Consumer advice information

Guarantees and warranties

In this guide, the words 'must' or 'must not' are used where businesses are legally required to do (or not do) something. The word 'should' is used where there is established legal guidance or best practice that is likely to help businesses avoid breaking the law.

This guidance is for England, Scotland and Wales

Guarantees and warranties add to the legal rights you have as a consumer, but must not affect those rights in any way. Details will usually be found within the receipt / sales confirmation, with the goods themselves or in a warranty pack.

WHAT IS A GUARANTEE?

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a guarantee is an agreement given by a trader to a consumer, without any extra charge, to repair, replace or refund goods that do not meet the standards set out in the guarantee. A guarantee is usually issued by the manufacturer of goods or by a trader that provides goods as part of a service (replacement windows, for instance). Generally, a guarantee provider agrees to carry out free repairs, for a set period of time, for problems caused by manufacturing faults. You may have to register the guarantee online or complete and return a registration card. Registering a guarantee means that you can be easily contacted if the product is recalled or a safety alert is issued.

An insurance-backed guarantee provides the consumer with protection where the trader who provided the goods or service under guarantee ceases to trade and can no longer honour the guarantee. The insurance company provides back-up for the rest of the guarantee period.

A manufacturer's guarantee can be especially helpful if the trader who you bought the goods from is no longer trading and you are unable to claim a refund, repair or replacement from them.

WHAT IS A WARRANTY?

A warranty (or extended warranty) can be described as a contract providing cover for goods, which is entered into by a consumer and for which they pay a fee. A warranty is a form of insurance policy that covers the unexpected failure or breakdown of goods, usually after the manufacturer's or trader's guarantee has run out, although it can cover the same time period as a guarantee because it may offer 'extras'. Check the start date of the warranty before you go ahead.

Some warranties are service contracts rather than being insurance-backed. You should always check the type of warranty before you buy it.

Warranties can offer different levels of protection, from the most basic cover to those that provide comprehensive cover. For instance, you may be covered only for the 'market value' of the goods, which means their second-hand value after use, or you may be covered 'new for old'.

Do not assume that a warranty will provide cover for all problems you have with the goods. They usually have exclusions or limits on the cover you receive.

WHAT LEGAL PROTECTION DO YOU GET WITH WARRANTIES AND GUARANTEES?

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 states that if a guarantee provider offers a guarantee on goods supplied to consumers, the provider has a duty to honour the conditions set out in the guarantee. For example, if the guarantee provider refuses to repair goods, as set out under the terms of the guarantee, you can take legal action against the provider of the guarantee. This could be claiming back the cost of repairs carried out by another trader.

The guarantee must be written in English and the terms must be set out clearly. The name and address of the guarantee provider, how long the guarantee lasts for and the location it covers must also be given. You have the right to ask for the guarantee to be provided within a reasonable time and in writing.

If you have a problem with an insurance-backed extended warranty that was sold to you, which you have not resolved with the warranty provider, you are entitled to take your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service. For problems with non-insurance-backed extended warranties, contact the Citizens Advice consumer service.

Under the Supply of Extended Warranties on Domestic Electrical Goods Order 2005, traders that supply extended warranties on domestic electrical goods must give consumers important information before the sale of the extended warranty.

Traders supplying this type of extended warranty are required to:

clearly display the price and duration of the warranty
make it clear that the warranty is optional; you do not have to take it out
give you information on your legal rights
inform you that the warranty does not have to be bought at the time the goods are bought
provide details of cancellation and termination rights
inform you that warranties may be available elsewhere
provide a statement on the financial protection that is available if the provider of the extended warranty goes out of business
state whether or not the warranty will cease if a claim is made
inform you that your household insurance may be relevant to the purchase of the goods
give a quotation in writing and inform you that the quotation price is valid for at least 30 days if the warranty costs more than £20
allow you to cancel it within 45 days and get a refund if a claim has not been made and if the warranty can last for more than one year
allow you to cancel it and receive a part-refund after 45 days even if a claim has been made and if the warranty can last for more than one year
inform you about your cancellation rights in writing and no more than 24 days after the warranty was bought if the warranty cost more than £20 and is over a year long

