Did you get roadside assistance when buying a car? Instructions on how to get your money back legally

Have you bought a new or used car, and suddenly found a line in the purchase and sale agreement or loan agreement about the paid service “roadside assistance” - although you never asked for it to be included? This is a classic scheme imposing additional services, which is actively used by dealers and banks. According to Consumer Protection Society, up to 30% of car owners are faced with such “voluntary-compulsory” options when completing a transaction.

Good news: such a service can be return - in whole or in part. The bad: dealers and banks rarely cooperate without pressure. In this article we will analyze exact steps to get your money back in 2026, including sample claims, laws (including recent amendments to Law “On Protection of Consumer Rights”), and tactics of communication with the seller. We’ll also reveal the tricks that managers use to “forget” about your rights.

Why is roadside assistance imposed on almost all customers?

Roadside assistance service (also known as road assistance, emergency commissioner or technical assistance) is really useful: tow truck, minor on-site repairs, fuel delivery. But in 90% of cases it is included in the contract without the client's consent. Here's why:

• 💰 Hidden markup: dealers receive a commission from insurance companies for each “connected” client - up to 50% of the cost of the service.
• 📑 Automatic renewal: Many contracts are renewed automatically (and money is debited from the card) if you do not cancel in advance.
• 🏦 Bank condition: For car loans, banks often require the service to be included as a “required” service for loan approval (even though this is illegal by law).
• 📉 Failure statistics: according to data Central Bank of the Russian Federation, only 12% of clients try to return money for imposed services - the rest simply do not know how to do this.

The most common trick is fine print in the contract. The service is prescribed on page 5 in the “Additional options” section or even in a separate application, which the manager does not even point to. Another option is oral pressure: “This is required as a guarantee,” “Without this, the loan will not be approved,” “Everyone does this.”

Legislative framework: what the law says in 2026

The imposition of services when purchasing a car is regulated by several regulations. The main ones:

Law/Article	What does it say	How to use
ZPPP, Art. 16	Prohibits making the purchase of one product conditional on the purchase of another.	If roadside assistance is included as a condition of the sale of a car, this is a violation.
Civil Code of the Russian Federation, Art. 421	Citizens are free to enter into a contract. The conditions are determined by agreement of the parties.	You are not required to agree to additional services.
Law No. 2300-1, art. 10	The consumer has the right to refuse the product/service within 14 days if the information was inaccurate.	You can get your money back if the service was presented as mandatory.
Resolution of the Plenum of the Supreme Council No. 17 (2023)	Explains that solicitation of services is an unfair practice.	Makes it easier to take legal action against dealers.

An important nuance: if the service was issued as separate agreement (for example, with an insurance company), it is more difficult to return the money - you will have to prove that it was imposed under pressure. If it is included in purchase and sale agreement or loan agreement, the chances are higher.

⚠️ Attention: Came into force on March 1, 2026 Federal Law-46 “On the protection of consumer rights during distance selling”, which expanded the rights of buyers. Now, even if you signed the contract online (for example, through the dealer’s personal account), you have 7 days to refuse additional services without explanation.

Step 1: Checking the contract - where to look for a catch

Before writing a complaint, carefully study all documentswho signed. The “road assistance” service can be hidden in:

• 📄 Basic purchase and sale agreement — section “Additional services” or “Package of service options”.
• 💳 Loan agreement - often disguised as “compulsory insurance” or “service fee”.
• 📋 Annexes to the agreement - a separate sheet with small print, which the manager did not indicate.
• 🔄 Automatic renewal - a phrase like “the service is renewed automatically if you do not cancel 30 days in advance.”

Please note: service cost (sometimes it is overestimated by 2–3 times), validity period (may be tied to car warranty), failure conditions (sometimes they require written notice in advance).

If the contract was signed electronically (for example, via Diadoc or the dealer’s personal account), request a copy of it by email - by law you are required to provide it within 3 days.

Step 2: Writing a claim - samples for the dealer and bank

If a service has been imposed, the first step is written complaint. It needs to be sent: to the dealer (if the service is in the sales contract), jar (if in the loan agreement), insurance company (if issued as a separate policy).

Sample complaint to dealer:

To the Director of LLC "AvtoSalon"
Ivanov I.I.
from Petrov P.P.
(address, telephone, email)

CLAIM
about the return of money for the imposed service

“__”__________ 2026, I purchased a car [make, model, VIN] from you, concluding a purchase and sale agreement No. ___ dated “__”__________ 2026. The specified agreement, without my consent, included a paid service “Road assistance” in the amount of ___ rubles, which is a violation of Art. 16 of the Law “On Protection of Consumer Rights”.

I require:
1. Terminate the contract for the provision of the “Road Assistance” service (Appendix No.__ to the purchase and sale agreement).
2. Return the funds I paid in the amount of ___ rubles to the account [details] within 10 days from the date of receipt of the claim.

In case of refusal, I will be forced to turn to Rospotrebnadzor and the court to protect my rights.

Application:
1. Copy of the purchase and sale agreement (p. ___).
2. A copy of the payment document (check, statement).

