I'm not claiming it's a manufacturer's warranty. It's a statutory right. You don't make a claim by going straight to the court, you have to deal with the seller first. Of course most places like PC World will fight teeth and nail against it compared to the likes of Apple and John Lewis.
The vast majority of cases under this directive and SOGA never make it to court because the Judge will always rule in favour of the consumer where its pretty obvious the device was caused by defect not accidental damage. It's very easy to show that a device is defective within a two year period. If Apple, or any retailer is to claim that a device breaking within a two year period for an iPhone or Macintosh is reasonable they would be laughed away, which is why its in their best interest to not take it further than a repair.
Fundamentally, the retailer and reseller has obligations beyond a one year manufacturer's warranty. They are not choosing to do you a favour where you need to invoke SOGA. They are obligated to do so, whether that comes from a judge in the county court, or from the genius authorising it himself.
You absolutely do not need to take this to a small claims first, good retailers will do it no questions asked, the bad retailers will do after a letter or email addressed to head office, it's very rare that cases like iPhones or technological equipment, more so under two years, go into the small claims court. That is the very last resort when using SOGA. Neither party wants to take a SOGA claim to court.
