1-year aftermarket warranty for Car Spoiler: our commitments

Aftermarket auto part warranty: your rights, what is covered, how to claim

Guide updated in 2026 — by the Becquet Voiture team

Warranty is the subject around which the most misconceptions circulate in the world of auto parts. You hear that an aftermarket part would be "not warranted", that installing it yourself would "void the warranty", or that a one-year commercial warranty would limit recourse to twelve months. None of these statements are accurate under French law. This guide summarizes precisely: which warranties apply, what they actually cover, how they work together, what remains your responsibility, and how to make an effective claim. The specific commercial terms of each shop are always found in its general terms and conditions of sale; this guide deals with the legal framework, which applies to all professional sellers.

Buy aftermarket with complete confidence

Are you hesitating to buy an aftermarket part for your car for fear of its quality? Here is our commitment: 1-year warranty + 30-day money-back guarantee.

Our warranty in detail

1. 1-year manufacturer warranty

All our products are warranted for 12 months from the date of purchase. This commercial warranty is a voluntary commitment that adds to your legal warranties and never replaces them: the 2-year legal warranty of conformity (Articles L.217-3 et seq. of the Consumer Code) and the warranty against hidden defects (Articles 1641 et seq. of the Civil Code) remain in effect. The following are covered:

• ✅ Manufacturing defects
• ✅ Material defects
• ✅ Premature peeling of the 3M tape
• ✅ Fitment defects (poor OEM alignment)
• ✅ Electrical failures (Start/Stop modules, LED stars)

NOT covered

• ❌ Incorrect installation by the customer
• ❌ Accidental damage (scratches, impacts)
• ❌ Unauthorized modifications to the part
• ❌ Normal wear and tear (it is never covered; the 2-year legal warranty of conformity, however, continues to run after these 12 months)

2. 30-day money-back return

Change your mind? 30 days from delivery to return the product to us, provided it is:

• ✅ Uninstalled
• ✅ In its original packaging
• ✅ With the invoice

Once the return is received and checked (within 3 to 5 business days), the full refund is issued within 14 days maximum, usually within 3 to 7 days, to the original payment method. It includes the price of the item and the standard shipping costs initially paid.

3. French technical support

Our French-speaking customer service answers:

• ✅ By email at info@becquet-voiture.com
• ✅ Within 24 business hours maximum
• ✅ Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Paris time)
• ✅ Return or after-sales service approval communicated within 24 business hours

4. Delivery tracking

Each order is:

• ✅ Trackable in real time
• ✅ Prepared within 1 to 2 business days then delivered within 2 to 5 business days in metropolitan France
• ✅ Shipped by La Poste, loss, breakage and theft insurance included, costs calculated at checkout according to the current rate sheet on August 12, 2026: €0 under €15 order, €9.95 from €15 to €499.99, €29.95 from €500
• ✅ Packaged to withstand delivery

5. Community & reviews

A catalog of nearly 50,000 active references, detailed product sheets with reviews left by buyers, and an order history that we do not inflate: we prefer a promise kept to a round number.

Our quality commitment

At Becquet Voiture, we ONLY select products:

• ✅ Described with their vehicle compatibilities on the product sheet: model, chassis code, years. Doubt about a reference? Write to us before ordering, we will check it.
• ✅ Sold and warranted by Emir Corporation (RCS Toulouse 988 555 637), your sole point of contact: you never have to write to the manufacturer yourself.
• ✅ Subject to French legal warranties — 2-year conformity, 2-year hidden defects — regardless of the origin of the part.
• ✅ For parts subject to approval (lighting, glazing, signaling), the regulatory marking is indicated on the sheet when it exists; if it is not there, ask us before purchase rather than assuming it.

Claims: simple process

A problem? Follow these 3 steps:

1. Contact our support with photos of the defect
2. Our team validates the after-sales service within 24 business hours
3. We send a replacement part OR refund

Buy with confidence

Explore our full catalog.

The three warranties that coexist

This is the essential starting point. In France, a purchase from a professional seller opens three distinct protections, which accumulate and never cancel each other out.

1. The legal warranty of conformity

Provided by the Consumer Code (Articles L217-3 et seq.), it obliges the professional seller to deliver a good conforming to the contract. It is free, automatic and non-negotiable. Its duration is two years from the delivery of the new good. It only applies to relationships between a professional and a consumer.

2. The warranty against hidden defects

Provided by the Civil Code (Articles 1641 et seq.), it is older and broader in its scope: it applies even between private individuals and between professionals. It covers hidden defects that make the thing unfit for its use or so greatly diminish its use that the buyer would not have acquired it, or would have paid less for it. The action must be brought within two years from the discovery of the defect.