Signature: _______ /Petrov P.P./

If the service was imposed by the bank, indicate in your complaint that its inclusion in the loan agreement violates Art. 16 ZPP and Art. 7 Federal Law “On Banks and Banking Activities” (the bank has no right to impose additional services as a condition of the loan).

⚠️ Attention: Submit a claim by registered mail with notification (via Russian Post) or hand over in person against signature at the office. Email is not considered an official method - if the case goes to court, you will need to prove that the claim was received.

Step 3: If refused - complaints to Rospotrebnadzor and the court

If the dealer or bank ignored the claim (or refused), follow this algorithm:

1. Complaint to Rospotrebnadzor. Submit a request on the website Rospotrebnadzor or apply through the MFC. In your complaint please indicate:
   • 📌 Name of the violating organization.
   • 📌 Date and number of the contract.
   • 📌 The essence of the violation (imposition of services).
   • 📌 The requirement to conduct an inspection and bring to justice.

Complaint to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation (if the bank is at fault). The Central Bank regulates the activities of credit institutions and can fine a bank for unfair practices.

Lawsuit. If the amount is controversial (for example, roadside assistance cost 20–50 thousand rubles), file a claim with district court at the location of the defendant. There is no need to pay state duty - claims for the protection of consumer rights are exempt from it (Article 17 of the Law of the Russian Federation).

The period for consideration of a complaint by Rospotrebnadzor is 30 days. If the violation is confirmed, the organization will be fined 10–50 thousand rubles (for legal entities), and they will help you return the money. In court, the process may take 2-3 months, but the chances of winning are high - judicial practice in such cases is almost always on the side of the consumer.

What to do if the service is already activated?

If roadside assistance is already connected and debits money (for example, monthly), first write an application to cancel the service to the insurance company or bank. Then demand a refund for the unused period. If they refuse, sue, indicating that the service was imposed.

Step 4: Refund through the bank (if debited from the card)

If roadside assistance was arranged through a bank (for example, as part of a car loan or as a separate option), and the money was debited from your card, you can try challenge the write-off through the issuing bank. This works if:

• 💳 The write-off went like recurring payment (automatic renewal).
• 📅 No more than 180 days have passed since the write-off.
• 📝 You have evidence that the service was imposed (for example, a recording of a conversation with a manager).

Instructions for challenging:

1. Call your bank (number on the back of your card) and tell them you want to dispute the charge as fraudulent.
2. Write a statement in free form demanding a refund. Indicate that the service was imposed without your consent.
3. Attach copies of the agreement, checks, correspondence with the dealer/bank.
4. The bank is obliged to consider the application within 30 days. If they refuse, you can complain to Central Bank of the Russian Federation or court.

Example of a successful return: client Sberbank disputed a write-off for roadside assistance in the amount of 12 thousand rubles, providing a recording of a conversation with the manager of a car dealership, where he said: “Without this, the loan will not be approved.” The bank returned the money after 2 weeks.

Common mistakes: what not to do when returning money

Many car owners lose the chance to get their money back due to simple mistakes. That's what can't do:

• 🗣️ Verbal agreements: if the manager promised to “sort it out” over the phone, this means nothing. Require everything in writing.
• ⏳ Delaying deadlines: according to the law, there is a refund 14 days (if the service is not provided) or 30 days (if provided partially). After this it will be more difficult to return.
• 📄 Sign new documents: Dealers sometimes offer to “re-issue” the contract to “correct the mistake.” In fact, this may disqualify you from returning.
• 💸 Agree to a “partial” refund: If you are offered to return 50% of the amount, demand everything. By law you are entitled to a full refund.

Another common trap is “compensation” in the form of a discount on the service. For example, instead of a refund, the dealer offers free maintenance. This benefits only the salon, not you - refuse.

⚠️ Attention: If you bought a car on credit and roadside assistance was included in the payment schedule, do not refuse it until the loan is fully repaid. This may lead to recalculation of interest. Consult a lawyer first.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

I was told that without roadside assistance they would not provide a warranty. Is this legal?

No, this is a violation Art. 16 ZPP. The vehicle warranty cannot depend on additional services. If a dealer refuses to provide a warranty without roadside assistance, this is grounds for a complaint. Rospotrebnadzor.

The service was issued as insurance. Is it possible to return it?

Yes, if insurance was imposed. By Art. 958 Civil Code of the Russian Federation you can cancel your insurance within 14 days (if it has not started) or request a refund for the unused period. Write a statement to the insurance company demanding to terminate the contract.

The dealer agrees to return the money, but only after 2 months. This is fine?

No. By law, the money must be returned within 10 days after receiving the claim (Article 31 of the Law of the Russian Federation). If they delay, write a complaint to Rospotrebnadzor or sue.

Is it possible to get a refund if the service has already been used (for example, a tow truck was called)?

You can get a refund for the unused period. For example, if the service cost 20 thousand rubles for a year, and you called a tow truck once (the cost of a trip is 3 thousand rubles), demand a return of 17 thousand rubles.

Where to complain if the dealer is from another region?

You can complain to Rospotrebnadzor at the location of the dealer (through the department’s website) or to the court at your place of residence (Article 17 of the Law of the Law of the Russian Federation gives such a right to consumers).