Legal guarantee for refurbished goods in Belgium

Updated information: September 9, 2026.

Quick answer: In Belgium, a refurbished device sold by a professional to a consumer is covered by the legal guarantee of conformity. The duration is in principle two years. For second-hand goods, the contract may provide for a shorter duration, never less than one year, provided that the buyer is clearly informed. Always check the conditions given before purchasing.

Open refurbished devices and also keep Repair & Coffee FAQ handy to check information specific to your model.

In this guide

1. To which sales does the legal guarantee apply?
2. What duration applies to second-hand goods?
3. What is the difference with a commercial guarantee?
4. Who to contact when a defect appears?
5. What should a Repair & Coffee form indicate in its details associated with the model?

To which sales does the legal guarantee apply?

The SPF Economy describes the legal guarantee for a consumer good sold by a professional to a consumer who is acting for private purposes. It concerns the lack of conformity: the good must correspond to what was agreed and to what the buyer can reasonably expect taking into account its description, its condition and the information provided.

What duration applies to second-hand goods?

The starting rule is two years. For second-hand goods, the seller and consumer can agree on a shorter period. The FPS Economy specifies that it cannot fall below one year and that the information must be clear and unambiguous. If no valid reduction is agreed, the two-year period remains applicable.

What is the difference with a commercial guarantee?

The legal guarantee comes from the law. A commercial guarantee is an additional commitment defined by the person offering it. It must explain its duration, its procedure, its scope and the identity of the guarantor. The absence of a commercial promise does not erase legal rights. Conversely, the word guarantee on an advertisement is not enough to understand all the conditions.

Who to contact when a defect appears?

For the legal guarantee, the consumer's contact is the final seller. Keep the proof of purchase, the product sheet, the condition described, the exchanges and a trace of the defect. Explain when it appeared and under what conditions. Avoid third-party repair before giving the seller a chance to review the request, as it can complicate findings.

What should a Repair & Coffee form indicate in its details associated with the model?

The form for a refurbished device must specify its condition, known defects, price, configuration and the applicable warranty period. The general conditions must remain consistent with it. As long as this commercial duration and the support terms are not validated, no unconfirmed commercial conditions are assigned to the devices and no standard formula is displayed as a promise.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need to know the exact model before asking for advice?

Yes. The model, year, size or variant may change compatibility, price and useful controls.

Does general information replace a diagnosis?

No. This guide helps prepare the application; an ambiguous symptom requires examination of the device concerned.

Where to check prices and address?

Use the Pricing page for benchmarks by model and the Contact page for NAP and benchmark times.

Official sources

• The guarantee — SPF Economy

Article prepared by Repair & Coffee. For a request related to your device, use the Quote page or consult the prices per model.

Transform the guide into a verifiable file

To apply “Legal guarantee for refurbished products in Belgium”, create a small file dedicated to your legal guarantee file. First enter seller, proof of purchase, date, condition described and defect reported. Add the date, context and what has changed since the last normal operation. The objective is not to make a diagnosis yourself, but to make the observations comparable and to know what information is still missing.

Step 1: Establish the starting point

Describe the device or the offer in precise terms, then return to the central questions of the guide: To which sales does the legal guarantee apply?; What duration applies to a second-hand good?; What is the difference with a commercial guarantee? Answer each in one factual sentence. If you don't know something, write "to verify" instead of replacing it with a guess. This discipline prevents an estimate from becoming, over the course of discussions, a fact presented as certain.

Step 2: Compare equivalent items

Build two columns and keep the same criteria: seller, proof of purchase, date, condition described and defect reported. A difference in model, condition, capacity, technology or scope must remain visible. In particular, it is necessary to distinguish between legal guarantee and commercial commitment. A useful comparison explains each discrepancy; it does not automatically choose the lowest price or the option whose name seems most reassuring.

Step 3: test the least risky hypothesis

Start with external checks that don't open the device or write to its data: observe, note a message, check a known cable, or view system information when the device allows it. Stop if you notice abnormal heat, distortion, mechanical noise, odor or liquid. These signs require a tailored assessment rather than a series of improvised tests.

Step 4: protect the trace and data

Save what can be saved without multiplying manipulations on an unstable medium. Keep a capture of messages, dates, references consulted and description sent. Keep passwords, codes and recovery keys out of a public form. If access becomes useful for an agreed test, ask how it will be used and when you can reinstate your protections.

A concrete decision scenario

Imagine two options for your legal warranty file. The first seems cheaper, but the model or scope is not described. The second names exactly the device, the work and the price including tax. The second is easier to check, even before deciding. If a cause remains uncertain, add a diagnostic step rather than a randomly chosen part, then repeat the comparison with the result obtained.

Takeaway Questions

• Are the seller criteria, proof of purchase, date, condition described and defect reported all written?
• Do the model and variant match exactly?
• Is the price indicated including tax with the name of the option?
• Are the data and access required for the test explained?
• Is the following limit respected: the concrete situation must be examined with the applicable conditions?

What this guide does not allow you to conclude

Keep a clear boundary: the concrete situation must be examined together with the applicable conditions. The text therefore does not make it possible to promise a result, duration, availability or commercial coverage for a particular file. These elements must come from the device, the listing and the conditions actually applicable. An old ad or the offer from another seller does not provide information on the current situation of Repair & Coffee.

Read again before deciding

Reread your legal warranty file as if another person were to understand it without oral explanation. It must be able to identify the model, the facts, the option compared, the price and the unknowns. If a word remains vague, replace it with a question. For a request in Brussels, finally check the address and hours on the Contact page, then keep a copy of what you send.

Additional Questions

What document should I prepare for this subject?

A short statement bringing together seller, proof of purchase, date, condition described and defect reported, with unknowns clearly indicated.

What to do when information is missing?

Note it as a point to check and request a response related to the model or product concerned.

Can we draw any promise from this guide?

No. The concrete situation must be examined together with the applicable conditions.