The Approved Code Scheme is operated by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute


1 Sylvan Court Sylvan Way SS15 6TH Basildon, Essex, UK

AA Cars - The Used Car Website

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AA Cars - part of the world-renowned AA Group - is an online platform used by consumers for sourcing and buying used vehicles.

The AA Cars website provides support and advice about buying a used vehicle. Every vehicle advertised on the site comes with access to exclusive breakdown offers—for both new and existing AA members—a basic vehicle history check, and some dealers have gone a step further by having their vehicles inspected by the AA. This involves a thorough 128-point vehicle inspection, independently conducted to ensure complete transparency for the consumer.

All AA Cars member dealerships—Used Car Dealerships—have agreed to abide by its Consumer Code of Practice, which guarantees that their customers will be treated fairly at all times.

SEARCH : Find an AA Cars Used Car Dealer (by Postcode)

 CERTIFIED 

Approved Code of Practice

This is to certify that the published Consumer Code of Practice of AA Cars was officially granted APPROVED CODE status in 2023. Since then, the relevant provisions, processes and procedures have been continuously monitored and regularly audited by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) - the representative body of the UK Trading Standards profession, since 1881, and one of the primary Government-endorsed consumer protection bodies in the United Kingdom - operating on behalf of the Approved Code Scheme (see Code Audit Record, below).

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Approved Code Registry :

Code Sector Automotive and Repairs
Code of Practice Click here to view (pdf opens in new tab)
Year of Approval 2023
Members 1,177 (July 2023)
Last Audited August 2025
Code Audit Record AA Cars Audit 2025 (pdf opens in new tab)

More about AA Cars

VERIFY A COMPANY : If you want to check that a business displaying the Approved Code Scheme logo is genuinely a member of the scheme, please enter their details in the search box at the top of the page (or use the main search box on the Homepage).

The AA Cars Code of Practice

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We only list vehicles from trusted dealers so you can buy your next vehicle with confidence. The AA Cars Code of Practice covers the following:

  • AA dealer promise
  • Advertising
  • Customer care
  • What to do if there is a problem
  • Our mediation service.

Read AA Cars' Code of Practice (pdf)

AA Cars ensure that their dealers meet a minimum standard of practice to help you on your car buying journey - making sure you get looked after before, during and after sale to create peace of mind and a stress-free experience. The aim is to help you identify garages which will deal with your car properly and provide a good service.

AA Cars Standards are the AA's Commandments of Gold Standard customer service. This means that the dealer has promised to:

  • Provide a minimum of 6 months MOT on all vehicles
  • Allow you to test drive any vehicle
  • Welcome any vehicle inspection before you buy
  • Make sure every vehicle is in good condition
  • Provide V5 registration and service records where available
  • Work closely with you and the AA Cars team to help with any issue

We work with car and van dealers across the UK who have committed to AA Cars Standards for added reassurance.

We provide support, advice and guidance to our dealers when required and as part of mediation to ensure they are complying with our AA Cars Standards code. All AA Cars Dealers are expected to maintain their vehicle preparation standards and to operate consistently at all times. Dealers are also audited by us annually.

In the first instance, if the dealer is not compliant AA Cars will always provide education, training and support on the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and/or the AA Cars Standards Code. However, should this not be successful, AA Cars will terminate the relationship, including all association with the brand and the AA Cars Standards. Their vehicles will be removed from the site and instruction will be given to remove all physical and digital assets with immediate effect.

Disputes and Complaints

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As a consumer, if you ever enter into a dispute with a business that is a member of AA Cars, the business must offer you Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This is a simpler, cheaper and faster alternative to going to Court. And the adjudications of the independent ADR body are binding on the business (although you are still free to go to Court afterwards).

Offering customers ADR is a mandatory and non-negotiable requirement for membership of the Approved Code Scheme - ensuring that only the best, most customer-centric businesses remain in the scheme. It also acts as a powerful incentive for any member business to treat you with respect, courtesy and fairness, at all times.

AA Car's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) : 

Independent ADR Body As an accredited ADR body, AA Cars provide their own ADR
Website AA Cars - Dealer Complaints (Support Page)
Email address There is a direct contact form on the above page (under Still Need Help?).
NOTES  

Complain about an AA Cars Member business

If you feel you have been mistreated by a business that is a member of the Approved Code Scheme, there are steps you can take. In the first instance, please reach out to them - explaining the nature of your complaint in clear and unambiguous language, and mentioning that you are aware of their membership of AA Cars and the Approved Code Scheme. In most cases, this approach will ensure your complaint receives proper attention - and, ideally, a resolution will be forthcoming.

Only if this approach fails to bear fruit should you contact AA Cars, or their nominated ADR body (see their contact details, above) - who will then do their best to help you resolve your dispute with the business.

AA Cars' Advice :

At AA Cars, customers are invited to use our free mediation service to assist where issues arise. We closely monitor the nature of complaints and ensure that we address any common concerns or undesirable practices that may be identified. In these scenarios, AA Cars aims to mediate the best and fairest solution for both parties in line with the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Complain about AA Cars (as Code Sponsor)

If a dealership is unhappy with AA Cars' conduct, they can raise their concerns by following their internal complaints procedure, where their issue will be investigated.

If a customer has any complaints, they can contact AA Cars via the contact details shown below and on the Website. Alternatively, they can also contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 for further assistance.

In the interests of complete transparency and fairhandedness, if you represent a business and would like to complain about the way that AA Cars operates as part of the Approved Code Scheme, please contact us at: [email protected].

Corporate Details (from Companies House) :

Registered Name AA LIMITED
Company Reg. No. 4546950
Established 1905
Reg. Address Fanum House, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4EA 

PLEASE NOTE : We recently changed the consumer-facing name of the scheme from the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS) to the Approved Code Scheme. However, some of our publicity and contractual materials (produced before June 2024) may still include references to the original name. Until we have adapted everything, both names remain valid - and we apologise for any confusion.

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