What does a manufacturer’s appliance warranty actually promise in South Africa?

A manufacturer’s warranty is a time-limited promise about the product’s performance that covers manufacturing defects in parts or assembly, and may include repair or replacement where repair isn’t feasible; it sits alongside, but is separate from, your statutory consumer rights. We recommend keeping proof of purchase and registering the product if registration is offered to speed up any claim.

How long do typical appliance warranties last and are some parts covered for longer?

Most household appliances in South Africa carry a 12-24 month manufacturer warranty, while some components (for example motors or compressors) can have longer, part-specific coverage. We advise checking the warranty document for any extended coverage on particular parts.

What common faults are usually covered and what is commonly excluded?

Warranties commonly cover manufacturing faults that cause failure, including the repair or replacement of faulty components and authorised labour where specified; exclusions typically include misuse, accidental damage, normal wear and tear, consumables (filters, bulbs, seals), cosmetic damage and faults from unauthorised repairs or non-genuine parts. If a fault clearly stems from a manufacturing defect (for example a motor failing early without rough use), the warranty should still apply.

Should I contact the seller or the manufacturer when something goes wrong?

If the appliance is faulty on delivery, contact the seller first as they have an initial obligation under South African consumer protection rules; for faults arising later you may be directed to the manufacturer’s authorised service network, so if in doubt start with the seller and they’ll point you to the right channel.

Will I ever be charged for a warranty repair and what can I expect about turnaround times?

Genuine warranty work for covered faults should not incur charges, but call-out fees, diagnostics or parts may be billed if the issue is excluded, so always request an itemised explanation before approving paid work. Turnaround times vary from days for simple repairs to weeks when parts are needed, and we recommend asking about temporary or loan solutions if time without the appliance is a concern.

What an appliance warranty covers in South Africa (clear, practical guide)

Understand what manufacturer warranties usually include and exclude in South Africa, how they sit alongside consumer rights, and simple steps to claim cover.

Published:July 10, 2026

Updated:September 9, 2026

5 min read

Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels

Covered vs excluded

Warranties cover manufacturing faults, not misuse or normal wear and tear.

Sources

South African Government - Consumer Protection Act overview
National Consumer Forum of South Africa
Consumer Goods and Services Ombud / Consumer advocacy resources
Bash - Appliances category (product listings and warranty details)

What a warranty actually is

A warranty is the manufacturer’s promise about product performance for a limited time. It sits alongside your consumer rights under South African law but is not the same as a paid service plan. Warranties commonly cover manufacturing faults that appear during the warranty period, not damage from misuse, normal wear and tear, or unauthorised repairs.

Typical duration and types

Most household appliances in South Africa come with a 12- to 24-month manufacturer warranty. Some parts - for example, motors or compressors - can have longer specified coverage. There are two common formats:

Return-to-base or in-store warranty (you bring the appliance back).
On-site warranty (technician visit for larger appliances like fridges or ovens).

What is usually covered

A standard warranty commonly includes:

Manufacturing defects in parts or assembly that cause the appliance to fail.
Repair or replacement of faulty components, and sometimes the whole appliance if repair isn’t feasible.
Labour for authorised repairs within the warranty period (where specified).

When you buy we recommend keeping the proof of purchase and registering the product if the manufacturer offers registration - it makes a claim faster. For a practical walkthrough of the claims process, see How to claim an appliance warranty in South Africa - step-by-step.

What warranties usually do not cover

Common exclusions include:

Damage from misuse, accidental damage, or incorrect installation.
Consumables and items that wear out with normal use (filters, bulbs, seals, certain baskets).
Problems caused by unauthorised repairs or non-genuine spare parts.
Cosmetic damage that doesn’t affect function.

Note: “Wear and tear” is frequently cited in exclusions. If a fault is clearly a manufacturing defect (for example, a motor that fails within months without rough use), the warranty should still apply.

Quick tip: Photograph the fault, keep the receipt, and note the appliance serial number. These small actions make claims far smoother.

How warranties interact with your consumer rights

South African consumer protections (for example, remedies for faulty goods) operate alongside warranties. If an appliance is defective at the point of sale, the seller usually has an obligation to repair, replace or refund under the Consumer Protection Act - even if the manufacturer’s warranty period hasn’t started to run. Warranties are an added promise, not the sole protection.

When to contact the seller vs the manufacturer

If a product is clearly faulty on delivery, contact the seller first. For faults that arise later in the warranty period you may be asked to use the manufacturer’s authorised service network. If in doubt, start with the seller - they can point to the correct channel.

What to expect in a warranty repair

Authorised service centres will diagnose the fault; typical outcomes are a free repair, part replacement, a replacement appliance, or a refund if repair is impossible. Turnaround times vary - simple repairs may be done in days, while parts-heavy fixes can take weeks. If time without the appliance is a concern, ask about loan/temporary solutions before approving a repair.

Estimated costs and hidden fees

Genuine warranty work should have no charge for covered faults. However, call-out fees, diagnostics, or parts charges may be billed if the issue is excluded. Always request an itemised explanation before authorising paid work.

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Practical examples that happen in real homes

Example 1: A washing machine drum fails within six months with no signs of misuse - this is commonly treated as a manufacturing fault and covered. Example 2: A kettle that cracks after being dropped - that’s accidental damage and usually excluded. Example 3: A fridge compressor that fails after three years - coverage depends on whether the compressor has a longer part-specific warranty or if the failure is argued under consumer protection.

Deciding whether an extended service plan makes sense

Service plans can top up cover (for example, for accidental damage or extended labour cover) but they cost extra. Compare what’s in a plan against the manufacturer warranty and the likely repair costs for the appliance type. For a structured comparison of when a plan is worth it, see Comparing appliance service plans in South Africa: what to choose and why.

Estimated cost context (South Africa)

Repair costs vary widely by appliance and part. As a rough reference: a local technician call-out and minor part might cost around R350-R900; larger parts or compressor replacements can run into several thousand rands. These are estimates - exact prices depend on brand, model and region. When buying, weigh the appliance price against likely repair costs and availability of authorised service.

Stop using the appliance if it’s unsafe and photograph the fault.
Locate proof of purchase and the serial number; register the product if offered.
Contact the seller first for recent deliveries; for later faults contact the manufacturer’s support line or authorised service centre.
Ask whether the repair is covered, whether labour and parts are included, and for an estimated turnaround time.
Get any refusal in writing and keep all correspondence - it helps if you need to escalate.

Where to find replacements and authorised spares

When it’s time to replace, we make it simple to compare appliances and check warranty details on our Appliances category. Explore Appliances for brand listings, specifications and seller details.

Final practical notes

When evaluating warranty terms, read the small print for exclusions and required actions (e.g., annual maintenance or registration). Keep records - a short service history and the receipt save time. We aim to make shopping and aftercare straightforward, so when you compare models on Bash you can see warranty highlights and authorised-service information in product listings.

Last updated: September 9, 2026

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What an appliance warranty covers in South Africa (clear, practical guide)

Covered vs excluded

Sources

Why Choose Bash?

Free Delivery

30-Day Returns

Nationwide Support

Why Choose Bash?

Free Delivery

30-Day Returns

Nationwide Support

Keep proof & photos

Use seller first

What a warranty actually is

Typical duration and types

What is usually covered

What warranties usually do not cover

How warranties interact with your consumer rights

When to contact the seller vs the manufacturer

What to expect in a warranty repair

Estimated costs and hidden fees

Practical examples that happen in real homes

Deciding whether an extended service plan makes sense

Estimated cost context (South Africa)

How we recommend acting when a problem appears

Where to find replacements and authorised spares

Final practical notes

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