The 30-day rejection period is only the first stage. After that, repair or replacement can become the primary remedy, and the legal position changes again after six months.
After 30 days, the remedy changes
Once the short-term right to reject has normally expired, a consumer with faulty goods can usually seek a repair or replacement under the Consumer Rights Act, subject to the statutory conditions.
The retailer generally cannot simply say “the warranty ended after 12 months”. A manufacturer's warranty is separate from statutory consumer rights against the trader.
The six-month rule is a rebuttable presumption
GOV.UK explains that if a customer returns an item within six months because it is faulty, the trader must repair or replace it unless it can prove the item was not faulty when sold. This is a presumption, not an absolute rule that every fault discovered within six months must be repaired regardless of cause.
After six months, the consumer may need to show that the fault was present at the relevant time. The evidence burden therefore becomes more important.
What if repair or replacement fails?
The Act provides further remedies in defined circumstances. These can include a price reduction or a final right to reject. The exact remedy depends on the nature of the goods, the previous repair or replacement attempts, timing and the statutory conditions.
What does “six years” actually mean?
The commonly quoted six-year figure in England and Wales is generally a limitation period for bringing a claim, not a six-year warranty and not an automatic right to free repair at any point during six years. In Scotland the corresponding limitation period is generally five years.
This distinction is crucial for accurate consumer advice: durability obligations and limitation periods are related but not identical concepts.
Build the proof when the item fails
- Purchase date and receipt.
- Date the fault appeared.
- Photos or videos.
- How the item was used.
- Any manufacturer diagnostic report.
- Repair attempts and retailer responses.
- Evidence of similar failures where relevant.
What this means practically
- The first 30 days, first six months and later limitation period are different legal stages.
- Do not describe six years as a six-year warranty.
- After six months, evidence of the original fault becomes more important.
- Use the retailer's statutory obligations, not just the manufacturer's warranty.
- Check whether the case is in England/Wales or Scotland before quoting a limitation period.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Accepting returns and giving refunds: the law: gov.uk
- Legislation.gov.uk — Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods remedies: legislation.gov.uk
- Law Commission / Scottish Law Commission — Consumer remedies for faulty goods: scotlawcom.gov.uk
Related Kibbo Tools
- Return & Refund Evidence Pack — track the fault date, the six-month presumption, repairs, and remedies.
- Refund & Warranty Claim Generator — structure a statutory repair/replacement request to the seller.