⚖ Consumer Rights Checker

Boiler Broke Down After a Year? UK Consumer Rights

A boiler is goods under the Consumer Rights Act like any other appliance — if it breaks down well within a reasonable expected lifespan (most boilers should last 10-15 years), you may have a claim against whoever supplied it, separate from any manufacturer's guarantee.

Frequently asked questions about boiler faults

My boiler keeps breaking down after a year, what are my rights?

Contact whoever supplied and fitted it. Repeated breakdowns within the first couple of years, especially of the same fault, is strong evidence of an inherent problem rather than normal wear, and supports a repair, replacement or refund claim.

Does the claim cover installation as well as the boiler itself?

If you bought supply-and-fit as one package, both the boiler and the installation work are covered — the boiler under the Consumer Rights Act's goods provisions, the fitting under its services provisions (reasonable care and skill).

Is my claim against the manufacturer or the installer?

Usually the installer/supplier you contracted with and paid, not the boiler manufacturer directly — though most boilers also carry a separate multi-year manufacturer's parts guarantee worth checking and using in parallel.

Does an annual service requirement affect my rights?

Many manufacturer guarantees require an annual service to stay valid — missing this can affect that guarantee, though your separate Consumer Rights Act claim against the installer for an inherent fault is a different, generally unaffected route.

The short version

Time since purchaseWhat you can ask for
0–30 daysFull refund
31 days–6 monthsFree repair or replacement, then refund
6 months–6 yearsSame, but you show the fault is inherent
General information based on the Consumer Rights Act 2015, not legal advice. See Citizens Advice: Return faulty goods or the Consumer Rights Act 2015 for the full legal text.