3. The commercial warranty

It is a voluntary commitment by the seller or the manufacturer, whose duration, scope and terms they freely set. It can be shorter or longer than the legal warranties, broader or more restricted on certain points. What it can never do is reduce or replace the legal warranties. A commercial warranty contract must also explicitly recall the existence of the legal warranties.

Most important practical consequence: if a seller announces a one-year commercial warranty, you still retain two years of legal warranty of conformity and the warranty against hidden defects. No contractual mention can prevent this vis-à-vis a consumer.

The legal warranty of conformity in detail

What a lack of conformity is. The good must correspond to the description given, possess the announced qualities, be fit for the use usually expected of a similar good, and be delivered with the planned accessories and instructions. Applied to an auto part, this means concretely: a part announced as compatible with a given generation must fit on that generation; a part announced as carbon must be carbon; a part announced as delivered with a manual and adhesive must be.

The presumption of pre-existence. This is the most powerful provision for the buyer. For a new good, any lack of conformity appearing within a period of twenty-four months from delivery is presumed to have existed at the time of delivery. In other words, you have nothing to prove: it is up to the seller to provide proof to the contrary if they contest it.

The recourse you have. You can first demand the repair or replacement of the good, at your choice, unless the chosen option causes the seller a manifestly disproportionate cost. If the seller refuses, does not comply within a reasonable period, or if the solution causes you a major inconvenience, you can obtain a price reduction or the resolution of the contract with a refund.

Total free of charge. The bringing into conformity is carried out without any cost to you: no shipping costs, no labor costs, no file fees.

The extension after repair. When a good is repaired under the legal warranty, it is extended by a period corresponding to the immobilization, and a replacement starts a new warranty period on the replaced good. These are rights often ignored.

What the legal warranty does not cover. It does not cover normal wear and tear related to prolonged use, nor accidental damage after delivery, nor the consequences of abnormal use, nor a simple change of mind — which falls under the right of withdrawal, a distinct mechanism.

The warranty against hidden defects

Less known but sometimes more useful, especially when the legal warranty of conformity has expired or is inapplicable.

Its four conditions. The defect must be hidden, that is, not detectable by a normally attentive buyer at the time of purchase. It must be prior to the sale, even if it only revealed itself later. It must be sufficiently serious to make the good unfit for its use or greatly diminish its utility. And the action must be brought within two years of the discovery of the defect.

The burden of proof. Contrary to the warranty of conformity, it is here up to the buyer to demonstrate the existence of the defect and its pre-existence. A technical expertise is sometimes necessary. This is why the warranty of conformity must always be invoked as a priority when it is still open.

The recourse. You can ask for the cancellation of the sale with the restitution of the price, or keep the good by obtaining a price reduction. If the seller knew of the defect, damages may be added.

Its specific interest in an auto part. It is particularly relevant for defects that only reveal themselves after several seasons: delamination of a composite, abnormal yellowing despite an announced anti-UV varnish, cracking in the absence of any impact. These defects often betray a pre-existing manufacturing problem.

It also applies between private individuals. If you buy a used part from a private individual, the legal warranty of conformity does not apply, but the warranty against hidden defects remains open — except for an exclusion clause, common between private individuals and valid if the seller was in good faith.

What is covered — and what is not

Here is how the most common situations on a bodywork or interior part are handled, case by case.

Generally covered

• A part that does not fit when the stated compatibility matches your vehicle. This is a characterized non-conformity defect.
• A material different from the one advertised — a carbon-look finish delivered when genuine carbon was sold.
• A crack or deformation without impact, revealing a material or molding defect.
• Varnish that dulls or yellows abnormally quickly when UV protection was advertised.
• Supplied adhesive that does not hold despite installation in accordance with the instructions.
• An incomplete part delivered: missing hardware, instructions, or advertised accessory.
• An aesthetic defect visible upon delivery: varnish run, bubble, or mold mark visible on a visible face.

Generally not covered

• Damage caused during installation: misplaced drilling, over-tightening, forced part, scratch during assembly.
• Impacts and collisions after installation, including gravel and rubbing.
• Normal wear and tear after several years of exposure.
• The consequences of improper maintenance: cleaning with solvents, high pressure at close range on a glued part, abrasive products.
• Modifications to the part: cutting, repainting, drilling, addition of elements.
• Installation not in accordance with the instructions, notably gluing on a surface that has not been degreased or at too low a temperature.
• A simple change of mind, which falls under the fourteen-day right of withdrawal and not the warranty.

Be aware of an important nuance: a contractual clause cannot decide on its own that a case "is not covered" if it constitutes a non-conformity defect under the law. The exclusion lists in a commercial warranty apply to that commercial warranty, not to legal warranties.

