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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think a washing machine should last more than three years?

99 replies

TeddyBee · 26/02/2018 23:56

Our washing machine has tripped all the electrics so is presumably stuffed. It’s frankly been shit anyway (ate socks regularly requiring messy filter clearance and no drain hose so flooded the utility every time), but I’m pretty certain that something will be catastrophically wrong with the motherfucker since I can’t even plug it in without throwing the master fuse. It’s three years, just, since I bought it. It was £400. The last one made it to 3.5 years and cost £300. Stupidly I thought I would pay a bit more to get a better machine. Should I just buy the £200 one now and treat them as disposable?

OP posts:
gamerchick · 26/02/2018 23:58

It’s about right imo. I’ve had cheap reconditioned ones and ones that cost 500 and songs and they last the same amount of time.

I went to AO in the end and got the insurance. When it breaks, they sort it.

gamerchick · 26/02/2018 23:58

*sings

Original poster
TeddyBee · 27/02/2018 00:02

It came from AO but the insurance was really expensive from what I remember - basically feels like they’re hustling you for another 50% just so that the product you buy keeps working longer than 2 years...

OP posts:
gamerchick · 27/02/2018 00:15

Ours is only 5 quid odd a month. Pretty standard for insurance and when it comes to washing machines I’d rather not have the hassle of it breaking down.

My telly has its own insurance for a little less.

SadieHH · 27/02/2018 00:19

I’ve found that everything has a life span of about 4/5 year max - washing machine, fridge and dishwasher have all needed replacing about that often and they don’t get out of the ordinary useage. Our microwave has just almost caught fire and it’s only about 18 months old, we’ve had about 5 of those. I don’t know what we’re doing to them Hmm

youngerself · 27/02/2018 00:34

YANBU
current Bosch 8 years and no problems
Struggling to recall 2 previous ones (inc a washer/dryer) and so only 3 washers in 26 years

gamerchick · 27/02/2018 00:35

Fatal words that yanno younger Grin

Pemba · 27/02/2018 04:59

We've also only had 3 washing machines in about 27 years. But then it only goes on about 3 times a week, I know a lot of people do a lot more loads. First one lasted about 12 years and that covered the time the dcs were little too! Not a posh brand like Miele or Bosch either.

isthistoonosy · 27/02/2018 05:09

We just got the cheapest from.the local electrical good shop (not in the uk) and have had the washer, dryer, fridge, freezer all for 14 yrs with no repairs. Microwave is from the late 80s/ early 90s according to the person who gave it to us.

Do you maintain them (as per the manual) and deal with issues as they arise or just let them gradually break down?

Have just repaired mil very old washer for €40 - took 10 min for me to fit the new part. Its worth trying to find the problem if the machine is beyond use anyway.

HuskyMcClusky · 27/02/2018 05:36

YANBU. That’s really crap! Such a waste of resources, adds to landfill, etc. Angry

I’ve had mine 10+ years and going strong. The motor alone has a 10 year manufacturer’s warranty. It’s nothing particularly posh, although it was pricey at the time (it’s an LG).

Angrybird345 · 27/02/2018 05:41

What brand is it? If hotpoint or indesit type then no, it won’t last.

drinkswineoutofamug · 27/02/2018 06:02

Got an indesit. It has more spare parts than Frankenstein's monster. Had it years, when it breaks find the problem, order the part off eBay and fix it with the help of youtube. I've also kept my 10 yo creda tumbledryer alive this way.

Youngmystery · 27/02/2018 06:15

That doesn't seem long enough to be honest. Ours has lasted a lot longer than that, and the one before lasted way longer.

showgirl · 27/02/2018 06:20

We have had many issues with washing machines. We bought the Samsung eco bubble this time as it came with a 5 year guarantee as standard.

Raver84 · 27/02/2018 06:21

I had a bosch for 6 years that cost 500. It was fab. Try john lewis they often do good extended warranties

malmi · 27/02/2018 06:23

No drain hose? So it just pumps the dirty water straight out the back onto the floor and then sits in a pool of water until it drains away? That can't be good for it.

VanGoghsLeftEar · 27/02/2018 06:25

We've had our Indesit for about 4 years. We don't have insurance on it but we put some money aside for rainy days.

My gran had her washing machine for 20 years before she passed away in the early 90s. Those days are long behind us

BarbaraofSevillle · 27/02/2018 06:28

We're currently on a 12 YO zanussi and we left our previous 10 YO Bendix still working in our first house. Neither required any repairs but are only used about 4 times a week and we have very soft water, which is probably relevant.

BarbaraofSevillle · 27/02/2018 06:30

I've never seen a drain hose. I just use newspapers and baking trays to catch drips but will look out for this feature when the current one pops it's clogs.

AJPTaylor · 27/02/2018 06:33

I use a machine until it breaks then buy another. 3 kids so on pretty much everyday. The longest i have had one is 8years, shortest 3.5 years. I never spend more than 350. Pretty minimal cost per wash! Currently got a beko.

Moonandstars84 · 27/02/2018 06:36

I killed 2 in 3 years. Including a Bosch.

HuskyMcClusky · 27/02/2018 06:38

I killed 2 in 3 years. Including a Bosch.

How’d you manage that?! Do you do 10 loads a day or something?

MongerTruffle · 27/02/2018 06:41

Why wasn’t there a drain hose?

Moonandstars84 · 27/02/2018 06:43

Just unlucky I guess. First one was rubbish and kept on leaking. 2nd one part went that was uneconomic to repair.
It is used heavily though.

FrancisCrawford · 27/02/2018 06:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.