They said this… · Motor vehicles

“It passed its MOT, so it could not have been faulty when sold.”

Generally incorrect

An MOT is a minimum roadworthiness check at a particular time. It is not a comprehensive mechanical inspection or proof that the vehicle met every contractual standard when sold.

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Why this answer

What actually matters

  • Check what the MOT did and did not test.
  • Compare advisories with later diagnostic findings.
  • Evidence of condition soon after sale may support an inference about an earlier fault.
  • The advert and dealer statements remain relevant.

Important nuance

When the statement may have a point

  • A recent clean MOT may still be relevant evidence on tested components.
  • A later fault can arise after sale without an earlier breach.

What you could say

Keep the response tied to the actual rule.

Evidence

What to have beside you

  • Advert, order form, invoice and finance agreement
  • MOT history, inspection reports and diagnostic evidence
  • Messages describing symptoms and when they appeared
  • Dealer, warranty and finance-company responses

If they still refuse

Move the dispute forward.

  1. Notify the supplying trader promptly and describe the fault rather than relying only on a diagnosis.
  2. Keep the dealer, finance provider and warranty roles separate; more than one route may apply.
  3. Use an applicable motor ADR scheme, the Financial Ombudsman for regulated finance, or court action where appropriate.

Read the full rules

Go deeper before escalating.

Primary guideRead the detailed ConsumerWise guidance.Motor & VehiclesRead the full guide.Faulty goodsRead the full guide.Repairs and replacementsRead the full guide.

Official sources

Check the rules behind this statement.

Consumer Rights Act 2015legislation.gov.uk · checked 19 Sep 2026Check the MOT history of a vehicleGOV.UK · checked 19 Sep 2026