Guarantee or statutory warranty? Why your receipts count

Updated 30 October 2026 · Energieagentur Berger GmbH

The statutory warranty is set by law and applies to the seller. A guarantee is a voluntary promise, usually from the manufacturer, with its own terms. For both you need one thing above all: the proof of purchase and evidence of maintenance.

Statutory warranty

Under German law, if you buy a new item from a dealer as a consumer, the dealer is liable for two years for defects that already existed at handover (Section 438 of the German Civil Code, BGB). If a defect appears in the first year, it is presumed to have existed at handover (Section 477 BGB). After that, you have to prove it yourself in a dispute. Wear, for example on brake pads, is not a defect. Other EU countries have similar rules with a minimum of two years; details differ by country.

Voluntary guarantee

A guarantee is given by the manufacturer on top, voluntarily. The manufacturer decides what it covers, how long it lasts and which conditions apply. Batteries and frames often have their own terms. Some manufacturers require regular servicing or registration.

Keep these records

• Proof of purchase for the vehicle and, if bought separately, for the battery
• Invoices for every service and repair
• Receipts for spare parts you bought yourself
• Guarantee terms and registration confirmation
• Photos of the type plate, frame number and battery serial number

With ValueDoc these records are filed with the vehicle and the battery. Thermal paper receipts fade, a photo stays readable.

As of October 2026. General information, not legal advice.

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