ffiish:
6th.replicant:
Hmm, don't happen to be a retailer do you?
No I'm not. I was trying to give some helpful general guidance, including a verifiable reference to a government source, about consumer rights, which had been misrepresented (viz. the length of time the goods have to last for). By way of comparison, no-one would be able to demand FOC repairs to an out-of-warranty car, except in very limited circumstances, even though the warranty lasts only 3 years, not 6. The key thing about "fit for purpose" is that it is a test applied at the time of purchase - hence you wouldn't have a successful complaint if a cucumber went mouldy a month after buying it, or a light bulb blew after a year.
This case is very bad luck, and I have every sympathy; I certainly wouldn't want my kit to break down when I was trying to do what would seem to be routine maintenance, and I would certainly be pursuing all reasonable options to get it sorted out.
Interesting & useful comments, ffiish.
As a case in point, my Pana plasma TV recently developed a fault - a thin, vertical green line down the centre of the screen - a mere 2.5 yrs after purchase.
I contacted tradingstandards.gov.uk/08454 04 05 06 & was advised that I'm covered by the '6 year rule', thus the retailer is liable for parts & labour because the TV's 'demise' within 2.5 yrs renders it "not fit for purpose".
Er, well I hope that's true..?!