How does a cooling-off period work?

In the world of consumer rights, a cooling-off period acts as a crucial safeguard against regrettable buying decisions. It means that consumers have the power to reconsider and potentially cancel certain purchases within a certain timeframe, without incurring a penalty. 

While many people are familiar with cooling-off periods for online shopping or in-store purchases, fewer realise that these protection policies can extend to significant investments like cars and finance agreements. Understanding how cooling-off periods work, particularly when it comes to buying a vehicle, can save buyers from costly mistakes and provide peace of mind when making major financial commitments.

In this guide, we explain more about cooling-off periods, paying particular attention to your rights if you’ve purchased a vehicle or signed up for car finance. Read on to find out more…  

What is a cooling-off period?

A cooling-off period is a specified timeframe during which a consumer can cancel a contract or purchase without punishment - in the UK, this is usually 14 days unless specified otherwise. The process is designed to protect consumers by giving them time to reconsider their decision after agreeing to a purchase or contract, especially for significant or potentially high-pressure sales situations.

Key benefits of cooling-off periods include:

1. Gives consumers time to think about their purchase without undue pressure
2. Consumers can end the agreement without having to explain why
3. Consumers are entitled to a full refund within the 14-day window
4. Guards against impulse buying or aggressive sales tactics

What is the cooling-off period process?

A cooling-off period usually automatically begins when the contract is first signed or when the goods are received, depending on the type of purchase made. The period lasts for a set number of days (14 calendar days in most cases) so to exercise your right to cancel, you must inform the seller of your decision within the designated cooling-off period; this is usually confirmed in writing (email, letter, or through a cancellation form if provided).

It’s important to understand you don't need to provide a reason for cancellation during the 14-day cooling-off period and the seller must refund your money - typically within 14 days of receiving your cancellation notice - this includes the purchase price and standard delivery costs (if applicable).

For physical items, you are required to return the goods back to the place from where you purchased them; this should be done immediately and within 14 days of cancellation. Please note that you are typically responsible for the cost of returning items too, unless stated otherwise in the contract. 

Be aware that some products purchased are actually exempt from cooling-off rights, such as perishable goods or custom-made items. We recommend you always check the terms and conditions first before you cancel a purchase or a contract. 

What is the cooling-off period for a car?

The cooling-off period for a car purchase can vary depending on how and where you bought the vehicle. To give you a better idea of how this works, we explain what happens when you purchase a car in person from a dealership, or when you buy a vehicle online, or if you’ve bought your car on finance - 

Dealership Purchase:

Generally, there is no statutory cooling-off period when you buy a car in person at a dealership. This means that once you've signed the contract and taken possession of the vehicle, the sale is usually final. However, some dealers may offer their own cooling-off policies, but this is not required by law.

Distance Purchase:

If you buy a car entirely online or over the phone without seeing it in person, you are typically entitled to a 14-day cooling-off period. This period starts from the day you receive the car when you then have the right to inspect and test drive the car during this time too.

Car Finance Agreements: 

It may be the case that you’ve arranged to purchase the car via finance. If you’ve signed a contract for finance in person at the dealership, you won’t be eligible to take advantage of a cooling-off period. 

But, if you've arranged car finance online or over the phone, you usually have a 14-day cooling-off period for the finance agreement itself - this starts from either when you sign the agreement or receive a copy of it, whichever is later. Bear in mind that this doesn't necessarily cancel the actual car purchase, just the finance side of the arrangement. 

Important Considerations:

If you cancel a distance sale, you may be responsible for return shipping costs - which could be pricey if you’ve purchased a car. There may even be charges if you've driven the car more than a nominal amount during the cooling-off period (often around 100 miles). 

Remember that dealer-specific policies may vary, so always check the terms of your purchase first, and that cancelling a finance agreement doesn't automatically cancel the car purchase. 

Is there a cooling-off period for car finance?

Yes, there is typically a 14-day cooling-off period for car finance agreements if agreed to online or over the phone. This applies to most types of car finance agreements, including Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) deals. 

The cooling-off period usually starts from either the day you sign the agreement or the day you receive a copy of it, whichever is later. During this period, you have the right to cancel the finance agreement without giving a reason and without any penalty fees. To cancel, you need to inform the finance company in writing within the 14-day period. 

It's really important to understand that cancelling the finance agreement doesn't automatically cancel the actual car purchase. You'll need to arrange to return the car or find alternative financing if you want to keep it. If you've already taken delivery of the car, you may be responsible for any depreciation costs when you return it.

Does the 14-day cooling-off period apply to everything?