Installation by yourself: what impact?

This is the most frequent question, and the most misunderstood.

The principle. Installing a part yourself does not remove the legal warranty on that part. No provision makes the warranty of conformity dependent on professional installation, unless the seller clearly stated before purchase that the product requires installation by a professional — information that must then appear in the essential characteristics.

The limit. However, damage caused by your installation is not a non-conformity defect. If the part was sound upon delivery and cracked because it was forced, the warranty does not apply. It is a question of causality, not principle.

How to protect yourself concretely.

• Photograph the part upon receipt, from all angles, before any handling. This is your best evidence.
• Present the part dry on the vehicle before any gluing or drilling. A fit defect must be identified before final installation.
• Follow the instructions to the letter, especially the temperature, degreasing, and adhesive curing time guidelines.
• Never modify the part to make it fit. A modified part is no longer returnable.
• Document the installation: a few photos of the steps are enough to demonstrate a compliant installation.
• Keep the instructions, packaging, and invoice until the end of the warranty period.

The case of professional installation. If a professional installs the part and a problem arises, the question becomes: does the defect come from the part or the service? The professional who performed the installation assumes their own liability for their work. Keep the detailed invoice of the intervention, which generally distinguishes the part and labor.

The complaint procedure, step by step

Step 1 — observe precisely. Describe the defect in factual terms: "4 cm crack on the upper left face, appeared without impact, after three months" is much more effective than "the part is of poor quality". Note the date it appeared.

Step 2 — compile your file. Invoice, order confirmation, photos of the part upon receipt if you have any, photos of the defect from several angles and at different distances, photos of the part mounted on the vehicle, installation instructions. Add the installation invoice if a professional intervened.

Step 3 — write to the seller. Send a clear request on a durable medium: email or letter. Three elements must be included. The order reminder. The factual description of the defect. And above all, the explicit invocation of the legal warranty of conformity, specifying the desired remedy: repair, replacement, or refund. This wording often changes the nature of the response.

Step 4 — issue a formal notice if necessary. In the absence of a response or in case of an unjustified refusal, send a formal notice by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, setting a reasonable deadline and reminding the applicable texts. This letter constitutes a useful legal step, often decisive.

Step 5 — contact the mediator. Any professional selling to consumers must offer a consumer mediation system, the details of which appear on their website and in their general terms and conditions. The filing is free for the consumer. In parallel, you can report the difficulty to the fraud enforcement services.

Step 6 — the judicial route. As a last resort, civil courts are competent. For low-value disputes, simplified procedures exist. A prior attempt at an amicable settlement is generally required for small disputes — another reason to keep a written record of all your steps.

Homologation, technical inspection, and insurance

These three topics concern the conformity of the vehicle, not the warranty of the part, but they are inseparable from the subject.

Homologation. Certain categories of parts are subject to regulatory approval or marking, particularly in the field of lighting and safety equipment. Purely aesthetic parts generally do not fall under specific homologation, but the vehicle as a whole must remain compliant with technical rules. For any lighting part or part affecting safety, demand information from the seller about the applicable marking.

Technical inspection. Properly fixed aesthetic modifications generally do not pose a problem. Elements that are poorly fixed or have dangerous edges, those that mask a light, a reflector, or the license plate, those that impair visibility, and any non-compliant lighting modification are subject to special attention. In case of uncertainty about a visible part, ask a testing center before installation: advice is generally free.

Insurance. Practices vary from one insurer to another. Many ask to be informed of notable modifications, especially those that change the exterior appearance or the value of the vehicle. The issue appears at the time of the claim: an undeclared added part risks not being indemnified. A call to your advisor, free and quick, removes all ambiguity — keep a written record of their response.

The vehicle manufacturer's warranty. A persistent misconception is that installing an aftermarket part cancels the vehicle warranty. European competition law governs this issue: a manufacturer cannot make its warranty dependent on the exclusive use of its own parts. However, if a defect is caused by a non-compliant part or intervention, the coverage of that specific defect may be refused. The warranty is therefore not "canceled" overall: it is a causal link that is assessed, case by case.

The calendar of your rights: all deadlines in one table

Most car part warranty cases are lost on a question of date, not on a question of substance. Here are the landmarks to keep at hand, from the day of the order until the end of your remedies.

Two reflexes are enough to secure the whole. The first: note the receipt date, not the order date, because it is the delivery that starts the legal warranty of conformity. The second: date the discovery of the defect in writing, even just an email to the seller on the same day. In the field of hidden defects, this date becomes the starting point of your two years.

One case deserves special attention: the part ordered then stored several months before installation, a very frequent situation when preparing a complete project. The warranty runs from delivery, not from installation. If you assemble a set of elements to be installed later, present each part dry on the vehicle upon receipt: a fit defect discovered eight months later remains covered within the deadline, but becomes significantly harder to get accepted without proof of an initial inspection.

