If something goes wrong with goods, services, or digital content, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you structured legal remedies.
This hub brings together all the main remedies available under the Act and helps you identify which one applies to your situation.
For a general overview of how the law protects you, see How It Protects You (Goods, Services and Digital Content).
Remedies for Faulty Goods
If physical goods are not of satisfactory quality, not fit for purpose, or not as described, you have a staged set of remedies.
1. Short-Term Right to Reject
You usually have 30 days from delivery to reject faulty goods and claim a full refund.
Read: Short-Term Right to Reject
2. Repair or Replacement
After 30 days, the trader normally has one opportunity to repair or replace the goods at no cost to you.
3. Final Right to Reject or Price Reduction
If repair or replacement fails, you can reject the goods for a refund or keep them for a reduced price.
Read: Final Right to Reject or Price Reduction
4. Partial Rejection
If only part of your purchase is faulty, you may be able to reject just that part.
5. 6-Month Presumption Rule
If a fault appears within 6 months, the law presumes it was present at delivery unless the trader proves otherwise.
Read: Time Limits and the 6-Month Rule
Remedies for Services
If a service is not carried out with reasonable care and skill, you are entitled to:
1. Repeat Performance
The trader must redo the work properly, at no extra cost.
2. Price Reduction
If the work cannot be fixed, or fixing it would cause significant inconvenience, you can demand a price reduction.
Remedies for Digital Content
If digital content is faulty, not fit for purpose, or not as described, your remedies are slightly different from goods.
1. Repair or Replacement
The trader must fix the issue or provide a working version within a reasonable time.
2. Price Reduction or Refund
If repair or replacement is impossible or fails, you are entitled to a partial or full refund.
3. Compensation for Device Damage
If defective digital content damages your device, the trader must repair the damage or pay compensation.
Read: Digital Content – Your Rights
Protection from Unfair Terms
If a contract attempts to remove or limit your legal remedies, that term may not be binding.
Examples include “no refunds” clauses or unfair cancellation penalties.
Read: Unfair Terms – What the Law Says
Enforcing Your Remedies
If a trader refuses to comply with your legal remedies, you can escalate the issue.
- Raise a formal complaint.
- Use Alternative Dispute Resolution.
- Contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service.
- Use Section 75 (credit card protection).
- Use Chargeback.
- Send a Letter Before Action.
- Issue a Small Claims Court claim
See also Quick Guide: What To Do If Something Goes Wrong.
In Simple Terms
If something goes wrong, the law gives you structured remedies:
- Refund.
- Repair.
- Replacement.
- Repeat performance.
- Price reduction.
- Compensation (in some cases)
This hub connects you to the detailed guidance for each remedy so you can take the correct next step.
Additional Reading
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