£750 Sony Bravia TV stopped working after just 1 year 5 months NOT REPAIRABLE!

fsodm

I purchased a Sony Bravia 55in 4k TV in Feb 2023, today it has stopped working and I have been advised due to 6 blinking red lights by an engineer that it is a backlight failure. Apparently these TVs can no longer be repaired as the screens are glued down and backlights are not made from my model anymore. Sony only have a 1 year warranty so I am out of warranty. What can I do, surely this isn't acceptable after paying so much money for something only to break (through no fault of my own) after such a short time. I was advised backlights are design to last at least 50,000 hours. At most, we use our TV for (2-3 hours per day) so it has only had light usage. I haev contacted Sony and they are going to get back to me via email, I purchased the TV through Currys. 

Ergates

The Warranty from Sony is subject to whatever restrictions Sony choose to place on it (as long as they are included in the warranty wording) - if they get back to you with some resolution, then this is above and beyond your consumer rights, and wouldn't interfere with them.

Your contract is with Currys, so this is where your consumer rights lie.  Electronic goods like these should be expected to last more than a year, so you do have a claim against Currys.  As you have had the goods more than 6 months, they can ask that you demonstrate (e.g. via a report from an independent party) that the fault was inherent rather than a result of something you've done.   It sounds like you may have that already?

As for what you can expect.  You've confirmed the TV can't be repaired.  Currys could offer to replace it with an equivalent model - if they have any in stock.  Or they could offer a refund - though this is likely to be reduced to reflect the 1 years use you've had.  I believe Currys generally work on a 6 year timescale for reducing refunds, so they could reduce it by 1/6th.

In terms of what to do next:  Wait to see what Sony say in case they make you an offer you are happy with (but understand that they're not obliged to offer you anything).   Then contact Currys customer services 

fsodm

Thats great thank you for that, i'll wait and see if Sony come back with anything and then try Currys 

Famau

fsodm said:

I purchased a Sony Bravia 55in 4k TV in Feb 2023, today it has stopped working and I have been advised due to 6 blinking red lights by an engineer that it is a backlight failure. Apparently these TVs can no longer be repaired as the screens are glued down and backlights are not made from my model anymore. Sony only have a 1 year warranty so I am out of warranty. What can I do, surely this isn't acceptable after paying so much money for something only to break (through no fault of my own) after such a short time. I was advised backlights are design to last at least 50,000 hours. At most, we use our TV for (2-3 hours per day) so it has only had light usage. I haev contacted Sony and they are going to get back to me via email, I purchased the TV through Currys. 

Are you sure it's just one year warranty?  I thought Sony were 5 years on their TVs - mine certainly is (though I had to register the purchase online with them to confirm that)...

fsodm

Yea unfortunately mine only 1 year after speaking with the agent, I must not have registered it online with them at the time of purchase to get 5 years or maybe it wasn't available on the model I purchased, not totally sure. Still awaiting a reply from Sony but will update with their response / if I need to contact Currys directly

Famau said:

fsodm said:

I purchased a Sony Bravia 55in 4k TV in Feb 2023, today it has stopped working and I have been advised due to 6 blinking red lights by an engineer that it is a backlight failure. Apparently these TVs can no longer be repaired as the screens are glued down and backlights are not made from my model anymore. Sony only have a 1 year warranty so I am out of warranty. What can I do, surely this isn't acceptable after paying so much money for something only to break (through no fault of my own) after such a short time. I was advised backlights are design to last at least 50,000 hours. At most, we use our TV for (2-3 hours per day) so it has only had light usage. I haev contacted Sony and they are going to get back to me via email, I purchased the TV through Currys. 

