Following a few enquiries to the CAI regarding where we all stand legally on the length of guarantees we must honour by law, we asked our friend Mike Floodgate at RETRA to help us. Here is his response in full…
There would appear to be no legislation that has been passed in the UK that requires retailers in the UK to replace or repair faulty goods free of charge for a period of up to "X years" from date of delivery apart from the period of "rejection" which last few a short period of time immediately after delivery of the goods.
However under the Sale of Goods to Consumer Legislation 2002, consumer have certain rights that include the right to obtain a free repair or replacement if the goods become faulty during the first 6 months from date of purchase as it is assumed that the goods were faulty at the time of sale.
After this period, under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended) consumers in the UK have up to 6 years from date of purchase to claim in a court of law that the goods were either faulty at the time of sale or were not of sufficient durability taking into account price, quality and intended use. However this does not mean that during this time goods should not go wrong or that a reasonable price should not be paid for their repair.
That is how the UK legislation reads at this time - but equally the European Directive EC1999/44/EC definitely states that from 2002 member states will legislate that consumer have 2 years from date of delivery to claim a free repair or replacement if the goods they purchased become faulty!!! But this directive was never brought into UK law!!
Any warranty that is freely given is a legally binding agreement!