⚖ Consumer Rights Checker

Tumble Dryer Faulty After a Year? Your UK Rights

A tumble dryer that stops heating properly or takes dramatically longer to dry clothes than when new is one of the more common appliance fault claims — and it's covered well beyond the manufacturer's warranty.

Frequently asked questions about tumble dryer faults

My tumble dryer stopped heating after 18 months, what are my rights?

Report it to the retailer and ask for a repair or replacement. Past 6 months you'll need to show it's a fault (a failed heating element or thermostat, for example) rather than a lack of maintenance on your part.

Does not cleaning the lint filter regularly affect my claim?

It can, if the retailer can show poor maintenance directly caused or contributed to the fault. Following the manufacturer's cleaning instructions and having evidence you did protects your position.

Is a condenser dryer that's suddenly using far more electricity a valid fault?

Potentially, if it indicates the heating element or thermostat is malfunctioning rather than just normal efficiency loss over many years — a sudden, significant change is a stronger claim than very gradual efficiency decline.

Can I claim for damaged clothes if the dryer overheated?

Possibly, as a consequential loss on top of the appliance claim itself — keep the damaged items and photograph them, and raise it explicitly as part of your claim rather than assuming it's automatically included.

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.