Legal Warranty for Used Products in Colombia: Buyer Rights (SIC)

Heads up on this: you bought a used fridge at a downtown shop, two days later the motor quit, and the seller tells you that "used items have no warranty." Sound familiar? It is one of the most common frustrations in Colombia. There is a huge myth that second-hand items are sold based on the buyer's luck, but Colombian law says something quite different depending on who you buy from.

In fact, according to active listings on Colombia Move (July 2026), our electronics section has 30 active posts. Many individuals hesitate to sell their appliances for fear of getting tangled up in legal issues or not knowing what responsibility they are assuming.

To set the ground rules from the start, here is a quick summary of how the used goods warranty works in the country:

The Great Legal Frontier: Stores (B2C) vs. Individuals (C2C)

The biggest mistake both buyers and sellers make is thinking that all sales are measured by the same rule. In Colombia, the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC) and the Consumer Statute (Law 1480 of 2011) govern only consumer relations. That is, when you buy from a professional producer or supplier (a merchant, a local shop, a retail company).

If the transaction is between two natural persons (for example, you bought a TV from your neighbor or a private user on a marketplace), the consumer protection action before the SIC is not the way to resolve that pure C2C dispute. Those private sales are governed by the Colombian Civil Code. Understanding this boundary is vital to knowing what you are entitled to and who you must complain to if something goes wrong. If you want to dig deeper into how to handle returns in general, I suggest reviewing our guide on used goods warranties and returns.

The Store Rules (Law 1480 of 2011)

If you buy an appliance or any second-hand item from a formal business, Law 1480 protects you tooth and nail. According to Article 8 of this law, used products sold by businesses have a legal default warranty of 3 months.

Can they sell you something without a warranty? Yes, but the professional seller cannot simply put a sign on the wall that says "no exchanges or warranties." For the exemption to be legal, the merchant must inform you clearly and you must accept that the item is sold without a warranty expressly and in writing. If you didn't sign anything, those 3 months apply automatically.

In addition, Article 15 of the same law establishes a key rule regarding imperfections. If the seller details on the invoice that the washing machine has a scratch on the door and a dented digital panel, and you accept it, you cannot go and claim a warranty for those specific damages. However, the rest of the components (such as the motor or the water pump) retain their legal warranty intact.

Sales between Individuals: The Civil Code and Hidden Defects

Now, let's talk about the free person-to-person market. When you decide to sell used appliances in Colombia through direct platforms like Colombia Move without being a professional merchant, you are not obligated to provide those 3 months of warranty required by the Consumer Statute.

Here, Articles 1914 and 1915 of the Civil Code apply under the concept of "redhibitory defects" (hidden defects). This means you do not have to provide a technical warranty, but you do have a legal obligation to deliver the item without serious hidden defects that existed before the sale and that make the product unfit for its intended use.

My honest advice if you are going to sell: transparency saves you from any civil lawsuit. Take clear photos, describe every dent, fault, or weird noise in the post. If the buyer knows the real condition of the product before paying, the defect ceases to be "hidden" and the transaction is completely safe for both.

The Step-by-Step for Claiming a Warranty (B2C Relationship)

If you bought from a merchant and the item failed within the 3 months, you cannot go rushing to sue at the SIC immediately. The law requires a strict process:

1. The Direct Claim: It is a mandatory procedural requirement (Art. 58). You must submit a formal, written claim to the seller detailing the fault, the date of purchase, and what you are demanding (repair, exchange, or refund). The seller has a maximum legal deadline of 15 business days to respond with technical evidence.
2. The SIC dilemma (Lawsuit vs. Complaint): If the store does not respond in 15 days or gives you an excuse without technical basis, you can go to the SIC. But beware: you must file a lawsuit (Consumer Protection Action) if you want them to refund your money or repair the item. If you file a complaint, the SIC will only investigate and fine the business, but will not financially compensate you.

Latest SIC Guidelines (SIC Resolution 56579 of 2025)

On August 12, 2025, the SIC Resolution 56579 of 2025 modified several titles of the Circular Única and updated guidelines on warranties and PQR management. Among other matters, it specified obligations for suppliers of electrical and gas appliances and warranty guidelines for vehicle sellers.

This same resolution tightened the rules for Petitions, Complaints, and Claims (PQR) channels for formal suppliers of electrical and gas appliances, forcing them to be much more agile in their technical responses. Also, remember that enforcing the legal warranty (including spare parts and transport of the item) is totally free; they cannot charge you even an extra peso.

Why Selling Directly is Your Best Option

Knowing these rights is vital so that you are not overlooked as a consumer. At the same time, if you have things at home that you no longer use, posting them directly as an individual frees you from the heavy administrative burden and warranty deadlines that the law demands of formal businesses.

Frequently asked questions

❓ How much warranty time does a used appliance bought at a store in Colombia have?

The default period is 3 months under article 8 of Law 1480 of 2011, unless the buyer signs expressly and in writing that they accept the product without a warranty.

❓ If I buy a used fridge from a neighbor, do I have the right to the 3-month warranty under Law 1480?

No. Law 1480 applies when you buy from producers or professional suppliers/merchants in a consumer relationship. Sales between private individuals (C2C) are governed by the Civil Code (hidden defects), where there is no automatic warranty, but there is a right to claim if the device had prior serious hidden faults.

❓ Can you sell a used item in Colombia with the condition "no warranty"?

Yes, a professional merchant can only do so if the buyer explicitly accepts it in writing. If there is no signed document, the law assumes that the product has a 3-month automatic warranty.

❓ How long does a store have to respond to a warranty claim?

The producer or supplier has a maximum legal period of 15 business days to provide a written response with evidence from the moment the direct claim is filed.

❓ What is the difference between filing a lawsuit and reporting a seller to the SIC?

A lawsuit before the SIC seeks the restoration of your individual rights (repair, product exchange, or a refund), while a report protects the public interest so that the repeat-offending business is fined, without providing you with direct financial compensation.

❓ What happens if a used product has a dent detailed on the invoice and the internal motor burns out later?

The 3-month legal warranty cannot be claimed for the dent accepted on the invoice, but it remains fully in effect to protect the functionality of the motor and other internal components that were not exempted.