Buyer complaining item is faulty over 30 days after receiving?

[noctilucence]

Buyer messaged me complaining that item is faulty 32 days after signed delivery date. Not sure whether or not to respond...and if yes, what with? Can they open a case against me? I already know how eBay is, and that they would side with the buyer. (Very rare that they don't...) I've also heard they can open a PayPal case after 180 days??

I'm a small seller and as of recently I've incurred a fair few losses due to buyers claiming item not recieved and I just refund or replace with no hassle. This is a more expensive item I am reluctant to take a loss on...or I'd be breaking even at this point.

Thanks in advance.

Edited to add: Item was a used item.

[red_magpie]

Buyers are guaranteed a refund for almost any reason by eBay (eBay doesn't even see the item, and accepts the buyer's word), but only for exactly 30 days from the latest estimated or actual date of delivery. After that they have no involvement.

PayPal's buyer protection period is longer at 180 days, but still only covers the condition of the item on delivery. It is explicitly not a warranty. For example, it might cover an item discovered to be counterfeit even months after purchase, but is unlikely to cover an item that becomes faulty in use, even after a matter of days. PayPal recently tirned down a "not as described" dispute for this reason.