My EICR Failed Because of a Broken Socket – What It Means and How to Fix It (London EICR Electricians Guide)

EICR Certificate

20 October 2025

EICR Faults & Failures

Failed Because of a Broken Socket: What Now?

When your Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) comes back as “unsatisfactory” with the note “C2 – Broken Socket”, it’s easy to worry. But don’t panic this is one of the most common and easiest faults to fix in London homes and rental properties.

A broken or cracked socket might not seem serious, but under BS7671 wiring regulations, it’s considered a potentially dangerous condition. That means your property is not legally compliant until the issue is corrected and a satisfactory EICR certificate is reissued.

In this guide, our NICEIC-approved London electricians explain:

Why a broken socket causes your EICR to fail
What a C2 code actually means
How to fix it properly and safely
Typical costs for remedial repairs
How to book a re-test and pass your EICR
And how to avoid similar issues in the future

Let’s make sense of it and get you back to compliance.

🧾 What Does “C2 – Broken Socket” Mean on an EICR Report?

Every EICR inspection includes visual checks and live testing of sockets across your property. If your electrician finds cracks, burn marks, or loosened terminals, they’ll issue a C2 fault code:

C2 – Potentially Dangerous – Urgent Remedial Action Required

This means there’s a risk of electric shock or fire if the socket remains in use.

A broken socket will therefore cause your EICR to fail, and you’ll need a qualified electrician to repair or replace it before your certificate can be marked “satisfactory.”

👉 Learn more about EICR Codes and Their Meanings — a detailed guide on interpreting each fault category (C1, C2, FI, etc.).

🔍 Why Broken Sockets Are Classified as Dangerous

Even small cracks or chips in socket faceplates can expose live conductors, letting dust or moisture reach electrical terminals. Over time, that can lead to:

🔥 Overheating and arcing
⚡ Electric shocks if touched
💨 Melted plastic or burn marks
🧯 Increased fire risk in older circuits

These are precisely the kinds of issues that EICR inspections are designed to catch early.

If your property also failed due to missing bonding, non-IP rated lights, or no RCD protection, you might want to check our related posts:

💡 Common Causes of Broken Sockets Found During EICRs

London properties often have sockets that are decades old. Here are the most common causes our electricians find during EICR inspections across London:

Furniture pressure or impact cracking faceplates
DIY replacements using cheap plastic parts
Heat damage from overloading heaters or dryers
Loose terminals or cable strain inside the back box
Water ingress near kitchens or bathrooms
Normal wear and tear in rental properties

If you’re a landlord, remember: under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020), you must have EICR remedial work completed within 28 days of receiving an unsatisfactory report.

See our page on EICR Certificates for Landlords in London for full legal guidance.

🔧 How Our Electricians Fix a Broken Socket After an EICR Fail

Once we’ve identified the faulty outlet, we follow a simple but thorough repair process:

Isolate the circuit safely at your consumer unit.
Remove and inspect the broken faceplate and internal terminals.
Check polarity, continuity, and insulation resistance.
Replace the socket with a high-quality MK or Schneider unit.
Re-test the circuit to confirm compliance.
Update your EICR report or issue a Minor Works Certificate.

👉 Learn more about what happens next on our EICR Remedial Work for Failed Certificates

💰 Typical Cost: £45–£75 per socket, including testing and documentation.

If multiple sockets are damaged, or if we find signs of overheating, we may recommend an RCD upgrade or consumer unit replacement, which you can explore here:

👉 EICR Certificate Cost in London – Full Breakdown.

🏠 Can You Still Use or Rent the Property After a C2 Fault?

No. A C2 fault means your installation is potentially dangerous.
You should not use or rent out the property until repairs are complete and a satisfactory EICR is issued.

Letting agents and insurers often require valid certificates without one, your insurance policy may be void.

For landlords, check our guide on EICR Certificate for Landlords in London for compliance details and re-inspection timelines.

🧮 How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Broken Socket in London?

Fault Type	Description	Typical Cost (2025)
Cracked or burnt faceplate	Replace socket & test	£45–£75
Damaged back box	Replace & rewire	£80–£120
Loose terminal wiring	Repair connection & re-test	£60–£90
Circuit overheating	RCD upgrade or fuseboard repair	£150–£300
Multiple socket repairs	3+ outlets	£120–£200 total

For an instant estimate, try our EICR Price Calculator or book directly online.

🧾 What Happens After the Repair?

