UKI bought goods online and they're faulty. What are my rights?
You have the right to a repair, replacement, or refund for faulty goods bought online, usually within 30 days for a full refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
What the Law Says
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you clear, automatic rights when goods you buy — including online purchases — are faulty, not as described, or not fit for purpose.
Goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. If they’re not, you’re entitled to remedies — starting with the right to reject the goods and get a full refund within 30 days of purchase or delivery.
After 30 days, you can ask for a repair or replacement. If that fails, is impossible, or causes significant inconvenience, you can claim a price reduction or final right to reject (with a partial or full refund depending on use).
The law presumes any fault that appears within the first 6 months existed at the time of delivery — so the trader must prove otherwise. You can make a claim for up to 6 years from purchase (5 years in Scotland) — though practical remedies diminish over time.
Statutory TextIf the consumer requires the trader to repair or replace the goods, the trader must do so within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience to the consumer, and bear any necessary costs incurred in doing so.
— Consumer Rights Act 2015, s. 20 — Repair or replacement
What to Do
Contact the seller immediately — quote the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and state whether you want a refund, repair, or replacement.
If the item is faulty within 30 days, request a full refund — you don’t need to accept a voucher or exchange unless you choose to.
If beyond 30 days but within 6 months, ask for repair or replacement — the seller must act promptly and without major inconvenience.
Keep proof of purchase (e.g., order confirmation, email), photos of the fault, and records of all communication.
If the seller refuses your lawful request, report them to Citizens Advice or Trading Standards, or consider small claims court.
Sources
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
Germany
Australia
Ireland
Singapore
European Union
India
South Korea
US Federal
US-California
US-New York
JapanNot 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: 2026-06-08.