Customizable complaint letter template

A well-constructed letter settles the majority of cases without further steps. It does not need to be legal: it must be dated, factual, and explicit on the invoked basis. Here is a template to adapt, to send by email then, if necessary, by registered letter.

Three details make the difference in this letter. First, the explicit mention of the legal basis: it signals that you are not asking for a commercial gesture but the execution of an obligation. Next, the numbered deadline, which transforms a request into a deadline and prepares a possible formal notice. Finally, the announced alternative solution: by indicating what you will do failing that, you avoid a second letter.

Two writing errors often recur. Multiplying secondary grievances — a delivery delay, poor packaging — dilutes the main subject and invites a partial response. Using an aggressive or threatening tone, then, systematically produces the opposite effect of the one sought: the file leaves the customer service circuit to join the slower legal service circuit. Stay neutral, precise, and polite: it is the most effective posture.

Distance purchase: damaged package, delay, incomplete delivery

Many disputes attributed to the car part warranty do not fall under it: they are transport or delivery incidents, which obey different rules and much shorter deadlines. Knowing how to distinguish them avoids wasting time on the wrong ground.

The package arrives damaged

A body part travels in bulky packaging, often handled several times. If the box is dented, torn, or visibly crushed, make written, precise, and detailed reservations at the time of delivery. A generic statement such as "subject to unpacking" has virtually no legal weight. Describe what you see: "box dented on the lower right corner by about ten centimeters." Photograph the package before opening it, then during unpacking. If you have serious doubts, you can refuse delivery.

The part is broken in intact packaging

This situation generally points to a packaging defect, and therefore to the seller's liability: the professional must deliver goods that conform to the contract, which requires packaging suitable for transport. Report it very quickly, with photographs of the internal padding—the condition of the internal protection is often the determining factor in the case.

The package does not arrive or arrives incomplete

For a remote purchase, the professional is responsible for the proper execution of the delivery. In the absence of an agreed date, the law requires delivery without unjustified delay. After a reasonable period, submit a request for delivery within a new timeframe, and then, if necessary, request the cancellation of the order and a refund. For a partial shipment—missing hardware, instructions, or an advertised accessory—it is an incomplete delivery: the seller must complete it at their own expense.

Right of withdrawal or warranty: do not confuse them

The fourteen-day right of withdrawal applies to a conforming product that you no longer want; return costs may remain your responsibility, and the product must be returned uninstalled, in a condition that allows it to be resold. The warranty applies to a defective product; the remedy to bring it into conformity is entirely free. For a part that has already been glued or drilled, the right of withdrawal can no longer be exercised, while the legal warranty remains open.

Second-hand, refurbished, seller outside the European Union

The protections described above assume a new purchase from a professional established in France or the European Union. Three common situations differ from this and deserve to be known before ordering.

The second-hand part purchased from a private individual

The legal guarantee of conformity does not apply: it requires a professional seller. The warranty against hidden defects remains, open even between private individuals—but ads very often include an exclusion clause, which is valid if the seller genuinely did not know about the defect. In practice, for a second-hand body part, a physical inspection before payment remains your best protection: check the mounting points, the back of the part, the condition of the inserts, and the presence of paint touch-ups, which often betray a repaired impact.

The second-hand part sold by a professional

Here, the legal guarantee of conformity does indeed apply, but the presumption period that the defect existed at the time of delivery is reduced for second-hand goods: it is no longer twenty-four months. Beyond that, the burden of proving the defect was original lies with you. Always request an invoice explicitly stating the "second-hand" condition as well as a description of the goods, because this description will serve as the reference for assessing conformity.

The seller established outside the European Union

This is the most misunderstood aspect of online shopping. French and European consumer law provides effective protection when the seller is established in the Union or clearly directs their business toward the French market. When dealing with a seller established outside the Union, your rights exist in theory but become, in practice, very difficult to enforce: seller identification, language, competent jurisdiction, disproportionate procedural costs. In addition, there are import costs, often discovered upon delivery, and return timeframes incompatible with the withdrawal period.

The useful reflex is simple: before ordering, check the legal notices. A company name, registration number, business address, intra-Community VAT number, and the contact details of a consumer mediator are all signs of a reachable contact in case of difficulty. A site that only publishes a contact form offers you no enforceable guarantee, regardless of the promise displayed on its product pages.

Choosing a seller: the 10 signs of a serious warranty

The best way to never have to invoke a warranty is to choose carefully beforehand. These ten criteria can be observed in a few minutes on any shop, and clearly distinguish a solid seller from an opportunistic storefront.

