Should you register the guarantee?
Always register a new appliance. Failing to do so can invalidate any guarantee beyond the first 12 months, and – more importantly – means safety recall notices may never reach you. Registration is the primary way manufacturers contact owners when a dangerous fault is discovered.
Registering a new appliance is not compulsory – the standard 12-month manufacturer’s guarantee applies whether or not the appliance is registered. However, there are two important reasons to register it anyway, and both are worth taking seriously.
Two Good Reasons to Register Every Appliance
Reason 1 – Extended guarantees may require registration
Appliances always include at least a 12-month manufacturer’s guarantee. However, some come with two, five, or even ten-year guarantees. These longer guarantees are usually conditional on registering the appliance. If registration is not completed, the manufacturer may refuse to carry out free repairs once the first 12 months have elapsed – even if the appliance is within the stated guarantee period.
Statutory rights under consumer law still apply regardless of whether the appliance is registered. If an appliance has an inherent fault or fails to last a reasonable time, there is still recourse under the Consumer Rights Act – but this may require effort and advice to enforce. See: consumer rights and faulty appliances.
Reason 2 – Safety recalls cannot reach unregistered owners
When a manufacturer discovers a serious safety fault with an appliance – a fire risk, an electrical fault, a gas leak risk – the first action is to contact every customer known to own the affected model. This is done through the guarantee registration database.
Beyond that, the only options available are press advertisements and public announcements, which many owners will never see. An unregistered owner may have a dangerous appliance in their home and never know about it. Serious safety issues are discovered more often than most people would expect – sometimes many years after the appliance was sold.
Fire risks, electrical faults, and gas hazards have been discovered in appliances years after sale. Without registration, there is no reliable way for the manufacturer to notify owners of affected models. See the full list of known notices: appliance safety notices.
How to Register an Appliance
Registration can usually be completed online through the manufacturer’s website, or by sending in the paper guarantee registration card included with the appliance. Online registration is quicker and provides confirmation that the registration has been received. Both methods achieve the same result – the appliance is linked to the owner’s contact details in the manufacturer’s database.
Even for appliances purchased second-hand, it is worth contacting the manufacturer to update the registration details where possible.
Consumer Rights Act and faulty appliances – All appliance safety notices
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to register my appliance to get the guarantee?
The standard 12-month manufacturer’s guarantee applies whether or not the appliance is registered. However, longer guarantees – two, five, or ten years – are often conditional on registration. Failing to register may mean the manufacturer refuses free repairs once the first year has elapsed, even if the appliance is within the stated guarantee period.
What happens if I don’t register my appliance?
Beyond potentially losing an extended guarantee, the main risk is missing safety recall notifications. When a serious fault is discovered – such as a fire or electrical risk – manufacturers contact registered owners directly. Unregistered owners have no reliable way of being informed and may continue using a dangerous appliance without knowing it. See: appliance safety notices.
Am I still protected by consumer law if I don’t register?
Yes. Statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act apply regardless of whether an appliance is registered or not. If an appliance has an inherent fault or fails to last a reasonable time, there is still legal recourse. However, enforcing these rights may require more effort than simply making a guarantee claim. See: consumer rights and faulty appliances.