Refurbished Warranty: How Long and What's Covered?

About 50% of German consumers avoid buying refurbished devices because they're unsure about the warranty. That's according to a 2025 study by the Vodafone Institute. The concern is understandable. But usually unfounded.

Here's the reality: Refurbished devices from reputable sellers come with at least 12 months of statutory warranty in Germany. Many providers voluntarily add 24 or even 36 months on top. That's often more than you'd ever get from a used phone on eBay.

This guide covers everything you need to know about refurbished warranties. Which provider offers what, what's actually covered (and what isn't), and how to make a claim if something goes wrong.

Warranty vs. Statutory Guarantee: The Distinction Most People Miss

Before we dive into provider specifics, this distinction matters.

The German Consumer Association puts it simply: "Statutory warranty (Gewährleistung) is not the same as guarantee (Garantie). The former is a legal right."

Statutory Warranty (Your Legal Right)

In Germany, the statutory warranty is anchored in civil law (BGB). Every commercial seller must provide it. For new products, it runs 24 months. For used goods, including refurbished devices, sellers can reduce it to 12 months.

Important: Since January 2022, the burden of proof lies with the seller for the first 12 months. That means the seller must prove you caused the damage, not the other way around. This used to be just six months.

Guarantee (Voluntary Extra)

The guarantee is a voluntary commitment from the seller or manufacturer. It can supplement or extend the statutory warranty. Some providers offer 24 or 36 months. That's marketing, but in a good way: you benefit from it.

Kanzlei Herfurtner, a German consumer law firm, explains: "A guarantee is a voluntary assurance offered by the manufacturer or seller, while statutory warranty is a legal obligation."

Why This Matters for You

When something breaks, you have two options. You can invoke your statutory warranty (your legal right against the seller) or use the voluntary guarantee (if it's more convenient or lasts longer). Most sellers handle both through the same process, but knowing the difference doesn't hurt.

Refurbished Warranty by Provider: The Complete Comparison

Let's get specific. We've compared warranty terms from the major refurbished sellers in Germany.

The Winners: Rebuy and Swappie Premium

Rebuy offers 36 months, the longest warranty in the entire market. That's three times the legal minimum. For an iPhone you plan to use for two or three years, this makes a real difference.

Swappie Premium matches those 36 months and adds something extra: 100% battery capacity. With other providers, the battery might be at 80 or 85% depending on the condition grade. Swappie Premium guarantees a brand-new battery.

The Cautionary Tale: asgoodasnew

With asgoodasnew, you need to pay attention. The 30-month warranty sounds good, but there's a catch: you must register your device within 30 days of purchase. Miss that deadline, and you fall back to just the statutory 12-month warranty.

Stiftung Warentest (Germany's leading consumer testing organization) also criticized that asgoodasnew's warranty "only applies if the device had damage at the time of manufacture." That offers minimal real-world protection.

The Marketplaces: Refurbed and Back Market

Refurbed isn't a single seller but a platform. Warranty length depends on the specific seller, usually ranging from 12 to 24 months. You also get 30 days to return items. Quality control is strict, but always check which seller is behind a specific listing.

Back Market works similarly. The standard is 12 months of seller warranty. You can add BackUp insurance for accidental damage coverage. Worth considering if you tend to drop phones.

The Established Players: MediaMarkt, Apple, Amazon

MediaMarkt offers 24 months through their partnership with Recommerce. That matches the statutory warranty for new goods, which is a good deal.

Apple Certified Refurbished includes 12 months of Apple warranty. You can add AppleCare to extend coverage up to three years. Prices tend to be higher than other providers, though.

Amazon Renewed provides 12 months of commercial warranty. The advantage: Amazon's famously easy returns. If something's wrong, you'll get your money back quickly.

What Does the Warranty Actually Cover?

Warranty sounds reassuring. But what does it mean in practice? Here's the breakdown.

What IS Covered

• Hardware defects: Display failure, broken camera, speaker malfunction

• Functional issues: Device won't start, touchscreen unresponsive

• Charging problems: Device doesn't charge or charges intermittently

• Button failures: Home button, volume buttons, power button not working

What ISN'T Covered

• Drop damage: Phone fell, screen cracked

• Water damage: Device had contact with liquid

• Cosmetic issues: Scratches documented at purchase

• Software problems: Apps crashing, slow system

• Normal battery wear: Battery doesn't last as long after two years

The Battery Question

Battery degradation is the most common point of contention. Most providers guarantee a minimum capacity at delivery, typically 80 to 85%. If your battery drops to 75% after six months of use, that's considered normal wear and isn't covered.

Exceptions: Swappie Premium with its 100% capacity guarantee. Or if the battery degrades significantly within the first few weeks, which suggests a defect.

How to File a Warranty Claim

Your refurbished device has a problem? Don't panic. Most warranty cases get resolved smoothly. Here's the process.