1. Complete legal notices: company name, registration number, address, intra-Community VAT, publication director.
2. Legible general terms and conditions of sale, which explicitly mention legal warranties and never claim to replace them.
3. A named consumer mediator, with their contact details: this is a legal requirement, and its absence is telling.
4. Precisely stated compatibility: generation, phase, year, trim—not a vague "compatible with all versions".
5. A verifiable material description: genuine carbon fiber, carbon fiber look, ABS, polyurethane. Ambiguity on this point is a major red flag.
6. Actual photographs of the product, including the back of the part and the mounting points.
7. Installation instructions available or viewable before purchase.
8. A reachable human contact before ordering: ask a technical question and judge the answer.
9. An explicit return policy, clearly distinguishing between withdrawal and warranty.
10. Verified and contextualized reviews, including nuanced feedback: a perfect rating on thousands of reviews deserves a closer look.

An eleventh criterion, less visible, often proves decisive: the consistency of references. A seller who maintains their catalog over time is able to provide the same part eighteen months later in the event of a warranty replacement. An unstable catalog, updated at the whim of opportunities, makes any like-for-like exchange impossible—and turns a theoretical warranty into a simple refund, which is not the same thing when you have already painted the part in your vehicle's color.

The mistakes that cause you to lose the benefit of the warranty

None of these mistakes theoretically removes your rights. All, however, make exercising them much more difficult—sometimes impossible to prove. They appear with striking regularity in cases that become bogged down.

Throwing away the packaging and instructions

A warranty replacement requires a return; a return requires packaging suitable for a large and fragile part. Keep the box and padding until at least the end of the commercial warranty period. The instructions, meanwhile, serve to demonstrate that the installation complied with the requirements.

Installing a visibly defective part

This is the most costly mistake. A part whose defect was noticeable before installation, but which is nevertheless glued, drilled, or painted, becomes very difficult to have covered: the seller will object, often successfully, that you accepted the goods knowing the defect. Any doubt during unpacking requires you to stop the job immediately and report it in writing.

Painting before presenting it unpainted

Painting is an irreversible transformation that precludes any return and complicates the demonstration of an original defect. Always present the bare part on the vehicle, alignments checked, before entrusting it to a painter. This step takes twenty minutes and avoids most fitment disputes.

Paying outside traceable channels

A payment without a trace or a personalized invoice deprives you of any proof of purchase. Yet the invoice is the document that identifies the seller, the date of issue, and the exact description of the goods: without it, there is no case.

Waiting several months before reporting

You remain within the legal timeframes, but each passing month makes the origin of the defect more questionable. Report it in writing as soon as you discover it, even if you do not initiate the full process until later: the time-stamped email fixes the date of discovery.

Negotiating verbally

A phone agreement cannot be proven. After any verbal exchange, send a short confirmation email summarizing what was agreed. This simple reflex is enough to turn the tide of a disputed case.

Modifying the part to make it fit

Cutting, filing, or trimming a bracket: the part ceases to be the one that was delivered. If the fitment does not work, that is precisely the defect to report—not a problem to solve yourself. Photograph the misalignment in place before any intervention.

Frequently asked questions about auto part warranties

Is an aftermarket part covered by a warranty?

Yes. The product category is irrelevant: as long as a professional sells new goods to a consumer in France, the two-year legal guarantee of conformity and the warranty against hidden defects apply. An adaptable part benefits from exactly the same legal protections as an original part.

Does the warranty start from the purchase or from receipt?

The legal guarantee of conformity starts from the delivery of the goods, that is, their actual receipt. Keep the proof of delivery in addition to the invoice: the two dates can differ by several weeks for a specific part order.

Can the seller require me to prove the defect?

During the twenty-four months following the delivery of new goods, no: the defect is presumed to have existed at the time of delivery, and it is up to the seller to prove otherwise. Remind them of this point if they ask you for an inspection at your expense during this period.

Can I request a refund instead of a replacement?

Not immediately under the guarantee of conformity. The law provides a hierarchy: repair or replacement first, then a price reduction or contract cancellation if these solutions fail, take an unreasonably long time, or cause you major inconvenience. Cancellation is also possible from the outset in certain cases, notably if the defect is sufficiently serious.

Who pays the return costs for a defective part?

The seller. Bringing the goods into conformity under the legal guarantee is free for the consumer, which includes shipping costs. Do not confuse this with the fourteen-day right of withdrawal, where return costs may remain your responsibility.

Does the warranty cover the costs of removal and reinstallation?

The question of associated labor is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and bringing the goods into conformity must occur without major inconvenience or cost to the consumer. In practice, this point is often subject to negotiation. Always provide a detailed invoice of the intervention to support your request.

