Guide · Buying things · 3 min read
Faulty goods
What the law expects of goods a business sells you, and what you can do about an unfair practice.
In plain English · by laws.sg · not legal advice· Law as at 30 Sep 2026
On this page · 4 parts
The short answer
When a seller sells goods in the course of a business, there is an implied condition that the goods are of satisfactory quality.
If a supplier's unfair practice was part of the deal, you can take the supplier to court, for claims of up to $30,000 or another limit the Minister prescribes.
Satisfactory quality
Goods are of satisfactory quality if they meet the standard a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking account of any description of the goods, the price (if relevant) and all the other relevant circumstances.
In appropriate cases, quality includes fitness for all the purposes goods of that kind are commonly supplied for, appearance and finish, freedom from minor defects, safety and durability.
The condition does not cover a defect that was specifically drawn to your attention before the contract was made, or, if you examined the goods before the contract was made, a defect that examination ought to have revealed.
If you tell a seller who sells in the course of a business the particular purpose you are buying the goods for, there is an implied condition that they are reasonably fit for that purpose, unless the circumstances show you did not rely, or it was unreasonable for you to rely, on the seller's skill or judgment.
Unfair practices
It is an unfair practice for a supplier, in a consumer transaction, to do or say anything, or leave anything out, if as a result a consumer might reasonably be deceived or misled, or to make a false claim.
Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act s 4
A consumer who has entered a consumer transaction involving an unfair practice may bring an action against the supplier in a court. The right does not apply to a claim of more than the prescribed limit, which is $30,000 or another amount the Minister prescribes by order in the Gazette.
Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act s 6(1), (2), (6)
If your claim is for more than the limit, you may abandon the excess. You then cannot recover more than the limit in that action.
Where to bring the claim
A small claims tribunal can hear an action under section 6(1) of the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act about an unfair practice involving a relevant contract, and any action about a deposit paid for, or in contemplation of, a motor vehicle sale contract. A contract for the sale of immovable property is not a relevant contract.
Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act s 7(1), (2)
Subject to the rest of the section, a court other than a small claims tribunal that finds a supplier engaged in an unfair practice may, among other relief, order restitution of any money, property or other consideration you gave, award you damages for loss or damage suffered as a result of the unfair practice, order the supplier to repair the goods or provide parts, or vary the contract.
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