In Germany, there is generally a statutory warranty period of two years. This means that buyers can assert certain rights for a period of 24 months after the handover of the item if it turns out that the product has defects or does not correspond to the agreed condition. This statutory regulation serves to protect consumers and ensures that they are protected against faulty products for a reasonable time after purchase.
During the first twelve months of this two-year period, the so-called burden of proof lies with the seller. This means that if a defect occurs within the first year after purchase, it is generally assumed that this defect already existed at the time of handover. In this case, the seller must prove that the defect was not already present at the time of handover if they wish to reject the warranty. After the first twelve months, i.e. in the second year of the warranty period, the burden of proof shifts: now the buyer is obliged to prove that the detected defect was already present at the time of handover.
In addition to the statutory warranty, many manufacturers offer their own guarantee, which can be provided either separately or as an extended warranty. This manufacturer's guarantee can go beyond the statutory claims and grant the buyer additional rights, for example a longer duration or an extended scope of protection. If a manufacturer offers such a guarantee, it naturally also applies and can be claimed by the buyer, independently of the statutory warranty.