Can I return a faulty item after the shop warranty ended?
Yes — a faulty item can be repaired or returned for two years, even if the shop's "warranty" is shorter or has expired. The statutory quality guarantee lasts 2 years from receiving the item and is mandatory — it is not replaced or shortened by any shorter commercial (seller's) warranty. The big myth that "without a receipt, or once the one-year warranty ends, nothing can be done" is wrong. More importantly, if a defect appears in the first 12 months, it is presumed to have existed already at purchase — it is the seller, not the buyer, who must prove otherwise. This is a newer, buyer-friendly rule: before the 2022 reform this period was only 6 months. Under Article 6.364 of the Civil Code you can first demand a free repair or replacement, and if that fails or the defect is serious — a price reduction or termination of the contract with your money back.
📋 The rules
- The statutory quality guarantee is 2 years from receiving the item
- Defects in the first 12 months are presumed to have existed from the start
- It is the seller, not the buyer, who must prove the item was sound
- First — a free repair or replacement (CK 6.364)
- If that fails — a price reduction or refund
🔓 Exceptions
- A commercial (seller's) warranty is additional — it cannot reduce the 2-year statutory guarantee
- Normal wear and tear, or damage caused by misuse, does not count as a defect
- The buyer may choose repair or replacement, unless it is impossible or disproportionately costly for the seller
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Repairing or returning a faulty item is free for the buyer — the seller bears the cost. Under Article 6.364 of the Civil Code, repair, replacement and the related shipping of the item are done at no cost to the consumer. If the seller refuses to solve the problem, delays, or the defect recurs, the buyer gains the right to demand a proportionate price reduction or to terminate the contract and get their money back. The dispute can be taken free of charge to the State Consumer Rights Protection Authority (VVTAT), and businesses can face fines for breaching consumer rights. What often goes unnoticed: a claim about defects can be brought within the 2-year limitation period (CK 1.125), and the purchase is proved by any evidence — a bank statement, a receipt or even witnesses, not only a paper till slip. So the seller's claim that "without a receipt I cannot accept it" has no legal basis.
📎 Official sources
- VVTAT · product warranty and defective goods →
- e-seimas · Civil Code (Arts. 6.363–6.364, quality of goods) →
- e-seimas · Law on Consumer Protection →
❓ Frequently asked
How long does a product warranty last?
The statutory quality guarantee lasts 2 years from receiving the item and is mandatory. It is not shortened by any shorter commercial warranty from the seller, so even after the shop warranty ends, the right to a sound item remains for two years.
What should I do if the item breaks in the first year?
If a defect appears in the first 12 months, it is presumed to have existed already at purchase, and it is the seller who must prove otherwise. Before the 2022 reform this period was only 6 months, so the buyer's position is now stronger.
What rights do I have if I bought a faulty item?
You can first demand a free repair or replacement of the item. If that cannot be done, the seller delays, or the defect is serious, you can demand a proportionate price reduction or terminate the contract and get your money back.
Can I return an item without a receipt?
Yes, the purchase can be proved by any evidence — a bank statement, a payment receipt or even witness statements. The seller's demand for a paper till slip specifically has no legal basis, so they cannot refuse to deal with the problem just for that.
Where do I turn if the seller refuses a faulty item?
The dispute can be taken free of charge to the State Consumer Rights Protection Authority, which handles it out of court. A claim about defects can be brought within the 2-year limitation period from receiving the item.
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