If insurance-backed guarantees and warranties are marketed and sold at a distance - without face-to-face contact between the consumer and trader, such as online - the Financial Services (Distance Marketing) Regulations 2004 apply. These Regulations cover the distance marketing of consumer financial services and set out information that must be given to you before and after a contract is finalised. You have the right to cancel a financial services distance contract and the cancellation period for this type of insurance is 14 calendar days, which runs from the day after the day the contract is finalised. The 'Distance marketing of financial services: your rights' guide gives more information.

The guarantee provider must ensure the guarantee states that you have legal rights in relation to the goods and that your rights are not affected by the guarantee. You can decide which route is best for you - using your legal rights or claiming under guarantee. See the guide 'Sale and supply of goods: your consumer rights' for more information.

Take note that, in relation to the rules on guarantees, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 only covers goods and not services or digital content.

WHAT SHOULD YOU CONSIDER BEFORE YOU BUY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY?

consider whether you actually need an extended warranty - for example, does your home insurance policy provide all the cover you need?
there are a wide variety of warranty providers, so shop around for the best warranty at the right price before you buy. You don't have to buy in-store at the same time as buying the accompanying product
be careful when buying extended warranties that are paid for on a monthly basis as, long term, these can be very expensive
watch out for high-pressure selling of warranties
ensure you have clear information on the costs and the benefits of the warranty
it is important to find out what the warranty does not cover

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. I bought a fridge-freezer 18 months ago and the freezer section has completely failed. I went back to the shop, but they refused to do anything as it was outside the original 12-month guarantee. What are my rights?
A. If the time limit has expired on the guarantee, you cannot make a claim. However, if you can show that the goods were not of satisfactory quality at the time of sale, then you may have a claim against the trader under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. See the 'Sale and supply of goods: your consumer rights' guide for more information.

Q. I had damp-proofing work carried out on my house five years ago by a limited company, but I've noticed some rising damp under a bay window. I didn't think this should have happened so soon. I complained to the company that carried out the work as I had been told it was covered by a ten-year guarantee. However, the company claims that the original company went into liquidation and it is in fact a totally different company. It is refusing to honour the guarantee or carry out any remedial work unless I pay. Can they do this?
A. Your contract for the work and the guarantee was with the original limited company and it is responsible only whilst it is trading. If it ceases trading or the premises has been taken over by another business, you cannot enforce the guarantee. If you paid for the work by credit card or on finance arranged by the trader and if it cost more than £100 but less than £30,000, you are protected by the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Section 75 of the Act makes the card / finance provider as responsible as the trader for a breach of contract or a misrepresentation. You are entitled to take action against the trader, the card / finance provider or both. This does not apply to charge cards or debit cards. Some companies offer insurance-backed guarantees for this sort of work. This means that the guarantee is underwritten by an insurance company and exists in its own right, separate from the company that carried out the work. If the company disappears or goes bust, you should still be able to make a claim under the guarantee from the insurance company for the lifetime of the guarantee. Check your guarantee carefully. The 'I can't contact the trader: what can I do?' guide gives more information.

Q. I bought a used car six weeks ago and the dealer persuaded me to buy a 12-month warranty. I thought that this would cover me for everything that went wrong during this time. The cam belt has just failed and this has led to a very high repair bill. However, the warranty company have just pointed to a clause in the policy that excludes liability for cam belt failures and the dealer won't pay for the repair. What are my rights?
A. With any warranty it is essential that you read the terms and conditions before you decide to buy it. The warranty company may be entitled to rely on this exclusion clause. You still have a contract with the dealer who sold you the car. You could argue that the dealer is in breach of contract and that, under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the car is not of satisfactory quality. See the 'Used motor vehicles: your rights' and 'Sale and supply of goods: your consumer rights' guides for more information.

