UKThe dealership sold me a car with a clocked odometer. What are my rights?
You have the right to reject the car and get a full refund, or claim repair, replacement, or price reduction — because a clocked odometer makes the car not of satisfactory quality or as described under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
What the Law Says
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects buyers of goods — including cars — from misleading or inaccurate descriptions. A clocked odometer means the mileage has been deliberately altered, making the car ‘not as described’ and almost certainly ‘not of satisfactory quality’.
Under section 11 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, every contract for the supply of goods includes a term that the goods supplied must match their description. When a dealer advertises or sells a car with a false mileage reading, this breaches s. 11.
The Act also implies terms that goods must be of satisfactory quality (s. 9) and fit for purpose (s. 10). A clocked odometer undermines reliability, safety, and value — so the car fails these standards too.
You have the ‘short-term right to reject’ within 30 days of purchase — entitling you to a full refund. After 30 days but within six months, the burden is on the trader to prove the fault wasn’t present at the time of sale.
Statutory TextEvery contract to supply goods is to be treated as including a term that the goods will match their description.
— Consumer Rights Act 2015, s. 11 — Goods matching description
What to Do
Contact the dealership in writing immediately, stating the odometer has been clocked and you are exercising your right to reject under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Provide evidence if you have it — e.g., service history showing higher mileage, MOT records, or a forensic odometer report.
If the dealer refuses, escalate to Citizens Advice or Trading Standards — they can investigate odometer fraud, which is also a criminal offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
As a last resort, issue a small claim in the County Court for refund or compensation (claims under £10,000 go to the small claims track).
Sources
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
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AustraliaNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.