Are Morphy Richards breaking the right to repair law?

Retro_UK

 I have a hot water dispenser made by Morphy Richards which has developed a leak. It's around 6 years old now, but is actually still a current model sold by Morphy Richards. 

I contacted them asking about a service centre or spares availability as this is still a current item, but they told me they have no intention of selling spares or offering repairs. That seems like they are breaking the rules to me? This item usually sells for around £150 and so the thought that they expect you to just throw it away once out of guarantee seems ludicrous to me. Is there anything I can do? I'm convinced after watching a couple of YouTube videos that this could be a very easy fix indeed with the right little bits needed.

 Cheers!

user1977

Which "rules" are you talking about? There's no general requirement for manufacturers to repair or sell spares.

elsien

The right to repair only applies to certain items, and manufacturers were given a 2 year grace period to make spares available. Either of those could be their get out. 

ETA - the regulations only apply to products night since July 2021 so don’t cover you anyway. 

It’s probably in here somewhere. 

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9302/CBP-9302.pdf

Manxman_in_exile

If it was over 6 years ago when you bought it, then you will almost 100% certainly have no legally enforceable rights at all.

If it's between 5 and 6 years ago then you would need to demonstrate somehow that the heater had some kind of latent defect when you bought it.  Even if you can do that, you would have no right to demand a repair, and any refund you would get after 5 to 6 years of use would probaly be around £20 - if that.

user1977

Manxman_in_exile said:

If it's between 5 and 6 years ago then you would need to demonstrate somehow that the heater had some kind of latent defect when you bought it.  Even if you can do that, you would have no right to demand a repair, and any refund you would get after 5 to 6 years of use would probaly be around £20 - if that.

...and those rights would be only against whoever the retailer was, not the manufacturer.

sheramber

Retro_UK said:

 I have a hot water dispenser made by Morphy Richards which has developed a leak. It's around 6 years old now, but is actually still a current model sold by Morphy Richards. 

I contacted them asking about a service centre or spares availability as this is still a current item, but they told me they have no intention of selling spares or offering repairs. That seems like they are breaking the rules to me? This item usually sells for around £150 and so the thought that they expect you to just throw it away once out of guarantee seems ludicrous to me. Is there anything I can do? I'm convinced after watching a couple of YouTube videos that this could be a very easy fix indeed with the right little bits needed.

 Cheers!

You may fond spares available online from one of the spares companies

Retro_UK

 Ok, so the right to repair law only applies to certain items. That is a shame. But to be clear, despite this one I own being 6 years old, it is still an item they currently sell. They haven't changed the design at all. So I figured they would have to have kept spares for those who buy one today/tomorrow etc. It seems in this case even with an expensive item, they would throw your old one away and send a new one. Totally wasteful! (someone confirmed this online on a forum I have just checked. They were simply sent a new one and had to send the old one back. In cases where it is out of warranty they simply offer you a small discount if you want to buy another one. Not very green at all from Morphy Richards. 

 I wasn't hoping for a free repair etc, just the hope that they could either point me to a service centre, or allow me to buy spare parts. 

 In response to @sheramber sadly every single place I have looked for spares carries no spares for this item at all. 

Flight3287462

What's causing the leak?  A washer?  If so could you not source a suitable alternative?

powerful_Rogue

Even if this was covered by the Right to Repair - You wouldn't simply be able to purchase the part you need. Manufacturers only need to supply parts to professional repairers.

MattMattMattUK

The chances are if there is a reasonable chance that the item can be repaired you will be able to buy the part online anyway, just not direct from the original manufacturer.