Appliance Warranties and Your Consumer Rights in the UK
A plain-English guide to manufacturer warranties, extended cover and your rights under the Consumer Rights Act when a household appliance fails.
When an appliance fails soon after you bought it, two different things might help you: the warranty and your legal rights as a consumer. They are not the same, and many people overlook the second. This guide explains both in plain terms. It is general information, not legal advice.
Warranties versus your statutory rights
A warranty or guarantee is an extra promise from the manufacturer or retailer, often for one or two years. Its terms are set by the company and might require registration, regular servicing or use of approved engineers.
Statutory rights come from the law, mainly the Consumer Rights Act 2015 in the UK. When you buy goods from a trader, they must generally be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. These rights exist whether or not you have a warranty, and the retailer, not the manufacturer, is normally the party responsible.
How the rights typically work
In simple terms, for goods that develop a fault:
- Within 30 days of purchase, you can generally reject faulty goods and ask for a refund.
- Within six months, the trader normally gets one chance to repair or replace, and the fault is presumed to have been there at purchase unless they prove otherwise.
- After six months, you may need to show the fault was present at the time of purchase, though rights can continue for a longer period depending on how long the item should reasonably last.
These time periods are a summary and individual circumstances differ, so check official consumer guidance if the amount is significant.
What to do when something breaks
- Check the age of the appliance, the receipt and any warranty terms.
- Contact the retailer first, describing the fault and quoting the date of purchase.
- Keep copies of emails, order numbers and photos.
- Ask for the remedy you are entitled to, such as repair, replacement or refund, and put it in writing.
- Do not pay an independent engineer to open up the appliance before you have checked the position, since that could complicate a claim.
Is extended cover worth it?
It depends. Consider:
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What does it exclude? | Many plans exclude wear and tear or accidental damage |
| What is the excess? | A fee per claim reduces the value |
| Who repairs the appliance? | You may be limited to approved engineers |
| How old is the appliance? | Cover may overlap with existing rights and warranties |
| What is the monthly or upfront cost? | Compare it with likely repair costs |
Read the terms carefully, because plans vary widely. For a cheap or very reliable appliance, the cost can outweigh the benefit.
When the warranty has ended
Once cover has expired, you pay for repairs yourself. The best approach is to compare quotes and weigh them against replacement. Our repair or replace rule of thumb helps, and our guide to call-out fees explains how quotes are structured.
Using a third-party engineer
Having an independent engineer repair an appliance still under warranty may invalidate the warranty in some cases, so check first. If you hire someone through Compito, the platform lets you compare ID-verified local providers and keep the booking record, but warranty terms are between you and the manufacturer or seller.
Keep good records
Store receipts, serial numbers and repair invoices together, perhaps as photos in a single folder. It makes any claim far easier. Note repeated faults, because a pattern may strengthen your case.
A worked example
You buy a washing machine from a high street retailer and four months later it stops draining. Because it is inside six months, you contact the retailer, give the purchase date and describe the fault. They would normally be expected to offer one repair or a replacement. If that repair fails, you may be entitled to a refund, possibly with a deduction for the use you have had. Keeping the original order email and a short video of the fault makes the conversation far simpler.
Common mistakes
- Contacting only the manufacturer when your contract is with the shop.
- Throwing away packaging, receipts or order emails too soon.
- Agreeing to a verbal fix with no record of what was promised.
- Paying a third party for diagnosis before telling the retailer.
- Assuming an expired warranty means all rights have gone.
Edge cases
Renting or in a rental home: if the landlord supplied the appliance, report the fault to them, since repairs to supplied appliances are typically their responsibility under the tenancy. Check your tenancy agreement.
Gifted or inherited appliances: the original buyer may be the only person with a claim, so keep any paperwork that exists.
Bought online: you generally have additional cancellation rights in the first weeks, separate from fault rights. The details differ, so check official guidance.
Where to get further help
If a retailer refuses to engage, official consumer advice services and, for card purchases, your card provider may be able to help. This is general information rather than legal advice, so look at current official guidance for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register my appliance for my rights to apply?
No. Statutory rights do not depend on registering. A manufacturer's warranty might, so check its terms.
Who do I contact first, the shop or the manufacturer?
Normally the retailer, because your contract is with them. A manufacturer's warranty is separate and handled by them.
Does the law cover second-hand appliances?
Rights can differ depending on whether you bought from a trader or privately. Buying from a private seller gives you much weaker protection, so check the position before you buy.
Can I claim for something that has simply worn out?
Normal wear and tear is not usually a fault, but goods should last a reasonable time. What is reasonable depends on the type and price of the appliance.
What if the retailer has gone out of business?
Your claim may be harder to pursue against the retailer, so check whether a manufacturer warranty applies or whether you paid by card, which can sometimes offer another route. Official consumer advice can explain the options.