After repairs, our team issues:

A Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate
An updated or new EICR report marked “Satisfactory”
Photos and documentation for landlord or letting agent records

You’ll then be fully compliant with UK electrical safety regulations and ready to rent or sell your property again.

🔌 What If You Have Other EICR Failures Too?

If your report listed additional faults like:

Missing supplementary bonding in bathrooms
No RCD protection for sockets
Non-IP-rated lighting near water
Or exposed cables near the consumer unit

🧠 Why Choose Our Electricians in London?

✅ Fully NICEIC / NAPIT approved
✅ Over 2,000 successful EICR inspections
✅ Fast same-day remedial work and re-testing
✅ Transparent pricing and digital certificates
✅ Coverage across all areas — Central London, North London, East London, South London, and West London.

Need help fast?
👉 Book Your EICR Remedial Work Online and one of our certified electricians can visit the same day.

🧩 Preventing Future EICR Failures

Once your property passes inspection, stay compliant by:

Scheduling routine electrical maintenance
Avoiding overloaded extension leads
Checking sockets for heat or discoloration
Booking a full EICR test every 5 years (landlords) or every 10 years (homeowners)

We also offer EICR Certificates for Homeowners and portfolio services for agents managing multiple sites.

🧭 Areas We Cover

Our electricians provide EICR testing, repairs, and certification in all London postcodes including:
Chelsea, Kensington, Battersea, Clapham, Fulham, Notting Hill, Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, Hampstead, Islington, City of London, and beyond.

Find your area here: Areas We Cover.

🧠 FAQs – Fixing a Broken Socket After a Failed EICR in London

1️⃣ Why did my EICR fail because of a broken socket?

A cracked or damaged socket exposes live electrical parts and increases the risk of electric shock or fire. Under BS7671 wiring regulations, this is classed as a C2 “potentially dangerous” fault, which means your EICR automatically fails until the problem is repaired and re-tested by a qualified electrician.

2️⃣ What does “C2 – Broken Socket” mean on my EICR report?

It means the socket is unsafe or deteriorated and requires urgent remedial work. It’s not an immediate life-threatening issue (like a C1), but it must be fixed before your EICR can be marked “satisfactory.”

3️⃣ Can I still use the socket if it failed the EICR?

No. If a socket is listed as “C2,” you shouldn’t use it. Using a damaged socket risks overheating, arcing, or electric shock. Book a same-day repair with our EICR remedial electricians in London to make it safe and compliant.

4️⃣ How much does it cost to fix a broken socket in London?

On average, between £45–£75 per socket, including parts, testing, and documentation. For a custom quote, try our EICR Certificate Cost Calculator or visit our EICR Certificate Cost guide.

5️⃣ Do I need a new EICR after fixing a broken socket?

Usually not. Once repaired, your electrician can issue a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate or mark your original EICR as “satisfactory” after re-testing. Learn more on our EICR Services page .

6️⃣ Can I repair a broken socket myself?

No. DIY electrical repairs are not permitted under Part P building regulations. Always use a qualified NICEIC or NAPIT-approved electrician to ensure the repair passes future EICR inspections.

7️⃣ Will one broken socket make my whole EICR fail?

Yes. Even one C2 fault makes your entire report “unsatisfactory.” After repairs, the electrician re-tests and updates the certificate to compliant status. See our How to Read an EICR Report guide to understand all codes.

8️⃣ How long does it take to replace a broken socket?

Usually 30–60 minutes per socket, depending on wall type and cable condition. Our team offers same-day EICR remedial work anywhere in London book directly on our Book Online page.

9️⃣ Can a broken socket trigger other EICR failures?

Yes. Loose or burnt wiring inside the socket can cause high resistance readings or trip the RCD during testing. Fixing the fault early prevents further EICR issues and protects the entire circuit.

🔟 How can I avoid broken sockets and EICR failures in the future?

Use high-quality sockets and accessories Avoid overloading outlets with adaptors Check for cracks, heat marks, or discoloration Book regular EICR inspections in London Keep furniture clear from outlets to prevent damage Landlords: schedule checks every 5 years (homeowners every 10 years) For full safety advice, read our EICR Certificates for Homeowners in London guide.

Please Submit Details Below

For your convenience, you can also fill out our online contact form below. Please provide as much detail as possible, and a member of our team will get back to you promptly.

Tags :

EICR Certificates,EICR Inspection

24/7 Emergency Service

Find answers to common questions about EICR certificates and electrical safety inspections in London. Visit our FAQ page on EICRcertificates.com for more information.