How much compensation for faulty goods?
There is no set compensation figure for faulty goods. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you remedies instead: a full refund if you reject within 30 days, then a repair or replacement, then a price reduction or refund if that fails. On top of that you can claim for other losses the fault caused, as long as you can prove them.
How much compensation can I get for faulty goods?
There is no fixed amount. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 you are entitled to a remedy: a full refund within 30 days, then a repair or replacement, then a price reduction or a refund if that fails. You can also claim damages for other losses the fault caused. What you get back depends on the price you paid, when the fault appeared and what it cost you.
Who has to prove the goods were faulty?
If the fault appears within 6 months of delivery, the law assumes the goods were faulty when you got them, unless the trader proves otherwise (s.19(14) and (15)). After 6 months, you may need to show the fault was there at delivery, for example with an independent report.
Can I claim for my time and stress?
The Act allows other remedies such as damages for losses caused by the breach. Claims for inconvenience or distress are harder to prove than out-of-pocket losses, so focus your claim on losses you can show with receipts, quotes or photos.
I paid by credit card. Does that help?
If a single item cost more than £100 and not more than £30,000 and you paid at least partly by credit card, section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 can make the card provider jointly liable with the trader. That is useful if the trader refuses or has stopped trading.
How long do I have to make a claim?
In England and Wales, a claim for breach of contract usually has to be started within 6 years of the breach (Limitation Act 1980, section 5). The short-term right to reject lasts only 30 days, so act quickly if you want a full refund.
Compensation for faulty goods
Small Claims · What you can get back
How much compensation for faulty goods?
What can you get back, and when?
These remedies apply when goods bought from a trader are not of satisfactory quality, not fit for purpose or not as described. Timings run from when you received the goods.
What does that look like in practice?
An illustration, not a prediction. The figures are made up to show how the rules work; your outcome depends on your facts and evidence.
What if the trader refuses?
Put your request in writing, say which remedy you want and why, and give a clear deadline. If that does not work, send a letter before action, then you can issue a claim in the county court. Claims up to £10,000 normally go on the small claims track.
If you win, you can usually recover the court fee, and you can ask for interest at 8% a year simple under section 69 of the County Courts Act 1984.
For services, such as repairs or installation, the Act gives similar rights: the trader must redo the work or, if that is impossible or not done in reasonable time, reduce the price (sections 55 and 56).
Questions people ask
Particulars of claim: faulty goods
Fees and timescales 2026