HP EliteBook 850 G7 hinge failure – Warranty dispute with Verkkokauppa

[yulia]

Hei kaikille,


I am writing in English to be as precise as possible with the technical details. I’m seeking a second opinion/expert advice regarding a warranty dispute with Verkkokauppa.com.


The Case:


7 months ago, I purchased a refurbished HP EliteBook 850 G7 (A+ Grade). Two days ago, while opening the lid normally, the left hinge area popped out. A threaded brass insert and small plastic bits fell out from inside the chassis.


Current Situation:


I took it to Verkkokauppa’s service, but they rejected the warranty claim almost immediately (the next day), simply stating it’s "not a warranty case" without any detailed technical explanation or proof of misuse.


The Evidence (see attached photos):

• Zero external impact: The plastic chassis is in pristine condition. There are no dents, no scratches on the corners, and no signs of the laptop being dropped.
• Internal failure: It appears the internal plastic standoff (mounting post) that holds the hinge screw failed due to material fatigue or an overly stiff hinge mechanism.
• Model: This is a business-grade laptop designed for durability. Such a failure within 7 months of normal use feels like a structural defect (virhe).

My questions to the community:

1. Is this a known weak point for the EliteBook 850 G7 or similar HP models?
2. Since there is no external damage, shouldn't this be covered under Virhevastuu (seller's liability) according to Finnish consumer law?
3. Has anyone successfully challenged Verkkokauppa in a similar "mechanical" case?

I would appreciate any technical insights or advice on how to handle this during my visit to the store tomorrow.


Kiitos avusta!

 

[Seppo77]

Even though this is a refurbished device under Finnish law the seller bears liability (virhevastuu) if the product does not last as long as can be reasonably expected. The expected lifespan of a business grade HP EliteBook is significantly longer than seven months. Since the device was purchased less than a year ago the defect is presumed to have existed at the time of purchase unless the seller can prove otherwise (e.g. clear evidence of being dropped). A simple statement that it is "not covered by warranty" is generally not sufficient to overturn this presumption because there are no external impact damages on the chassis and the failure appears to have occurred at an internal mounting point i request a more detailed technical explanation as to why this is not considered a structural defect or a case covered under seller liability.