What should I do if there are rattles on my new car?

The Motor Ombudsman receives various types of complaints on car noises. For example, the car is making a noise when idling, accelerating, cruising, turning and braking.

There are times when a noise is not necessarily symptomatic of a fault. Vehicle manufacturers will often set tolerance levels on how much noise a vehicle should make in a set situation. It is normal for manufacturers to work with a main dealer to try to minimise the noise, but this does not necessarily mean they accept there is a fault.

If you disagree with the manufacturer and believe the noise is a fault, you should get a second opinion. This can be from another franchised dealer or an independent engineer (e.g. DEKRA).

If you wish to exercise your warranty rights, you should inform the manufacturer of your intention to obtain a second opinion, because if you’re successful in your claim, you can ask for your costs of the report to be reimbursed. If you wish to exercise your legal rights, you need to follow the process set out in the Consumer Rights Act and allow the seller an opportunity to diagnose the noise. If they explain that they are unable to find a fault, it is important, once again to get a second opinion and inform the seller of your intention to do this. This will help you to recoup the costs of the second opinion from the seller if you are successful in your claim