Reasonable length of time?

deanh1

Just looking for some advice.

I bought a Vax carpet cleaner from Argos in march 2019.
It came with a 2 year guarantee.
A few days ago it started smoking and sounds like a car exhaust with a hole in!!
I found my receipt, went to Argos today who tell me they cover the first 12 months then Vax cover the second.
So I went online to Vax who tell me I should have registered the cleaner on purchase and because I didnt, I wasn't covered. Argos never told me this and even now on the item on their site it just says 2 year manufacturer's guarantee with no small print saying you have to register.

Can I use the consumer rights act as the item has not lasted the length of its guarantee and therefore a reasonable length of time?

I am now left with a cleaner that cost £180 and that is broken.

Thanks in advance

davidmcn

Your statutory rights have nothing to do with the manufacturer's guarantee, that's a red herring. Your right are against the retailer. Though after this length of time, the onus is on you to demonstrate that the problem is because of an inherent fault in the cleaner.

deanh1

I can't prove it was there when I purchased it's a fault that's developed. It shouldn't be burning and making the noise it's making when it's not far over 12 months old

Aylesbury_Duck

It depends how much stress you've put it through. As suggested, the only way you can exercise your consumer rights is if you get it inspected and that shows there's an inherent fault.  Then Argos would have to act.

Warranty is a separate matter and can come with whatever terms the manufacturer likes.  Registration being one of them.  I own two Vax products and the after-sales care has been excellent.  On my vacuum I had a new head and a new waste cylinder a few years into their 6 year warranty.  When you opened the product I suspect there was a warranty card to fill in and send back, or register online. Then you would have been covered. 

deanh1

Yep stupidly I didn't read any of it like a lot of people don't, hence why I'm stuck with it 😫

Spank

The warranty card/details would have been with the paperwork and has nothing to do with Argos. You didn't register it that's on you.

As the Duck says get a local vac cleaner to write you a report. It will cost, but if Argos will pay for this if the faults are inherent.
You may get a new machine, yours repaired or the cost of a machine that's the same age as yours.

bris

VAX have a big form in with the cleaner telling you to register for the 2 year guarantee.

shaun_from_Africa

deanh1 said:

I can't prove it was there when I purchased it's a fault that's developed.

You don't need to prove that the fault itself was present when you purchased the vacuum, simply that the fault is due to something that was present at that time.

This could be poor quality components or poor assembly which has resulted in wear or damage over time.
Have you followed the requirements for cleaning the appliance? as something jamming or rubbing on the brush roller could easily cause a burning smell and loud noise.

lincroft1710

Before you call anyone in, thoroughly check and clean out the machine, because if an engineer comes to look at it and finds the problem is due to lack of user maintenance, it will be a costly experience for you.