included on all inspections
- Road test where permitted
- Underbody and corrosion checks
- Accident damage and poor quality repair detection
- Hybrid and electric vehicle diagnostics with high voltage battery assessment
- Clear written reports with potential repair costs
- Buyer focused advice before purchase
The aim is simple. Identify risk before money changes hands.
What Is the Consumer Rights Act 2015?
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects buyers who purchase vehicles from traders or dealers in the UK. It does not apply to private sales.
Under the Act, a vehicle must be:
- Of satisfactory quality
- Fit for purpose
- As described
If a vehicle fails to meet these standards, the buyer has legal rights.
Key Consumer Rights Act Timeframes
- First 30 days: Right to reject the vehicle for a full refund
- First 6 months: Faults are assumed to have been present at purchase unless the dealer proves otherwise
- After 6 months: The buyer must prove the fault existed at the time of sale
These rights are strong, but they rely on evidence.
Why the Consumer Rights Act Alone Is Not Enough
Many buyers assume the Consumer Rights Act fully protects them, but there are practical limitations.
Common problems include:
- Dealers disputing when faults developed
- Claims that faults are wear and tear
- Long repair delays
- Stress and time spent arguing
- Cars being off the road for extended periods
The Act helps after a problem appears, but it does not prevent a poor purchase.
How CAREXAMER Strengthens Your Consumer Rights
A CAREXAMER inspection improves your position both before and after purchase.
1. Prevents Buying the Wrong Car
The greatest benefit is avoiding a bad purchase entirely. If serious faults are found, you can walk away before any legal dispute arises.
Avoiding the problem is always better than fighting it later.
2. Provides Independent Evidence
A CAREXAMER report is independent professional evidence of the vehicle’s condition at the time of inspection.
It can be used to:
- Challenge inaccurate vehicle descriptions
- Support a rejection under the Consumer Rights Act
- Strengthen complaints and formal claims
- Show that faults existed or were developing before purchase
Independent evidence is often critical in disputes.
3. Helps Prove Faults Existed at Sale
After six months, the burden of proof shifts to the buyer. A pre purchase inspection report can help demonstrate that issues were present or foreseeable at the time of sale.
This can make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful claim.
4. Supports Fair Price Negotiation
If faults are identified but not serious enough to walk away, the CAREXAMER report allows buyers to negotiate a fair price before purchase.
This reduces financial exposure from the start.
5. Reduces Stress and Disruption
Legal disputes are time consuming and frustrating. A CAREXAMER inspection greatly reduces the likelihood of needing to rely on legal rights at all.
Most buyers prefer clarity and confidence before purchase rather than conflict after.
Example Scenario
A buyer purchases a used car from a dealer without an inspection. Two weeks later, the gearbox develops a fault. The dealer claims it is normal wear and tear. The buyer faces delays, arguments, and uncertainty.
If the buyer had a CAREXAMER inspection:
- The fault may have been identified before purchase
- The buyer could have walked away or negotiated
- If missed, the report would strengthen a rejection claim
This combination saves time, money, and stress.
Why CAREXAMER Is Different From Basic Inspections
CAREXAMER inspections include diagnostic scans, repair cost guidance, and buyer focused advice as standard. Many basic inspections only describe visible condition and offer no context around ownership risk or legal protection.
CAREXAMER inspections are designed to protect buyers, not just describe vehicles.
Who Benefits Most From Combining CAREXAMER and the Consumer Rights Act?
This approach is especially valuable if you are:
- Buying from a dealer
- Spending a significant amount of money
- Buying a modern car with complex electronics
- Buying a hybrid or electric vehicle
- Buying without a warranty
- Financing the vehicle
The higher the value and complexity, the greater the benefit.
Summary
A CAREXAMER pre purchase inspection and the Consumer Rights Act 2015 work best when combined. CAREXAMER helps prevent costly mistakes before purchase, while the Consumer Rights Act provides legal protection if something goes wrong after.
Together, they give UK car buyers the strongest possible defence against hidden faults, unfair practices, and financial loss.
If you want to buy with confidence, reduce risk, and protect your rights, combining a CAREXAMER inspection with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 is the smartest approach.
Buying a used VW. Buying used vauxhall, BMW, Jaguar, Ford, Volvo, Range rover, Bentley, Aston Martin, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Hyundai, Tesla, Honda, Pagani