General consumer rights when buying a washing machine are covered throughout the consumer advice section. There are many links to external web sites and downloadable consumer booklets from respected sources run by the Government and consumer groups.

The questions on this page relate specifically to any extra rights when a washing machine is bought online, second hand or privately.

Buying and repairing washing machines - your rights (5)

• If I buy a washing machine online, what are my rights?
• I bought a second hand washing machine from a trader, what are my rights?
• I bought a washing machine second hand privately, what are my rights?
• I want to claim compensation from the repair company or the washing machine seller
• I've read all the consumer advice about washing machines, I'm thinking of taking them to court
• The company I bought my washing machine from has gone out of business, what are my rights?

• More consumer advice - washing machine repairs (part 1)
  1. I don't want my washing machine repaired - I want it exchanged

• More consumer advice - washing machine repairs (part 2)
  1. My repair company say I must wait in all day for their engineer, can they do this ?
  2. My washing machine is under guarantee, but my repair company say they will charge me if their engineer can't find any fault. Can they do that?

• More consumer advice - washing machine repairs (part 3)
  1. My repair company only gives a 3 month guarantee on repairs. Is this reasonable / Challengeable?
  2. If I take time off work and an engineer doesn't turn up, can I claim compensation?
  3. My (under guarantee) washing machine repair company can't send an engineer until next Wednesday and it's Thursday - can they do this?
  4. The repair company say the washing machine fault is not covered under the guarantee and I have to pay

• More consumer advice - washing machine repairs (part 4)
  1. My washing machine is now out of guarantee, but I don't think I should have to pay for a repair

 

If I buy a washing machine online, what are my rights?

Buying online (or through mail order) has extra consumer protections. One of which is the right to cancel within 7 days of receiving the goods. This presumably assumes you haven't used them though. Not being able to see the goods properly (other than a picture and a description on a web site or catalogue) can lead to disappointing results when you actually get the product, so this is a good safeguard.

[ Related links: Free downloadable booklet from The Office of Fair Trading website. Shopping from home? Know your rights - Free downloadable booklets from Citizens Advice Bureau Advice guide - home shopping | Buying over the Internet | Buying on internet auction sites]

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I bought a second hand washing machine from a trader, what are my rights?

If you buy a second hand washing machine from a trader, then you should have the same rights as when buying a new washing machine. However, you have to take into account the price paid for the washing machine and reduce your expectations accordingly. If the washing machine is faulty though, the trader needs to put it right.

[ Related link: Citizens Advice (pdf) file Buying goods - your rights ]

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I bought a second hand washing machine privately, what are my rights?

Buying a second hand washing machine from a non trader carries a risk. There is relatively little consumer protection. The washing machine must match their description of it though. So if they said it had a 1400 spin or a 6Kg drum but it turned out to have only a 1200 spin or a 5Kg drum they have misled you and you should have the right to reject it or claim compensation. Also it must be in "good working order", but it does not have to be totally fault free. Watch out for traders posing as private sellers which is illegal, tell tale tips to find them and full description of buyers rights in the related link.

Don't immediately assume you've been done if a washing machine fails to work properly when you get it home. It's possible for a fault to be introduced through transit, or problems caused by the installation at your home. Before demanding your money back, some things to check are, Is the washing machine really faulty? | Is it possible to introduce new faults while repairing or installing a washing machine? |

[ Related link: Private sales - your rights (Citizens Advice Bureau (pdf) downloadable booklet) ]

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I want to claim compensation from the repair company or the washing machine seller

You might be able to claim compensation if repair work wasn't carried out with "reasonable" care and skill, or if it isn't completed within a "reasonable time". Also, if you've suffered any injury as the result of the work carried out which is unsafe. You should always take legal advice before accepting compensation for personal injury or you have accepted a repair which turns out to be unsatisfactory, or you have incurred additional expenses because of the trader's negligence or breach of contract, for example a carpet is ruined because of unsatisfactory repairs to a washing machine. (Full details in Citizens Advice link)

If you want to claim compensation from the washing machine seller, the procedure and advice is the same.

• Citizens Advice - services - (pdf) booklet
• Writing a Letter of Complaint - (England, Wales & Northern Ireland) Trading Standards site
• Writing a Letter of Complaint - (Scotland) Trading Standards site
• Getting Evidence to Prove Your Claim - Dispute with trader, Getting Evidence to Prove Your Claim (Trading Standards advice leaflet)
• Goods - how to solve your problems - Trading Standards site

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I've read all the consumer advice about washing machines, I'm thinking of taking them to court

If you have reached this stage, there is plenty of help from consumer groups. Here's what I've found -

• Thinking of Suing in a County Court? - Trading Standards site (England, Wales & Northern Ireland)
• Thinking of Suing in a Sheriff Court? - Trading Standards site (Scotland)
• Getting Evidence to Prove Your Claim - Dispute with trader, Getting Evidence to Prove Your Claim (Trading Standards advice leaflet)
• Starting court action - Citizens Advice bureau (pdf) downloadable booklet
• Going to court Citizens Advice bureau (pdf) downloadable booklet
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Citizens Advice bureau (pdf) downloadable booklet
• Money Claim Online is a "simple, convenient and secure way of making a claim on the internet." (Government site)

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The company I bought my washing machine from has gone out of business, what are my rights?

This is a complicated issue, with various permutations. It's covered well in the free booklet from the Citizens Advice Bureau. Supplier has gone out of business (Citizens Advice Bureau (pdf) downloadable booklet )

All information is meant to be fair and balanced. All advice is given in good faith and without liability, and is meant as a general guideline only. With consumer issues, always double check advice using the free Government & consumer group's literature as well.