They said this… · Motor vehicles

“It is an old car, so every fault is wear and tear.”

Generally incorrect

Age and mileage reduce what can reasonably be expected, but they do not make every defect acceptable or remove liability for inaccurate descriptions and serious pre-existing faults.

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Why this answer

What actually matters

  • Compare the failure with reasonable durability for that vehicle.
  • Consider price, description, service history and disclosed defects.
  • Distinguish routine consumables from an abnormal failure.
  • Technical evidence may be decisive.

Important nuance

When the statement may have a point

  • Some components genuinely have reached a normal service life.
  • A cheap, high-mileage vehicle is not judged as if it were new.

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