Is a 3 month guarantee on repairs reasonable?
A 3-month guarantee on an appliance repair is not reasonable. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, any repair must be of satisfactory quality and last a reasonable time – which clearly extends well beyond three months. You have statutory rights that no repair company can override, regardless of the guarantee period they offer.
When you pay for an appliance repair, you expect it to last. So what happens when a repair company only offers a 3-month guarantee? Is that acceptable – and what are your rights if the same fault comes back after the guarantee expires?
Why a 3-Month Repair Guarantee Is Not Good Enough
Some appliance repair companies – particularly larger national firms – offer only a 3-month guarantee on their repairs and parts. This is a very short period that does not reflect the standard consumers are legally entitled to.
A guarantee this short raises an obvious question: if a company is confident in the quality of their work and the parts they fit, why won’t they stand behind them for longer? A 3-month guarantee suggests a company is looking to limit its liability rather than reassure its customers.
Always ask the repair company how long they guarantee their work and parts before confirming a booking. A reputable company should offer at least 12 months. All repair companies listed on Whitegoods Help offer up to 12-month guarantees.
What Does the Consumer Rights Act 2015 Say?
Your legal rights as a consumer do not begin and end with the guarantee a company chooses to offer. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, any repair must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, and the outcome – including any parts fitted – must be of satisfactory quality and last a reasonable time.
A repair company’s guarantee is offered in addition to your statutory rights, not instead of them. No matter what guarantee period a company advertises, they cannot legally use it to remove the protections you already have by law.
The repair and any parts fitted must meet the standard a reasonable person would expect – which is clearly more than three months of operation.
There is no fixed definition in law, but “reasonable time” for a repaired appliance would typically be measured in years, not months.
A Real-World Example: What a Short Guarantee Actually Means for You
Imagine paying £200 or more to have a new part fitted to your washing machine. The repair company offers a 3-month guarantee. Four months later, the same part fails again.
Under their guarantee terms, they would expect you to pay again. But under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have a strong argument that the part was not fit for purpose and did not last a reasonable time. No reasonable person would consider a few months adequate for an expensive repair.
Within the first 6 months: If a newly fitted part fails within six months of the repair, the law assumes it was inherently faulty at the time it was fitted. The burden is on the repair company to prove otherwise – not on you to prove it was faulty.
What If the Repair Company Refuses to Help?
If the same fault returns and the company refuses to put it right without charge, you have several options. Start by writing to the company formally, setting out your complaint and referencing the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
If they still refuse, you can consider taking the matter to a small claims court, or seek further guidance from Citizens Advice.
- Write a formal complaint letter citing the Consumer Rights Act 2015
- Ask for the matter to be escalated to a manager or complaints department
- Contact Citizens Advice for free guidance on your options
- Consider a small claims court claim if the amount warrants it
For more on this, see our guide on claiming compensation from a retailer or repairer.
How Long Should an Appliance Repair Guarantee Be?
Twelve months is the minimum Whitegoods Help recommends. This gives you a clear window in which the repair company accepts responsibility for their work without debate.
Even after a 12-month guarantee expires, your statutory rights may still apply. If you paid a significant sum to have a non-wearing part replaced – such as a control board or motor – and it failed after 14 or 18 months, you could still have a valid claim depending on the cost and the expected lifespan of that component.
| Guarantee Period | What It Signals | Our Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | Minimal confidence in the repair or parts | Not acceptable – avoid |
| 6 months | Below average – limits your practical protection | Poor – proceed with caution |
| 12 months | Industry standard – demonstrates confidence in workmanship | Acceptable minimum |
| 12+ months | Strong commitment to quality and customer confidence | Ideal – look for this |
What About Repairs Where No Parts Are Fitted?
Sometimes an engineer fixes a fault without replacing any physical parts – for example, resealing a leak or clearing a blockage. In these cases, the same principle applies: the repair must be of sufficient quality to last a reasonable time.
If you pay to have a leak sealed and the same leak returns shortly after, you are entitled to challenge whether the repair was carried out to an adequate standard.
That said, there are situations where an engineer may reasonably advise that a fix is temporary or carries some risk of recurring. If this is made clear upfront – and noted on the invoice – that changes the picture. You are then making an informed decision about whether to proceed.
Ask your engineer to note any limitations or uncertainties about a repair on the invoice. This protects both you and them, and ensures there is no dispute later about what was agreed.
All repair companies listed on Whitegoods Help offer up to 12-month guarantees on repairs and parts. Book with confidence.
Related Guides
Out of Guarantee? You May Still Be Covered
Your statutory rights extend beyond any manufacturer’s guarantee. Find out when you can still make a claim.
Faulty Appliances and the Consumer Rights Act
A full guide to your legal rights when an appliance develops a fault, whether new or repaired.
Why Are There So Many Repair Horror Stories?
What to watch out for when booking an appliance repair, and how to protect yourself.
Why Consumers Don’t Use Their Rights
Most people give up too easily when facing a faulty appliance or a poor repair. Here’s what you should know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 3-month appliance repair guarantee legal?
Yes, it is legal for a company to offer a 3-month guarantee, but it does not remove your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Any repair must last a reasonable time regardless of what the guarantee states, and the company’s guarantee cannot override your legal protections.
What can I do if an appliance repair fails after the guarantee expires?
You may still have a valid claim under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 if the repair did not last a reasonable time. Start by writing a formal complaint to the repair company. If they refuse to help, you can seek advice from Citizens Advice or consider a small claims court claim.
How long should a repair guarantee last?
Whitegoods Help recommends a minimum of 12 months as the standard to look for. This applies to both the labour and any parts fitted. All repair companies listed on Whitegoods Help offer up to 12-month guarantees.
Does the Consumer Rights Act 2015 cover appliance repairs?
Yes. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, services – including appliance repairs – must be carried out with reasonable care and skill. Any parts supplied must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. These rights apply regardless of the guarantee period offered by the repair company.
What if a part fails within 6 months of being fitted?
Within the first six months after a repair, the law assumes that any fault was present from the time the repair was carried out. This means the repair company would need to prove the part was not faulty when fitted – the burden of proof is on them, not on you.
Can a repair company charge me again if the same fault comes back?
If the same fault returns within a reasonable period, you should not have to pay again. You can challenge this under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. If the company insists on charging, write a formal complaint and seek advice from Citizens Advice before paying anything further.