Step 1: Document the Problem

Before contacting the seller, gather evidence.

• Take screenshots or videos of the issue

• Note when the problem first appeared

• Have your order number ready

• Find your purchase confirmation (email works)

Step 2: Contact the Seller

Most providers have an online form for warranty claims. Alternatively, email customer service. Describe the problem as precisely as possible and attach your documentation.

Tip: Set a deadline. "I request a response within 14 days" shows you know your rights.

Step 3: Return Shipment

The seller typically sends you a free return label. Under statutory warranty, the seller bears all costs for transport, repair, or replacement. That's the law.

Important: Back up your data first. If the device gets repaired or replaced, your photos and apps might be gone.

Step 4: What You'll Get

The seller has three options:

1. Repair: The device gets fixed and returned
2. Replacement: You receive an equivalent device
3. Refund: If neither repair nor replacement works

You can't demand a refund right away. The seller gets to try fixing the problem first. If that fails twice, you're entitled to a full refund.

Step 5: If the Seller Refuses

Sometimes sellers claim you caused the damage yourself. But in the first 12 months, the burden of proof is on them. They need to demonstrate that you're at fault.

If you're stuck: The German Consumer Association offers advice. Or you can use the EU's online dispute resolution platform.

New EU Warranty Labels from September 2026

Starting September 27, 2026, things are changing. The EU is introducing standardized warranty labels that all sellers must display.

According to IT-Recht Kanzlei, sellers will no longer be allowed to bury warranty information in the fine print. Instead, they must display "an EU-wide standardized label."

What This Means for You

More transparency: You'll see warranty and guarantee terms at a glance. No more digging through terms and conditions.

Standardized design: The label looks the same everywhere. Whether you're shopping at Refurbed, MediaMarkt, or Amazon, you can compare information directly.

Mandatory: Sellers who don't display the label correctly risk warnings and fines.

Why This Matters for Refurbished

With refurbished devices, warranty terms vary wildly. 12 months here, 36 months there, registration requirements at asgoodasnew. The new label creates clarity. From autumn 2026, you'll know immediately what you're getting.

Tips for Buying Refurbished

Based on our research, here are the key points to watch.

1. Check Warranty Length

36 months (Rebuy, Swappie Premium) beats 12 months. Obvious, yet often overlooked. For a device you plan to keep for several years, warranty length matters.

2. Look for Registration Requirements

At asgoodasnew, you must register your device within 30 days. Miss that, and you drop to the statutory 12-month warranty. Check every provider for registration requirements.

3. Clarify Battery Capacity

Ask about the guaranteed minimum capacity. 80% is the industry standard, but some providers are more transparent than others. Swappie Premium offers 100%, which is the exception.

4. Use the Return Window

Most providers give you 14 to 30 days to return the device for any reason. Test everything during this period: display, cameras, microphone, speakers, charging port. If you notice anything, use the return option.

5. Keep Your Receipt

Sounds basic, but: no receipt, no warranty claim. Save the confirmation email in a folder and don't delete it.

Refurbished Warranty by Product Category

Smartphones

For refurbished phones, warranty matters most. These devices see daily use, sometimes get dropped, and batteries eventually wear down.

Our recommendation: Aim for at least 12 months warranty and check battery capacity. For iPhones, Swappie Premium with 36 months and 100% battery is a safe bet. For Android, Rebuy leads with 36 months.

Laptops

Refurbished laptops often come from business leasing. They were built for continuous use, which makes them durable.

Stiftung Warentest tested eight refurbished laptop shops in 2025. Four received a "good" rating. Look for at least 24 months warranty and check whether the battery was replaced.

Tablets

Tablets see less intensive use than smartphones but have similar warranty terms. Most providers treat them like phones: 12 to 36 months, depending on the seller.

For iPads, Apple Certified Refurbished also lets you add AppleCare.

The Psychology Behind Warranty Anxiety

Here's an interesting detail from the research: The Vodafone study shows that 81% of people who bought refurbished once would do it again.

That means warranty anxiety usually disappears after the first purchase. Reality is better than the fear.

Germany ranks last in the EU for refurbished adoption, by the way. Only 25% have ever bought a refurbished device. Other countries are much higher.

Maybe we're just particularly cautious. Or warranty and guarantee information wasn't clear enough before. Well, now you have this guide.

Summary: What to Watch For

Refurbished warranty is better than most people think. With 12 months of statutory warranty plus often additional seller guarantees, you're well covered.

Key takeaways:

• Rebuy (36 months) and Swappie Premium (36 months + 100% battery) offer the longest coverage

• At asgoodasnew, register within 30 days or lose extended warranty

• Statutory warranty is your legal right, guarantee is a voluntary extra

• From September 2026, new EU labels bring more transparency

At refurbito, we compare prices across all major refurbished sellers. That way you find not just the cheapest deal, but also see what warranty comes with it. Save money and stay protected, that's possible.