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Statutory Rights

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Biccylova | 15:11 Fri 07th Oct 2016 | Law
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So, I understand that goods should last a "reasonable time" what is reasonable? my washing machine has lasted two and a half years its a boch and was expensive, I expected several more years out of it as it only has light use, am I being "unreasonable" as Hughes says, what can I try now?
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Let's separate the warranty (as it's been mentioned here) from your statutory rights: A warranty can be as generous or as limited as the manufacturer chooses. (It's a 'gift' that's entirely separate to the contract of purchase with the retailer). So if the manufacturer says that the guarantee is only valid for two years there's no way that you can challenge...
16:50 Fri 07th Oct 2016
When you say it has lasted only 2.5 years what is wrong with it. Why cant it be repaired ?
A Bosch, expensive, light use? should definitely last longer than 2.5 years in my opinion. My machine is an inexpensive Hotpoint and is in its sixth year, I replaced the circuit board a few months ago, which was the first repair. What has gone wrong with your machine?
Question Author
I am hoping it can be repaired but don't think I should have to pay for it, I think its the programmer as it don't finish what its doing and I have to put it on a rinse and spin before I can get the laundry out.
I would go back to the retailer in the first instance and Adivise them that you wouldnt expect this item to have failed in such a short time, so you believe it cannot have been of satisfactory quality when you purchased it. You would like it replaced or repaired at their expense in a reasonable period of time. Dont let them point you to Bosch the maufacturer it is their responsibility to deal with it. Did you take out an extended warranty ? or did the machine come with a warranty for x years. ?
yeah I think 2.5 y is a reasonable time ....

try writing to Bosch and giving 'feedback'
Looks as if the warranty period is for two years. As emeritus said try retailer first and then manufacturer. I have friends with different washing machines and over the years the machines break down within a few months of the warranty expiring, too often for coincidence.
http://www.bosch-home.co.uk/customer-service/register-your-appliance-and-warranty.html
Let's separate the warranty (as it's been mentioned here) from your statutory rights:

A warranty can be as generous or as limited as the manufacturer chooses. (It's a 'gift' that's entirely separate to the contract of purchase with the retailer). So if the manufacturer says that the guarantee is only valid for two years there's no way that you can challenge that decision.

Your statutory rights are based around the concept of an 'inherent fault'. i.e. something which was already wrong with the product at the time of purchase (such as the inclusion of poor quality components in the product). If a fault develops within the first SIX MONTHS after purchase, the law automatically assumes that it must have done so due to the the presence of an inherent fault (unless there's clear evidence to the contrary).
[Section 19(14) Consumer Rights act 2015]

Thereafter it's up to the purchaser to show that there was actually something wrong with the item at the time of purchase. (e.g. by paying for an independent report to prove that there was an 'inherent fault'). If he can't do so, then he has no further contractual rights, in respect of a repair or replacement, with the retailer.

The best line of attack can often be to ask the retailer to suggest why the machine could have failed for any reason other than due to the presence of an inherent fault. That might back him into a corner, forcing him to accept that only an inherent fault is likely to have been the cause of the problem. However the retailer isn't obliged to respond to your request for him to suggest the likely cause of the failure, so that approach won't always work.

Other than that, all you can do is to complain via social media (in the hope that either the retailer or the manufacturer will respond positively to the bad publicity) and/or seek the assistance of the press (e.g. you local newspaper or the consumer rights columnists in the national newspapers) to put the retailer and/or manufacturer under pressure to act.
Question Author
Many thanks, don't look like there is much hope, but I intend to keep plugging away at it, will let you all know if I get a good result in the end.

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