Faulty goods
Warranty vs consumer rights in Ireland
A practical guide to the difference between a warranty or guarantee and Irish consumer rights when goods are faulty.
- CCPC says remedies may be sought for faulty goods
- 6 years
- short-term refund period for faulty goods
- 30 days
- warranties sit beside consumer rights
- extra
Check your dispute first
Answer a few questions to see your options before writing your complaint.
Check your options"It is out of warranty" can make a faulty-product dispute feel over, even when the product failed earlier than expected or the issue appears to have been present from the start.
A warranty or guarantee is usually an extra promise from a retailer, manufacturer, or warranty provider. Consumer rights are separate. CCPC guidance says your rights to a repair or replacement apply regardless of any guarantee or warranty.
TBD helps with pre-court preparation: understanding the route, organising evidence, and writing a complaint letter under your own name. It does not provide legal advice or draft court filing text.
What to do next
- 1Start with the seller that sold you the goods, not only the manufacturer or warranty provider.
- 2Collect purchase proof, warranty terms, fault evidence, repair history, and messages.
- 3Ask for a practical remedy based on the fault, timing, age, price, and evidence.
What changes after the warranty expires
An expired warranty does not automatically end the conversation. CCPC says consumers may still be able to seek a remedy for faulty goods for up to six years from purchase where the goods might reasonably be expected to last that long with normal use.
That does not mean every old product fault leads to a refund. Age, use, wear and tear, misuse, repair history, and product expectations matter. The older the product, the more important the evidence becomes.
Complaint-letter angle
Open with the product, purchase date, seller, fault, and when it appeared. Explain what you have already tried and attach evidence. Avoid making the letter only about the warranty.
Ask the seller to assess the issue and offer an appropriate remedy: repair, replacement, refund, price reduction, or another practical solution depending on the facts.
Small-claims fit notes
A warranty-related dispute may fit small claims only if the actual dispute fits the official criteria: a consumer claim about goods or services, EUR2,000 or less, both sides based in Ireland, identifiable respondent, and no exclusion.
Small claims may be a poor fit where the issue is really with an insurer, extended-warranty company, finance provider, hire-purchase agreement, or manufacturer outside Ireland.
Before you write
- Receipt, order number, invoice, or card statement
- Product model, serial number, and purchase date
- Photos, video, error codes, or diagnostics
- Warranty or guarantee terms
- Repair history and retailer/manufacturer messages
- Evidence of normal use where relevant
Questions people ask
Is my complaint over if the warranty expired?
Not necessarily. CCPC guidance says consumer rights can exist separately from a guarantee or warranty. The facts still matter: age, use, price, fault type, and evidence.
Should I complain to the retailer or manufacturer?
If you bought from a retailer, start with the retailer. A manufacturer warranty may help, but it does not automatically replace the seller complaint route.