What should I do if the seller has ceased trading?

The legal guarantee of conformity applies to the seller; if they have disappeared, it becomes difficult to exercise. The warranty against hidden defects opens up other avenues, as case law allows, under certain conditions, action against the manufacturer. If payment was made by card, also inquire about the options offered by your bank.

Is a six-month warranty legal?

A six-month commercial warranty is perfectly legal: its duration is at liberty. But it does not reduce your two years of legal guarantee of conformity in any way. On the other hand, a clause claiming to limit the legal guarantee itself to six months would not be enforceable against a consumer.

The withdrawal period and the warranty: are they the same thing?

No, they are two distinct mechanisms. Withdrawal—fourteen days from receipt—allows you to back out of a remote purchase without giving a reason, even if the product is perfect. The warranty, on the contrary, presupposes a defect and is exercised over a much longer period.

Is a part I have painted still covered by a warranty?

Painting is a transformation of the goods. It does not, in principle, remove the warranty for an independent defect—a molding crack remains a molding crack—but it considerably complicates the demonstration and precludes any return or exchange. Always photograph the bare part before entrusting it to the painter, and have it presented unpainted on the vehicle before painting.

How long does the seller have to respond?

No universal response time is set, but bringing the goods into conformity must occur within a reasonable timeframe after your request, without major inconvenience to you. In practice, allow about fifteen days before sending a formal notice.

Can I invoke both legal warranties at the same time?

You are free to choose the most favorable basis, and you can mention both in your letter. In practice, invoke the guarantee of conformity first as long as it is still open, because the burden of proof lies with the seller, and keep hidden defects as a subsidiary basis or beyond two years.

Does the part need to be installed by a professional to be covered?

No, unless the seller stated before purchase that the product requires professional installation. The warranty of an auto part covers the part itself; installation is a question of causality. Damage caused by installation is not covered, but careful installation carried out by yourself does not deprive you of any rights.

What should I do if the seller claims "non-compliant use"?

Ask them to specify in writing what this non-compliant use consists of and on what technical element they base their analysis. During the presumption period, this demonstration is their responsibility. A vague, unsupported answer does not constitute a reasoned refusal—mention this in your formal notice.

Does the warranty apply if I have resold the vehicle?

The legal guarantee of conformity benefits the buyer of the part, that is, you, regardless of the fate of the vehicle. In practice, if the part went with the car, your remedies lose their object since you no longer have the goods to be replaced. A written agreement with the purchaser of the vehicle can, in certain cases, clarify the situation.

Is a part purchased on sale less covered by a warranty?

No. The price paid has no bearing on the scope of the legal warranties. A discounted, clearance, or promotional item opens up exactly the same rights as an item sold at the regular price. Only a clear mention of a known and accepted defect before purchase—a part explicitly sold as slightly scratched, for example—excludes this specific defect from the scope of conformity.

Second-hand car: the legal guarantee of conformity also applies, and many people are unaware of it

This is the query that dominates the entire field: under the "legal guarantee of conformity" pivot, Google offers "legal guarantee of conformity for second-hand cars" in the first position, ahead of the generic query itself. The subject goes beyond the spare part, but it follows exactly the same mechanism, and the confusion costs thousands of buyers dearly every year.

Since the transposition of European Directive 2019/771, which came into effect on January 1^st, 2022, the legal guarantee of conformity covers second-hand goods sold by a professional exactly like new goods, for the same duration of two years from delivery. A garage, an agent, a dealership, or a professional platform cannot sell a second-hand vehicle "without a warranty" to a consumer. The mention "sold as is," omnipresent in professional ads, has no effect on this right.

Only one thing changes between new and second-hand: the duration of the presumption period. For new goods, for twenty-four months, the defect is presumed to have existed on the day of delivery, and it is up to the seller to prove otherwise. For second-hand goods, this presumption is reduced to twelve months. Between the thirteenth and twenty-fourth months, the warranty still exists, but the burden of proof shifts to the buyer: you must then establish that the defect pre-existed the sale, generally through an expert inspection.

The second pivot confirms this: behind "hidden defect car" come "hidden defect second-hand car," "hidden defect car bought in a garage," "hidden defect car private to private," and "hidden defect car timeframe." On this last point, the answer can be stated in one sentence: the action prescribes after two years from the discovery of the defect, and not from the sale—hence the importance of dating the discovery in writing from the very first day, as the calendar above reminds us.

Three defects constantly come up before judges in used vehicle cases: an engine that fails shortly after purchase despite no faulty maintenance, an obviously tampered mileage reading, and a concealed history of serious accidents. The latter two often also involve fraud, which opens up an additional legal action to void the sale. In all cases, the order of steps remains the same: written record, formal notice, mediation, then court.

