I have paid a deposit for a new or used car. Can I get my money back?
If you have put down a deposit, this implies you have a contract with the seller, so it is unlikely that you will be able to get it back, as there is no automatic right to a refund of a deposit.
If the terms of the contract or the terms of the deposit say that it is refundable, then this would usually be the case, so it is always worth checking the small print before you agree to the purchase or make any form of payment.
If you have simply changed your mind, or even if there is nothing wrong with the car being purchased, this is not a sufficient reason to have your deposit returned.
You will not have the automatic right to have your money back if you request this, and in the majority of cases, a deposit will be non-refundable. This is because the vehicle would have been withdrawn from sale, and in some cases, may have been registered your name (i.e. for a new car), thereby preventing anyone else from buying it.
For more information on deposits, click here.
How to submit a dispute to The Motor Ombudsman
The Motor Ombudsman is a certified Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider who can assist with disputes that arise between consumers and Code-accredited businesses.
Before you submit a dispute to us, firstly please ensure you have taken a look at the information about our process on the resolve a dispute page.
Have an article suggestion?
If you would like to see a question answered on our Knowledge Base, please email us at: media@tmo-uk.org.
