Can a seller deduct for use of faulty goods?
For a consumer purchase, a UK seller may deduct for use on final rejection, generally after the first 6 months; motor vehicles are an exception. Business purchases follow different rules. Request the timing basis and a calculation tied to actual use. Factory and inspection records can be requested through Cambridge China Bridge.
Check whether this was a consumer purchase
These deduction rules concern consumer purchases: an individual buying wholly or mainly outside their trade, business, craft or profession. Buying stock or equipment for your business does not become a consumer purchase because the seller is in the UK or the goods were made in China.
For business orders, start with the contract and our guide to faulty goods and business rejection. If you sell imported goods to consumers, distinguish your customer's consumer claim from your separate claim against your supplier.
Establish the final right to reject
Final rejection is available where goods remain non-conforming after one repair or replacement, neither repair nor replacement can be required, or a requested remedy has not been provided within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience. Read refunds after a failed repair for the wider remedy question.
Tell the seller clearly that you are rejecting faulty goods and treating the contract as ended. Keep proof of that communication. Describe the fault and remedy history, rather than selecting a change-of-mind reason on a returns form. Our online cancellation deduction guide addresses that separate situation. For telephone complaints, see our guide to seller helpline call charges.
Check the timing and exceptions
Normally, no use deduction is permitted when final rejection is exercised in the first 6 months. That period starts on the day after ownership, or relevant possession, has transferred, delivery has occurred and any contractually required installation or enabling action has been notified as complete. Record the rejection date, not just the fault-report or refund date.
Motor vehicles are an exception: a use deduction may apply within that period. However, the exception excludes vehicles constructed or adapted for a person with a physical defect or disability so that only one such person can use them at a time. If the seller claims another goods-category exception, request the statutory instrument specifying it.
Request a calculation for the use you actually had
Where permitted, the deduction takes account of use since delivery. Ask for the refund before deduction, the proposed deduction, the net refund and the calculation. Request the usage records, assumptions about usable life and explanation of how faults or downtime were treated. Challenge a resale valuation or standard charge that does not explain the use you had.
No use deduction may cover a period when you held the goods only because the seller missed an agreed collection time. Keep the collection agreement, missed appointments and evidence that the goods were available. Separately, the seller must not impose a fee for the refund.
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Send a focused evidence request
Ask the seller to identify the rejection route, the date used to start the protected period, any exception relied on and the deduction calculation. Attach delivery and installation records, repair correspondence, dated fault evidence and relevant usage logs. Ask it to distinguish a deduction for use from any allegation that you damaged the goods.
If the response remains disputed, use our UK seller complaint and escalation guide. Cambridge China Bridge's staff in China can help obtain factory and inspection records. Those records support the factual discussion; ask your adviser to assess a disputed entitlement or deduction. For court costs, see our guide to help with court fees.
Frequently asked questions
Can a seller deduct for use before 6 months?
Normally not when a consumer exercises final rejection within the protected period. Motor vehicles are an exception, with a carve-out for certain disability vehicles. Ask the seller to identify any exception relied on.
Do these rules apply to goods bought for my business?
These are consumer rules. For business stock or equipment, check the contract and business rejection rules. Keep your supplier claim separate from any consumer claim made by your customer.
How much can a seller deduct for use?
Request a calculation tied to the use you had since delivery, with usage records and assumptions. Ask how faults and downtime were treated, rather than accepting an unexplained standard charge.
Can the seller deduct while delaying collection?
No deduction may cover a period when you held the goods only because the seller missed an agreed collection time. Keep the collection agreement and proof that the goods were available.