The durability commercial warranty: the provision almost no one claims

Under the "commercial warranty" pivot, Google suggests "durability commercial warranty", "Consumer Code commercial warranty" and "commercial warranty duration". The first refers to a recent, precise mechanism that is almost never invoked by buyers.

When a manufacturer offers a durability commercial warranty for more than two years, the seller is required to make it available to the consumer, without any special action on their part, for the entire stated duration. In other words: the "3-year" or "5-year" warranty displayed on packaging is not just a marketing promise from a distant manufacturer; it also binds the person who sold you the part. Articles L.217-21 to L.217-24 of the Consumer Code govern the whole: the commercial warranty must be provided on a durable medium, in French, and explicitly state the existence of legal warranties.

Two practical habits follow from this. The first: keep the packaging or instructions that carry the duration statement, as this is your proof of the warranty contract. The second: if a seller offers you a paid warranty extension for the first two years, ask them the simple question of what it adds to the mandatory 2-year warranty you already have. The answer is often: nothing, or almost nothing.

Part fitted by a garage: who guarantees what, and who to turn to

The "car part warranty" pivot brings up "car part garage warranty" alongside "new car part warranty" and "used car part warranty". This is the most misunderstood situation of the subject, because two distinct responsibilities overlap.

The part is guaranteed by the person who sold it to you. The fitting is guaranteed by the person who performed it. These are two different contracts, with two different regimes. Regarding fitting, the garage is held to an obligation of result: if the failure occurs on the component they just repaired, case law places a presumption of liability on them, and it is up to them to prove that the defect did not come from their work or their diagnosis.

When you provide the part yourself, the division does not change, but it becomes tighter: the garage then only guarantees its service, and it has the right to refuse to fit a part it deems unsuitable. If it agrees to fit it without a written reservation, it cannot later hide behind the origin of the part for any failure occurring on its intervention. Always have the exact reference of the part provided mentioned on the repair order. For accessories that you fit yourself, the question of the support and surface preparation is decisive: it is detailed in our 3M adhesive and surface preparation guide.

Parts with explicit warranty conditions

Audi TT RS MK3 MK2 Spoiler (2008-2020)Audi A5 S5 Spoiler (2017-2023)Audi A3 S3 RS3 8Y Sportback Spoiler 2021-2024Audi Q2 Q3 Q5 SUV Spoiler

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Spare parts availability: the information the seller must give you

The "spare part warranty" pivot only brings up two suggestions, including "car spare part warranty" — a low volume, but a very precise intention, and a right that almost no buyer uses.

Article L.111-4 of the Consumer Code requires the manufacturer or importer to inform the seller of the period during which the spare parts essential to the use of a good will be available, and the seller to pass this information on to the consumer before the conclusion of the contract, then in writing upon delivery. When this period is announced, the manufacturer must provide the parts to professionals within two months. Missing or false information is punishable: it constitutes, depending on the case, a breach of the pre-contractual obligation of information or a misleading commercial practice.

Concretely, on a bodywork or interior part, the useful question to ask before purchase is that of the consumable elements: the mounting clips, the seals, the threaded inserts, the replacement double-sided tape. A part whose broken clip condemns the whole is a false economy. A serious seller answers this point bluntly — it is also one of the ten signals detailed above, and one of the criteria of our approved tuning accessory guide.

The seller no longer answers: formal notice, SignalConso, chargeback and judge

"Seller formal notice letter template" is the only suggestion Google brings up on the "seller formal notice" pivot, and the suggestions from the "seller complaint" pivot all revolve around the same distress: "seller does not answer". Here is what exists after the registered letter, in order from simplest to heaviest.

The administrative report. SignalConso, the public service for reporting consumer disputes, transmits your report to the company and the DGCCRF. It does not obtain you a refund on its own, but it feeds the professional's inspection file, and many companies respond through this channel after having ignored two emails.

The banking recourse. On a card payment, the so-called chargeback procedure allows you to ask your bank to cancel a debit when the service has not been provided or the good never arrived. It falls under the rules of the card networks, not the law: the deadlines and acceptable reasons vary, generally count on a few weeks from the date of the transaction, and submit the request in writing with the complete file. Do not confuse it with the opposition for fraudulent use of the card, which is a completely different mechanism and should never be invoked wrongly.

Mediation, then the judge. The referral to the consumer mediator is free and mandatory to offer for any professional selling to individuals. In case of failure, the protection litigation judge is competent for consumer disputes, without a mandatory lawyer below €10,000. For a cross-border purchase in the European Union, the European procedure for the settlement of small claims applies up to €5,000 and is conducted by form, in principle without a hearing.