Are you sure it's just one year warranty?  I thought Sony were 5 years on their TVs - mine certainly is (though I had to register the purchase online with them to confirm that)...

zoob

Famau said:

fsodm said:

I purchased a Sony Bravia 55in 4k TV in Feb 2023, today it has stopped working and I have been advised due to 6 blinking red lights by an engineer that it is a backlight failure. Apparently these TVs can no longer be repaired as the screens are glued down and backlights are not made from my model anymore. Sony only have a 1 year warranty so I am out of warranty. What can I do, surely this isn't acceptable after paying so much money for something only to break (through no fault of my own) after such a short time. I was advised backlights are design to last at least 50,000 hours. At most, we use our TV for (2-3 hours per day) so it has only had light usage. I haev contacted Sony and they are going to get back to me via email, I purchased the TV through Currys. 

Are you sure it's just one year warranty?  I thought Sony were 5 years on their TVs - mine certainly is (though I had to register the purchase online with them to confirm that)...

Most independent tv dealers offer a 5 year guarantee with Sony tvs but you might pay £40-50 more than the big chains, we get people all the time saying i can get it cheaper in Currys etc but when we say ours has the 5 year guarantee they are happy to pay extra for peace of mind 

fsodm

fsodm said:

I purchased a Sony Bravia 55in 4k TV in Feb 2023, today it has stopped working and I have been advised due to 6 blinking red lights by an engineer that it is a backlight failure. Apparently these TVs can no longer be repaired as the screens are glued down and backlights are not made from my model anymore. Sony only have a 1 year warranty so I am out of warranty. What can I do, surely this isn't acceptable after paying so much money for something only to break (through no fault of my own) after such a short time. I was advised backlights are design to last at least 50,000 hours. At most, we use our TV for (2-3 hours per day) so it has only had light usage. I haev contacted Sony and they are going to get back to me via email, I purchased the TV through Currys. 

*UPDATE* Contacted currys and they said they needed a diagnostic report from a qualified TV engineer confirming the fault is non repairable and a manufacturer defect (not of my own doing). I got this report on Friday and sent it to their Out of warranty claim team oowclaims@currys.co.uk - still awaiting response or acknowledgement, but hoping they will get back to me today (Monday) or tomorrow with an update. 

fsodm

fsodm said:

fsodm said:

I purchased a Sony Bravia 55in 4k TV in Feb 2023, today it has stopped working and I have been advised due to 6 blinking red lights by an engineer that it is a backlight failure. Apparently these TVs can no longer be repaired as the screens are glued down and backlights are not made from my model anymore. Sony only have a 1 year warranty so I am out of warranty. What can I do, surely this isn't acceptable after paying so much money for something only to break (through no fault of my own) after such a short time. I was advised backlights are design to last at least 50,000 hours. At most, we use our TV for (2-3 hours per day) so it has only had light usage. I haev contacted Sony and they are going to get back to me via email, I purchased the TV through Currys. 

*UPDATE* Contacted currys and they said they needed a diagnostic report from a qualified TV engineer confirming the fault is non repairable and a manufacturer defect (not of my own doing). I got this report on Friday and sent it to their Out of warranty claim team oowclaims@currys.co.uk - still awaiting response or acknowledgement, but hoping they will get back to me today (Monday) or tomorrow with an update. 

It'll be a week tomorrow but despite multipe emails no response from Currys yet. 

fsodm

*UPDATE* Currys collecting TV in a couple of days to check if they can repair it, if they can they will do so for free and if not they will be back in touch with me to arrange a settlement. 

fsodm

RESOLVED - Currys have offered me  partial refund (store voucher) of approx £550 which I have accepted. Thank you for your help and advice with this. Will be purchasing a TV with 5 year warrantee on it 

Murphybear

I’m pleased to see this has been resolved.  Sony are usually reliable, maybe you got a rogue one.

We bought an LG tv nearly 20 years ago and it’s as good now as it was back then.  We’re thinking of replacing it as it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that modern TVs have and we’re thinking about mounting it on the wall. 

If you’re looking for a brand recommendation I’d definitely suggest LG.  They are always recommended by Which when they update their tv reports.