'How Is That Fair?': 18 Year-Old Teen Rejected for Estate Agent Role Because Her Car Was Too Old

An 18-year-old woman in the United Kingdom says she was denied a job opportunity as a trainee estate agent after a prospective employer deemed her 'too old,' raising concerns about hiring practices and possible discrimination.

​According to a report by The Telegraph, Alanah Thompson French applied for a trainee lettings negotiator role with Haart in December 2025 but was not shortlisted for an interview after disclosing details about her vehicle, a 2014 Citroën C1.

The company reportedly cited the age of her car as a reason for rejecting her application, despite the vehicle having relatively low mileage.

Vehicle Policy Blocks Application

Haart reportedly informed her that having 'access to a vehicle under 10 years old' was a prerequisite. Alanah, a full-time barista in Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire, said she had raised money to pay for her £2,800 car by working two jobs for more than a year, which has only logged 40,000 miles.

​Alanah said it was not clearly communicated to her that selecting a box on Haart's application form to indicate her car was beyond 10 years old would automatically disqualify her from the position.

'It's just a bit of a kick in the teeth because obviously when you're applying for jobs, you're applying for loads and loads of jobs and to get an email back saying that... I just don't understand it,' Alanah told BBC News.

​She also said she felt the policy was unfair, noting that losing the opportunity also meant missing out on the chance to get a better car and insurance. 'It doesn't seem fair because how am I meant to afford a bigger and better car? And how am I meant to get insured?' per The Negotiator.

Haart Defends Policy, Says It's Being Reviewed

The estate agency's decision has raised concerns about hiring practices, particularly for entry-level roles. Critics argue that setting such a condition may unfairly exclude otherwise qualified candidates.

​In a statement, a Haart spokesperson acknowledged that their policy may be discouraging for some applicants, and confirmed that the concerns raised were being reviewed. 'We understand why our car policy may feel frustrating for some applicants, particularly those starting out in their careers, and we recognise the concerns that have been raised. Our intention has always been to support people into the industry, not create barriers,' the spokesperson for Haart said.

​Further, he explained that the company previously provided cars for new employees, but the high tax costs have made it impractical for many. As a result, Haart transitioned to a system where staff use their own cars, a move intended to offer more flexibility while easing the financial strain with company-provided vehicles.

​'For roles that involve regular travel, often over long distances and sometimes working alone, it is important that vehicles are reliable and suitable for the demands of the job. That said, we are reviewing how this requirement works in practice, particularly for those entering the industry, to ensure it remains appropriate and supports our ambition to attract new talent,' he added.

​Family Criticises Policy as Unfair

​Jenni French, Alanah's mother, told The Telegraph that if the impact of the car's age on her daughter's application had only been made clear, she could have helped her daughter secure a newer vehicle.

She also pointed out that Haart's policy did not consider the car's condition or how long her daughter had used it, focusing only on whether it was under ten years old.

​'Haart didn't ask anything about the state of the car, or how long Alanah had been driving, just if her car was less than 10 years old. Then she got the rejection email,' Jenni said.