Warranties and statutory rights on used parts

A supplier's voluntary warranty and your statutory rights are different things. A warranty is an additional promise on stated terms. Rights under consumer law may apply when a consumer buys goods from a trader, but the remedy depends on who sold the part, what the contract said, what was disclosed and what went wrong.

Read the offer before paying. Check the warranty duration, start point, covered faults, exclusions, claim steps and evidence requirements. Ask whether professional fitting, diagnostic reports or maintenance records are required, whether labour is covered and who pays removal, return carriage and refitting costs.

Condition and description matter. A used item can show wear consistent with its age and description. That does not allow a trader to remove applicable statutory standards by writing 'sold as seen', but an accurately disclosed defect and a fault that appears later can affect the analysis. Private sales are governed differently from trader-to-consumer sales.

Preserve evidence. Save the listing, invoice, complete part number, photographs, payment record, fitting invoice, diagnostic report and all messages. Notify the seller promptly and allow the facts to be examined. Do not authorise costly work on a disputed item without first checking the contract and obtaining appropriate advice.

Use the right route for a dispute. The legislation and Citizens Advice guidance below explain the general framework. They cannot decide an individual claim. If the seller disputes liability, describe the evidence in writing and seek Citizens Advice or qualified legal advice rather than assuming an automatic refund or fixed warranty period.

No inspection can guarantee the remaining life of a used part. Confirm identity, condition evidence, fitting requirements and written supplier terms for the individual item.