If only some of the goods you bought are faulty, you do not always have to reject everything.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you may be entitled to reject only the goods that do not conform to the contract.

For the legal standards goods must meet, see What Statutory Rights Apply to Goods?.

What Is Partial Rejection?

Partial rejection means:

  • You reject the faulty goods, and
  • You keep the goods that meet the contract.

You cannot reject goods that are not faulty.

When Does Partial Rejection Apply?

This usually applies where:

  • You bought multiple items in one order.
  • Only some of the items are faulty.
  • The goods are capable of being separated.

If the goods form a “commercial unit” (for example, a matching set where separating items would reduce their value), you may have to reject the whole unit rather than part of it.

Instalment Deliveries

If goods are delivered in instalments and one instalment is faulty, you may be able to reject that instalment only.

Whether you can reject the entire contract depends on:

  • The seriousness of the fault.
  • The terms of the contract.
  • The overall circumstances.

How to Partially Reject Goods

You must clearly inform the trader which goods you are rejecting.

This can be done by what you say or do, but written confirmation is recommended.

You can state:

  • “These specific goods do not conform to the contract.”
  • “I am rejecting these items under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.”

Refunds for Partial Rejection

You are entitled to a refund for the goods you reject.

The trader must:

  • Refund the relevant amount.
  • Do so within 14 days of agreeing you are entitled to a refund.
  • Use the original payment method unless agreed otherwise.
  • Cover reasonable return costs.

Time Limits

If you are within the first 30 days, you may use the Short-Term Right to Reject for the faulty goods.

If more than 30 days have passed, you may first need to allow a Repair or Replacement before moving to the Final Right to Reject or Price Reduction.

For how the six-month presumption works, see Time Limits and the 6-Month Rule.

If the Trader Refuses

If the trader refuses to accept partial rejection, you can:

Key Point

If only part of your order is faulty, you may not have to reject everything. The law allows you to reject the defective goods while keeping the rest, provided the goods can reasonably be separated.