How long should it last? NZ consumer law by product

New Zealand and Australian consumer law protect you for as long as a product should reasonably last. These guides show what that means for the things in your home, and the figures we use to estimate it.

Appliances

5yr

Electronics

3yr

Furniture

8yr

Tools

5yr

I Kept It's estimate of reasonable cover for something that cost $300 to $1,499. Each guide breaks it down by price.

01Pick a category

How long should a fridge, washing machine or heat pump last?2–8 yr
How long should a TV, laptop or phone last?1–5 yr
How long should a couch, bed or dining table last?4–12 yr
How long should a drill, mower or vacuum last?2–8 yr

02Where these numbers come from

The law does not give them. The Consumer Guarantees Act and the Australian Consumer Law both ask what a reasonable consumer would expect, given the type of product and what it cost.

These are the figures I Kept It applies to every item you add, by category and price. They are our judgement, kept deliberately conservative, and they are a starting point for a conversation with a retailer rather than a ruling.

General information, not legal advice. Figures apply to goods bought for personal or household use in New Zealand or Australia.

The warranty is a year or two. The question is how long it should last.

01Pick a category

02Where these numbers come from

Start with one receipt.