Ooh, can I ask the same question please, rather than starting my own as I also need help with this. My AEG which I've had for only 2 years has stopped sucking anything up, not even crumbs and hair, and it cuts off every 5 minutes as it overheats, it didn't used to do that. My DP thinks it's buggered cos I use it in the kitchen for food, but I get the big bits of food up first so nothing too big. I want one where you can easily pull out the hose attachment to get in the corners. No pets, just girls who eat biscuits.