One last point, often decisive: keep the dispute on a single ground at a time. Launching simultaneously a formal notice, a chargeback and a report regularly produces the opposite effect of the one sought, the seller suspending all amicable processing while the banking procedure resolves itself. The modifications you have made to the vehicle do not enter the equation as long as they are unrelated to the invoked defect: the subject is treated in detail in our guides on the impact of a Start/Stop deactivation on the warranty and on the legality of a spoiler at the technical inspection.

Accessories delivered with instructions and complete fixings

Audi TT MK2 Mirror CoverAudi Q2 Q3 Mirror CoverMercedes Class A Mirror Cover Glossy BlackGlossy Black Mirror Covers Audi A3 8Y

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Adaptable part and manufacturer warranty: what European law guarantees you

It is the number one fear before fitting an aftermarket accessory on a car still under warranty: will I lose the manufacturer warranty? The answer lies in a European text that dealerships rarely mention spontaneously.

The principle: a manufacturer cannot require exclusivity

European Regulation No. 461/2010 on motor vehicle distribution, extended until May 31, 2028, and the additional guidelines accompanying it set a clear rule: a manufacturer cannot make its warranty conditional on the exclusive use of original parts, nor on the performance of all maintenance in its own network. The only exception concerns repairs performed free of charge under the warranty itself: there, the manufacturer pays, so it chooses the part.

Concretely, fitting a spoiler, mirror covers, paddle shifters or a gear shift knob does not "break" the vehicle warranty. A clause in the maintenance booklet claiming the opposite is unenforceable.

The real limit: the causal link

What the manufacturer can refuse is to cover the defect that your part caused. Two situations not to be confused:

And above all: it is up to the manufacturer to establish this causal link, not to you to prove your innocence. A verbal refusal of the type "you touched the car, so no more warranty" has no value. Ask it in writing: in the majority of cases, the written request is enough to make the warranty reappear.

And maintenance outside the network?

Same logic: having your car serviced at an independent garage does not remove the warranty, provided that the maintenance respects the manufacturer's plan (periodicity, oil specifications, equivalent quality parts) and that it is documented by detailed invoices. Keep them: without them, the discussion becomes purely declarative.

Compare the warranties of the major retailers: the eight questions that make the difference

"2-year warranty", "satisfied or refunded", "free return": the car part warranties displayed by the major retailers all look alike on the homepage. The gap widens in the general terms and conditions. Rather than comparing slogans, compare the answers to these eight questions — they are always in the T&Cs, sometimes in three clicks.

One last marker, very telling: look for the withdrawal form template. It is mandatory for any distance seller. A site that does not publish it generally neglects the rest of its obligations.

<$22--> Formal notice template: the letter that really triggers the deadlines

A polite complaint and a formal notice do not produce the same legal effects. The first opens a discussion. The second constitutes the seller in delay in the sense of article 1344 of the Civil Code: it makes interest run, opens the way to the resolution of the contract and serves as a key piece before the judge. It is the step to take when the reasoned email remained unanswered.

The five mentions without which it is not a formal notice

1. The explicit title"Formal notice" in the subject. A letter that is not named so will be argued as a simple reminder.
2. The dated factsOrder number, purchase date, delivery date, date the defect was discovered, factual description without adjectives.
3. The legal basisLegal guarantee of conformity (Articles L.217-3 et seq. of the Consumer Code) or latent defects (Articles 1641 et seq. of the Civil Code), depending on your situation.
4. The quantified request and the deadlineWhat you require—repair, replacement, refund—and within what timeframe, fifteen days being the standard.
5. The stated consequenceWhat you will do when the deadline expires: refer the matter to the consumer mediator, file a report, or take action before the protection litigation judge.

The template to copy

How to send it, and what to keep

• By registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt: the acknowledgment dates the start of your deadline.
• Followed by an email containing the same text: the seller will not be able to plead ignorance while waiting for the mail carrier.
• Keep the signed copy, the proof of deposit, and the acknowledgment of receipt in the same file as the invoice.
• Scan everything: a complete file attached speeds up any mediation.

In practice, a properly drafted formal notice unlocks a significant portion of cases that have remained silent, simply because it shows that the next steps are prepared. If it remains ineffective, the escalation described above—mediation, SignalConso, chargeback, judge—picks up where this letter leaves off.

FAQ: car part warranty, returns and recourse

Twelve additional questions, asked exactly as they arrive at customer service, with direct answers.

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To go further

To prevent most disputes in advance, learn to judge the quality of a part before purchase using our objective criteria. For damaged packages, delays, and delivery reservations, see our guide to car part delivery in France. And if you are a professional, our guide to becoming a car parts reseller details the warranty obligations from the seller's side.