Buying from an independent dealer
An independent dealer isn’t a private seller - it’s a registered business, and buying from one gives you exactly the same legal protection as buying from a franchise showroom. Here’s what that protection actually covers, what’s worth checking yourself, and how our own condition grades work.
Your rights under the Consumer Rights Act
Every car on IndieMotors is sold by an approved trade dealer, not a private individual - so every purchase is covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Under the Act, a car bought from a dealer must be:
- Of satisfactory quality - free from faults and safe to drive, judged against what’s reasonable for the car’s age, mileage, and price. A 15-year-old car with 120,000 miles isn’t held to the same standard as a nearly-new one.
- Fit for purpose - capable of ordinary driving use, or any specific purpose you told the dealer about before buying.
- As described - matching the advert and anything the dealer told you, including mileage and specification.
If the car doesn’t meet those standards, you have a short-term right to reject it for a full refund within the first 30 days. Between 30 days and 6 months, the dealer gets one chance to repair or replace it first; if that doesn’t fix the problem, you can ask for a price reduction or reject the car. For the first 6 months, it’s presumed any fault was already there when you bought it, unless the dealer can show otherwise - after that, it’s down to you to show the fault existed at the point of sale.
These rights exist on top of any warranty a dealer offers, not instead of it - a dealer can’t contract out of your statutory rights. They don’t cover faults you were told about before buying, anything you should reasonably have spotted on inspection, or ordinary wear and tear.
This is a general summary to help you know where you stand - it isn’t legal advice for your specific situation. For guidance on an actual dispute, contact Citizens Advice or read the Act itself on legislation.gov.uk.
What to check on a test drive
Your statutory rights are a safety net, not a substitute for a careful look yourself. A proper test drive catches most issues before you’ve committed to anything.
Before you start the engine
- Check the V5C logbook - the name and address should match the seller (a dealer, not a private individual).
- Look underneath for fresh oil or fluid drips, and check tyre tread depth and wear is even across each tyre.
- Look along each body panel in daylight for mismatched paint colour, overspray, or uneven panel gaps - signs of past accident repair.
Starting up
- Start from cold if you can - excessive smoke, a rough idle, or a warning light that doesn’t clear are all worth asking about.
- Every warning light should illuminate briefly then go out. One that stays on is a reason to ask before you drive, not after.
On the move
- Drive at both low and higher speed if the route allows - some noises (wheel bearings, wind noise, suspension) only show up above 40mph.
- Brake firmly on an empty, straight stretch - the car should stop in a straight line with no pulling, grinding, or a spongy pedal.
- Listen for knocks over speed bumps or potholes, and check the steering doesn’t vibrate or pull to one side.
- On a manual, check the clutch bites smoothly, not right at the top or bottom of the pedal travel. On an automatic, gear changes should be smooth with no hesitation or slipping.
Back at the dealer
- Test every electric window, the air conditioning, and the infotainment screen.
- Ask to see the service history and MOT history - on IndieMotors, both are already shown on the advert for exactly this reason.
- If anything about the mileage or history doesn’t add up, ask directly - a genuine dealer should have a straightforward answer.
How our condition grades work
Every advert carries a condition grade the dealer sets themselves when they list the car - it’s a starting point for what to expect, not a substitute for seeing the car (or its MOT history, shown on every advert) for yourself.
Excellent - Showroom condition
No known faults. Full MOT with no advisories of note, and cosmetically excellent for its age.
Great - Minor wear, fully roadworthy
Fully roadworthy with only minor, expected wear. May have small cosmetic marks or MOT advisories, but nothing affecting safety or reliability.
Satisfactory - Some known issues, budget to address
Roadworthy with some known issues - e.g. a few MOT advisories or cosmetic wear a buyer should budget to address - but nothing urgent or affecting safety.
Poor - Noticeable issues, needs attention
Roadworthy but with noticeable issues - mechanical faults, bodywork damage, or MOT advisories that need attention soon.
Non-runner - Not currently driveable
Not currently driveable - e.g. won't start, no valid MOT, or awaiting significant repair before it can be used.
Ready to start looking?
Every dealer on IndieMotors is personally approved before their stock goes live.