Latent Defect

Latent defect. A defect which could not previously to an accident have been avoided by care or discovered by reasonable examination. A carrier of passengers is not liable for injury to them arising from a latent defect in his coach, Redhead v. Midland Ry. Co., (1869) LR 4 QB 379. Upon sale of goods, the seller will be answerable for a latent defect if the buyer expressly or by implication makes known to the seller the particular purpose for which the goods are required so as to show that the buyer relies on the seller's skill or judgment (Sale of Goods Act, 1893 (56 & 57 Vict. c. 71), s. 14. See Frost v. Aylesbury Dairy Co., (1905) 1 KB 608.