Q. I arranged for a builder to build a small extension last year. He told me that all his work was 'guaranteed', but I didn't get anything in writing. The pointing in the brickwork is now defective, but he refuses to put it right. When I mentioned the guarantee, he said: "What guarantee?" What rights do I have against him?
A. This shows the importance of getting a written guarantee. Without this, it is impossible to prove that you were offered a guarantee or, indeed, what the extent of the cover might be. Remember that you have a contract with the builder that is covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and the work must be carried out with reasonable care and skill. The 'Supply of services: your consumer rights' guide gives more information.

Q. I bought a new motorbike last year that came with a manufacturer's six-year anti-corrosion and paintwork guarantee. The exhaust has started to rust and the paint on the tank is peeling so the bike will probably need major re-painting and re-chroming work, which will be costly. The manufacturer is refusing to honour the guarantee and, as this was one of my main reasons for buying this brand, I am very annoyed. What should I do?
A. Even though you did not pay for it, the guarantee provider takes on a contractual obligation to honour the terms of the guarantee under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. You are entitled to take legal action against the manufacturer. You can also complain to the dealer who you bought the motorbike from as you have rights under the same law if the motorbike is not of satisfactory quality. If you paid for the motorbike on your credit card or on finance arranged by the dealer, then you may have rights against the card or finance provider. See the 'Buying a motorcycle' guide for more information.

Q. My product comes with a lifetime guarantee. What does this mean?
A. Some manufacturers offer a lifetime guarantee on their products - for example, a manufacturer may repair or replace a product free of charge if it develops a manufacturing fault at any time during its life. If the product is no longer available, the manufacturer might replace it with an alternative one from its current range. There is no set definition of what a lifetime guarantee covers, so read the terms and conditions before you make the purchase. Problems such as wear and tear, accidental damage and poor aftercare are likely to be excluded.

Q. I bought an extended insurance-backed warranty online. I have changed my mind and want to cancel. What can I do?
A. Under the Financial Services (Distance Marketing) Regulations 2004, you have the right to cancel within 14 calendar days from the day after the day you bought the warranty. You should check the website for details of how you can exercise your right to cancel and then inform the supplier. The supplier must refund your money within 30 calendar days from the day you cancelled. See 'Distance marketing of financial services: your rights' for more information.

Q. The manufacturer said that I cannot claim under the guarantee because I didn't 'register' the goods with them, what can I do?
A. It is common for manufacturers to ask you to register the goods for guarantee purposes by completing and returning a registration card or by registering online. If you did not register your goods, the manufacturer may claim that the guarantee is not valid. Try contacting the manufacturer in writing and include proof of purchase for the goods to see if they will accept a late registration.

Q. I think that the trader deliberately misled me over the guarantee. What can I do?
A. The trader may have breached the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, which prohibit traders from engaging in unfair trading practices. You should contact the Citizens Advice consumer service, which will be able to advise you and refer your complaint to Trading Standards. If you enter a contract because a trader misled you or because the trader used an aggressive commercial practice, the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 give you rights to redress: the right to unwind the contract, the right to a discount and the right to damages. The 'Misleading and aggressive practices: rights to redress' guide gives more information.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MY LEGAL RIGHTS?

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you rights when you make a contract with a trader for the supply of goods, services and digital content.

The 'Sale and supply of goods: your consumer rights', 'Supply of digital content: your consumer rights' and 'Supply of services: your consumer rights' guides give more information on your rights and remedies.

The 'Sale and supply of goods: what to do if things go wrong', 'Supply of digital content: what to do if things go wrong' and 'Supply of services: what to do if thing go wrong' guides give you a clear direction to follow when you want to complain.

IN THIS UPDATE

No major changes.

Last reviewed / updated: October 2024

Key legislation

Please note

This information is intended for guidance; only the courts can give an authoritative interpretation of the law.

The guide's 'Key legislation' links may only show the original version of the legislation, although some amending legislation is linked to separately where it is directly related to the content of a guide. Information on amendments to legislation can be found on each link's 'More Resources' tab.

For further information in England and Wales contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 2231133. In Scotland contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000. Both provide free, confidential and impartial advice on consumer issues.

The county council is not responsible for this information.