How long does washing machine last?

[Daisies123]

I realise this is a bit how long is a piece of string but...

How long would you expect a decent brand washing machine to last and what's your average no. of loads per week?

We think ours is 14 years old (DH bought it before he met me) and is Miele so came with 10 year guarantee, so clearly meant to last a while. It now does 5 or 6 loads a week since having DD (18mo) but before her 3 a week and when it was just DH 2 a week (first four years of its life).

It seems to be leaking from the door so investigating what to do- the seal looks fine. I think it's had much less use than the average washing machine so could be expected to last longer.

[supadupapupascupa]

i think mine get replaced every 5 years on average. they get gunked up. the last one i left an orange covered blanket inside and forgot. it grew white mold and i just couldn't get the smell out.

[Daisies123]

Oops!

I'm trying to remember- I think the one I had when I was single lasted about five years doing 2 or 3 loads per week. But it was a v cheap brand.

I've just put a small load on to see what happens with the door now as we thought this morning's load may have been too humungous for the machine...

[e1y1]

I'd expect a washing machine to last around avg. 5 years now, if a fairly decent brand.

Basic, basic brand - be happy with 2 years.

14 years is good, even for a Miele.

[Daisies123]

Golly, really only two years?!

The second, smaller load went thru fine so it looks like overloading was the issue. Still going to run it with a tea towel under the door for a bit though just in case!

[rabbit123]

My parents got 23 years out of their old washer with only a few minor repairs. It was finally written off after all that time and it had washed for a family of 6.
Since they replaced it about 7 or 8 years ago, they've had 3 different machines in that time. They don't seem to last anymore.
Our Miele is 9 and seems be working just fine

[Puffpaw]

Miele is the best brand if you want one that will last and that you can repair.

[PossomInAPearTree]

I also think the older machines are better quality than the newer ones. Each time I replace the new version lasts a shorter time than its predecessor.

[noenemee]

My Miele has been in this house since the start of 2001, was in the previous house for 6 months and the house before that for 3 years.

It looks like a new machine, has never had any attention and touch wood, is working just as it always has.

[thenightsky]

hoovers, hotpoints etc I've had 4 or 5 years out of.

Splashed out on a Bosch last time which is still going strong 11 years on.

[BarchesterFlowers]

We have a v basic Bosch. I am on my third which is 3 years old, I left home 30 years ago so, 13-14 years which isn't bad for a machine that costs less than £400.

[tissuesosoft]

My parents have had theirs for 20 years and it's still going. Their tumble dryer is
29 years old and never needed repairs! Used for a family of 5 for 21 years

[Cineraria]

Miele machines tend to last a long time. I think that if the only problem is a leak, I'd definitely look into whether it could be repaired and get a quote to compare against the cost of a new machine.

[CowParsleyNettle]

We bought a Miele for this reason, because they last and if they break you can fix them.

My parents Miele is about 20 years old, they're worth every penny in my book.

[Onthehighseas]

My Bosch lasted 14 years. I'd say 8+ years would be good.

[Iamastonished]

Our first washer was a Zanussi and lasted for over 20 years with only needing a new door catch. Our current one is a Bosch and about 14 years old, and has never needed repairing.

Using laundry liquid at low temperature washes gunks them up and shortens the life of them. I only use powder and do a couple of 60 degree washes a week. I use bio powder for lights and whites.

[BackforGood]

The older the machine, the longer it is likely to last / have lasted.
My Mum had hers for 30 odd years - had 4 dc, cloth nappies, and used to wash two full football kits a week (as in, for the whole team, not an individual) for many years.
Buy one now, and you are lucky if it gets to 5 years.

[chickpeaburger]

I know that Miele do last a long time (MIL has one that has lasted 20+ years). Personally I'd rather have a cheaper machine and change it more often. We always buy Bosch and haven't ever had to throw one out (usually left in house when sold house)

[user1492287253]

i spend around 300 on a machine. expect to get 3 years. current is a beko with a 39 min cycle. there are 5 of us so it always seems on

[Rafflesway]

Aren't Miele supposed to last 20 years?

My last machine was AEG and I had it for 14 years. (No repairs but strangely started tearing my clothes). Just replaced with Bosch - as everything else I have is Bosch - and hope to get at least 10 years out of it. I do 4/5 loads per week as only the 2 of us now.

[rabbit123]

My parents had all Hotpoint. Washer, dryer, dishwasher & fridge freezer. It was all cream and brown to match their new kitchen when we moved in 86. They still have the dryer but the washer packed up about 7 years ago. Ish.

When myself & DH first moved in together, I also bought a Hotpoint thinking it would be just as good. BIG mistake. That washer was the biggest pile of rubbish I've ever owned. Broke down constantly and was written off as uneconomic to repair after less than 2 years. Turns out Hotpoint got taken over by Indesit and aren't the Hotpoint my Mum had.

I think that's partly the problem that all these companies that used to be pretty great have all been taken over by bigger companies and quality has dropped as mass production is more profitable.

The same thing happened to Hoover too.

[Lemoncurd]

At our old house we had a Bosch washer dryer for 7 years (before leaving it). We had repairs at least once, often twice a year throughout that period. The pump was replaced quite a few times, as were some of the electronics.
Towards the end the repair work on one visit was priced up at £700 (basically replacing everything inside including the drum). Incredibly the company we had a cover plan with said to go ahead with the work rather than just replacing the machine!! It still went wrong a few times after that.

Have just disposed of a 14 yr old Bosch washer. Again had it repaired a few times under cover plan over the 3 years we'd been using it, but cancelled that last year thinking that if anything went wrong we'd rather have a new one.

[allegretto]

We got given a washing machine as a wedding present 13 years ago and it is just about dying now (at least 6 loads a week). When we got it we gave our old washing machine to my inlaws for their holiday home where it is used a lot less - but it still works at 20 years old.

[Daisies123]

I've been reading about built in obsolescence and how machines now aren't made to last more than a few years. Apart from Miele, apparently.

[AcrossthePond55]

My Maytag washer and dryer are going on 30 years now. We've had to replace two minor components but that's it. I think it's the addition of all the computer chips and fancy shit that makes th newer one break faster. Mine are simply motors, belts, and pumps.

[Iamastonished]

"Personally I'd rather have a cheaper machine and change it more often"

Why?