No, the 14-day cooling-off period does not apply to everything. While it's a common policy for many types of contracts and purchases, it does depend on the type of goods, which we explain below -  

A cooling-off period typically applies to:

• Online, phone, or mail-order purchases (distance selling)
• Doorstep sales
• Many financial products and services
• Timeshare agreements
• Some insurance policies

A cooling-off period often doesn't apply to:

• In-person retail purchases from physical stores
• Perishable goods (like food and flowers)
• Custom-made or personalised items
• Sealed goods that have been opened
• Services that have already been fully performed with your agreement
• Accommodation, transport, or leisure services for specific dates
• Goods whose price depends on fluctuations in the financial market
• Emergency repairs or maintenance
• Betting, lottery, and gambling services

FAQs and answers

We hope our guide to cooling-off periods has given you a better understanding of your rights as a consumer. As a vehicle finance broker, we often get asked questions about the 14-day cooling-off period for car purchases and finance agreements. Below, we’ve shared some of our most frequently asked questions, accompanied by our answers:  

Do you have 14 days to cancel a car purchase?

The right to cancel a car purchase within 14 days depends on how you bought the car. For in-person dealership purchases, there's generally no 14-day cancellation right once you've signed the contract and taken the car. However, if you bought the car entirely online or over the phone (distance selling), you typically have 14 days to cancel from the day you receive the car. 

Can I return my car to the dealer within 30 days?

The ability to return a car to the dealer within 30 days is not a standard right and depends on the specific policies of the dealer or manufacturer. Most car purchases are considered final once you've signed the contract and driven off the forecourt. However, some dealers or manufacturers offer their own return policies as a customer satisfaction guarantee, which might allow returns within a certain period (like 30 days) under specific conditions. 

Is there a cooling-off period for buying a used car?

The cooling-off period for buying a used car depends on how and where you made the purchase. If you bought the used car in person at a dealership, there's typically no statutory cooling-off period; the sale is usually final once you've signed the contract and taken possession of the vehicle. However, if you purchased the used car entirely online or over the phone without seeing it first (distance selling), you generally have a 14-day cooling-off period starting from the day you receive the car.

Can you be charged during a cooling-off period?

During a cooling-off period, you generally cannot be charged penalties for cancelling the contract or purchase. However, you may still be responsible for certain costs. For example, if you've already received the goods, you're usually required to return them at your own expense, unless the seller agrees to cover return shipping. For services that have already begun with your consent during the cooling-off period, you might need to pay for what you've used. In the case of car purchases, if you've driven the vehicle beyond a nominal amount (often around 100 miles), you could be charged for the excess mileage or depreciation. 

Can I get my car deposit back if I change my mind?

Whether you can get your car deposit back if you change your mind depends on the circumstances and the dealer's policies. In most cases, car deposits are considered non-refundable, especially for in-person dealership purchases. The deposit is typically seen as a commitment to buy and may be used to hold the car for you. However, if you're cancelling within a valid cooling-off period (such as for online purchases), you should be entitled to a full refund, including the deposit. 

Can I cancel my financed car?

Cancelling a financed car purchase depends on your specific situation and the terms of your agreement. If you arranged the finance online or over the phone, you typically have a 14-day cooling-off period to cancel the finance agreement without giving a reason. However, this doesn't automatically cancel the car purchase itself. For in-person dealership purchases with finance, there's usually no statutory right to cancel once you've signed the agreements and taken the car. If you're outside the cooling-off period, cancelling can be challenging and potentially costly. You might need to sell the car and use the proceeds to pay off the loan, which could leave you with negative equity if the car's value has depreciated. Some lenders may offer options like voluntary termination after you've paid off a certain percentage of the loan, but this can affect your credit score. Before making any decisions, carefully review your finance agreement and consult with your lender.

Can I return my financed car if it’s faulty?

If your financed car is faulty, you may have the right to return it, depending on the nature of the fault and when it was discovered. Under consumer protection laws, you're entitled to a car that is of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. If a significant fault is found shortly after purchase, you may have the right to reject the car and claim a full refund. For faults discovered later, you're typically entitled to a repair or replacement. If these aren't possible or are unsuccessful, you may then be entitled to a refund, potentially with a deduction for usage. 

The broker of choice for car finance

Here at Octane Finance, we have established ourselves as the broker of choice for car finance, offering a seamless and customer-focused approach to vehicle funding. With a wide network of lenders on our books, we can provide tailored solutions to suit diverse financial situations and car preferences. 

Our expert team takes pride in offering a personalised service, guiding clients through the entire process from application to approval. Whether you're looking for a new or used car, we have quickly established ourselves as the go-to broker for car finance in Essex and beyond.