Germany

What are my rights if I buy a defective product?

2 years

Legal warranty period

1 year

Presumption of pre-existing defect

30 days

Deadline for withdrawal after notice

100%

Refund possible if repair fails

The Short Answer

You have the right to demand repair or replacement, price reduction, contract cancellation, or compensation — depending on the defect's severity and the seller’s response.

What the Law Says

German law gives consumers strong, automatic rights when they buy a defective product — no separate 'warranty' is needed. These rights arise from the German Civil Code (BGB) and apply to all consumer purchases unless explicitly excluded in ways that are legally invalid.

A 'defect' (Sachmangel) exists under BGB § 434 if the product does not meet agreed-upon features (e.g., description, functionality, accessories), or fails to meet objective standards — such as suitability for normal use, safety, durability, or consistency with advertising, packaging, or samples.

Even delivering the wrong item (e.g., blue instead of red, model X instead of Y) counts as a defect — known as 'Aliud' — and triggers full warranty rights.

Once a defect is confirmed, your remedies are set out in BGB § 437. You may first ask the seller to fix the problem (Nacherfüllung), and if that fails or is unreasonable, you may reduce the price, cancel the contract, or claim damages.

Statutory Text
Die Sache ist frei von Sachmängeln, wenn sie bei Gefahrübergang den subjektiven Anforderungen, den objektiven Anforderungen und den Montageanforderungen dieser Vorschrift entspricht.
— BGB § 434 — German Civil Code

Statutory Text
Ist die Sache mangelhaft, kann der Käufer, wenn die Voraussetzungen der folgenden Vorschriften vorliegen und soweit nicht ein anderes bestimmt ist, nach § 439 Nacherfüllung verlangen, nach den §§ 440, 323 und 326 Abs. 5 von dem Vertrag zurücktreten oder nach § 441 den Kaufpreis mindern und nach den §§ 440, 280, 281, 283 und 311a Schadensersatz oder nach § 284 Ersatz vergeblicher Aufwendungen verlangen.
— BGB § 437 — German Civil Code

What Courts Have Said

German courts have clarified key practical issues — especially around proof, timing, and what counts as a defect — strengthening consumer rights in everyday disputes.

BGH VIII ZR 225/21

Bundesgerichtshof, 8. Zivilsenat · 2023

If a defect appears within one year of delivery, it is legally presumed to have existed at the time of sale — the seller must prove otherwise.

BGH VIII ZR 337/21

Bundesgerichtshof, 8. Zivilsenat · 2023

Delivering a different product than ordered (Aliud) is a material defect — the buyer can demand the correct item as supplementary performance.

What to Do

Contact the seller immediately in writing (email or letter) describing the defect and requesting repair or replacement.

If the seller refuses, fails to act within a reasonable time (usually 2–4 weeks), or the same defect recurs, request a price reduction or contract cancellation.

Keep all evidence: receipt, photos/videos of the defect, correspondence, and packaging.

If the seller still refuses, file a complaint with a consumer center (Verbraucherzentrale) or pursue small claims court (Mahnverfahren or Amtsgericht).

Sources

statuteBGB § 434 — Material defect (Sachmangel)statuteBGB § 437 — Buyer's rights in case of defects caseBGH VIII ZR 225/21 — Burden of proof for early defects caseBGH VIII ZR 337/21 — Aliud as material defect

Same Question, Other Jurisdictions

Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.