Q: A year-and-two-months ago I bought a new laptop with a two-year parts and labour warranty. A few weeks ago I returned the laptop to the seller because I could not switch it on and when I finally managed, it made beeping noises.

After a week, the seller called me to collect the repaired laptop. When I tried to use it at home, it showed the same problems, so I returned it to the seller. This time I was informed that they need to change the motherboard and that they had to order the part.

Two weeks later, I picked up the repaired laptop. The following day, I had to return it because it developed another fault. The day after I returned the laptop, I was contacted by the owner who asked me to go to the shop as he wanted to speak to me.

I was told that the laptop was damaged by water and such damage was not covered by the commercial guarantee. I assured them that nothing had been spilled on it and could not understand how they came to this conclusion upon opening the laptop for the third time. The owner told me that the new motherboard would have to be removed unless I wanted to pay €300 for it.

What can I do in this situation?

A: In cases where a trader refuses to provide redress because he claims that the damage was caused by the consumer, since more than six months passed from the date of purchase, it is your responsibility to prove that you did not cause the damage but that it is a hidden defect.

You can have the laptop checked by an independent technician and if he confirms that it is a manufacturing defect, then you can insist with the seller to have the laptop repaired free of charge.

If at this point the seller still refuses to provide you with a free remedy, then you may file a complaint with the Office for Consumer Affairs.

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