{"id":352527,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:01","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/what-will-void-a-warranty.html"},"modified":"2024-03-19T10:48:40","modified_gmt":"2024-03-19T15:48:40","slug":"what-will-void-a-warranty","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/what-will-void-a-warranty.html","title":{"rendered":"What Will Void a Warranty?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

What Will Void a Warranty?<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Hannah Hilst<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

A warranty can be voided if a product is misused, altered, or not maintained properly according to the warranty terms. However, under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, merchants can’t void a warranty for unreasonable or undisclosed reasons. It’s crucial to understand warranty coverage, including what defects and parts are included, maintenance requirements, and any modifications that may risk voiding it.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

A merchant might declare a warranty void under various circumstances. This outcome is more likely if you use a product for something other than its usual purpose. The seller or manufacturer may then choose not to honor the warranty terms.<\/p>\n

Sometimes\u00a0merchants may attempt to void a warranty for illegal reasons. The\u00a0Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act<\/a>, a federal law for most U.S. consumer purchases, limits when a seller can refuse to honor a warranty. State laws often add another layer of consumer protection against voiding\u00a0warranties.<\/p>\n

This article focuses on how a merchant may or may not void a\u00a0product warranty<\/a>. Learn how to identify your warranty rights for your purchases. Even if a business voids your\u00a0express warranty<\/a>, you may still have protection under an\u00a0implied warranty<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Understand Your Warranty Terms<\/h2>\n

The best way to avoid jeopardizing your\u00a0warranty coverage<\/a>\u00a0is to\u00a0understand how it works. Each warranty has unique requirements to follow as a customer if you want remedies for product issues.<\/p>\n

Ask yourself the following questions when making a major purchase:<\/p>\n