What Is The Rejection Period Under ACL?

The ‘rejection period’ is the period commencing from the time a consumer bought a vehicle, during which it would be reasonable to expect a problem to appear.

Let’s explore this idea further. The rejection period is a complex concept. The following is our attempt to explain it in a user-friendly way, however this is not legal advice:

• When you buy a product, it should work.
• However, if it doesn’t and there is a major failure, you have the right to ask for it to be repaired, or you could reject it, meaning you can say to the seller “I don’t want it” and ask for a refund or replacement.
• But that “right to reject” has an expiry date, and the time between when you bought the product and this “expiry” is called the “rejection period”.
  • The law does not specify how long the rejection period is for any particular vehicle;
  • It defines it as 'the period from the time of the supply of the goods to the consumer within which it would be reasonable to expect the relevant failure… to become apparent having regard to' the:
    • Type of vehicle;
    • Way in which the consumer is likely to use it; and
    • Length of time, and amount of use, that would reasonably be expected to elapse before the problem becomes apparent.
  • For illustration only, on a vehicle it may be in the order of years, in the case of a small electrical appliance it may be in the order of months, while on a food item, it may be in the order of days.

Sometimes, the product’s fault is clear from first use. Other times it may become noticeable only over time. Once the problem becomes apparent, you need to bring it to the seller's attention and reject the vehicle. If too much time passes, the rejection period may have expired and you may have lost your right to obtain a full refund or replacement vehicle.

For further information visit the Customer Service Charter by clicking here.