Washing machines only lasting 4 years

[DK123]

As part of my job, I often have to replace washing machines in people's houses. Looking back through everything, none of them seem to last more than 4 years. That's with different makes and models, different homes, different people using them. I am sure white goods used to last much longer than this. I don't remember my parents ever having to replace any of the white goods when I was growing up!

Now my own washing machine needs replacing and I'm quite annoyed and worried about the long term cost of having to keep replacing them.

Has anyone else noticed the same? Does anyone have any recommendations for brands which do seem to last? I'd be very grateful!

My Zanussi is 17 years old and never needed any repair so far.
It does about 5 loads per week.

Worried I'll jinx it now....

1st washing machine which was a Bendix Electrolux lasted 14 years. 2nd was a AEG which lasted 10 years. Present machine will be 11 years in September also a AEG. Dishwasher in previous house was 19 years when we left and was a Siemens. It was used every day and sometimes twice when entertaining. Washing machine not so much as only the two of us.

My in-laws replaced their Miele last year, after 24 years of loyal service!

Oh OP hope you know that you are going to be held responsible for lots of older machines inexplicably breaking down after many years faithful service just because their owners boasted about their reliability..

I have an Aeg . Mine is now 10 years old and doesnt appear to be wearing out so far.No rattles or changes so far.
It replaced an older eg one which I had bought 2nd hand years before and just didnt like the colour and styling on the front. Big brownish buttons and handles.
I gave it to someone who does washing machines up to resell. I fully expect its still going.

It all relative years ago you paid the eqvivilent of a months wages for a washer and it lasted years now you pays a weeks wages and they last 4-10 years.

My Bosch washer dryer is 10 years old and still working the same as it did when I first bought it. (Which is to say, if you can afford it, get a separate washing machine and dryer rather than a combi as, no matter what the brand, combis are adequate - not great - washing machines and poor dryers.)

We have a 8kg Beko bought for £230, still working well after 5 years.

if you can afford it, get a separate washing machine and dryer rather than a combi as, no matter what the brand, combis are adequate - not great - washing machines and poor dryers.)

Our last rental had a Bosch washer/combi, it dried clothes very well.

I also have a 17 year old Zanussi - working as we speak.

I only do two or three loads a week, which may help towards its longevity.

i have had my AEG for 12 years. Before that I had a Bosch for 13 years and before that a Hotpoint for 7 years

Machines only last about 5 years here regardless of brand (although I haven't tried Miele) including Bosch and Siemens. We live in an area with hard water and that seems to be the culprit.

I have a candy that died at 13mo Wouldn’t recommend.

My AEG is 19 years old, repaired last year with a new motherboard and heater element. Repair man said to keep it going as long as I can as theyre all crap nowadays.

Nearly 9 years for my washing machine. I give it a maintenance wash and chuck white vinegar in it to get rid of the limescale.

Average washing machine lifespan in Uk is down to 8.5 years now with average usage about 15 times a month. My Bosch is almost 20 years old and used a lot more than 15 times a month. The build quality of appliances was better when it was born,it has no sophisticated IT to go wrong or become obsolescent and I am careful how I use it. Miele currently guarantee a few of their more expensive models for 5 years but most of their models are only guaranteed for 2 years. There was scandal a few years ago about how short the lifespan of cheaper washing machines had become. If you're getting 4 years in a rental I think you're doing well,people really do shorten the lifespan in the way they treat the machines. EEC is concerned about the waste of non renewable resources and energy in short life appliances. From this year,manufacturers have to provide some spare parts to professional repairers for at least 10 years and design machines so they are more repairable.

We mainly have bought Bosch. Each lasting more than 10 years and for a while thus was servicing a family of 6 including my DS doing loads of sport so washing, daily, muddy rugby kit to dirty/grass stained cricket kit.

Our John Lewis one is on its 13th year. Have a Siemens machine in a rental property that is 22 and still going strong!

Our 11 year old Bosch is starting to make funny noises but it has survived 7 months of reusable nappies thus far. I would not recommend washing nappies for washer longevity, just in terms of the extra use if nothing else.

I am only on my 2nd machine in 40 years. Both Hoover.

Mine last about five years but we have 4 kids so it has a hard life and used daily. My mum.can get more than ten years out of hers.

I get by by buying the lowest price mid range one and then it's not such a big cost. The element or bearings are the same as the next model up for £100 more.

I have taken to writing the dates on my big purchases with sharpie to see if they do only last five years or it just feels like that. Not least because we cant remember when we bought our bed. From.the feeling it, 100bc

We had a repairman in and he said most washers now last about seven years. Family size and such make a difference of course.

Part of it is how they were built. The part that broke on ours was not made separately, so we would have needed to replace the whole drum, which cost about half the price of a new washer.

I gather that appliances have had inbuilt obsolescence for a long time, but there has also been the "Walmart effect". Big suppliers like Walmart have for some years gone out of their way to look for cheapest prices, and people buy what they find in quantity. Suppliers can't supply the price points they demand without compromising the quality. And because it is competitive, it tends to bring down the whole sector - only a few specialty brands can afford not to compete with the Walmart brands.

We have only owned two washing machines. A Zanussi for 19 years, and which never broke down, and a Bosch which was already in the house we moved into 17 years ago, and is still going strong. We didn't want to swap the washing machines over so got the council to take the Zanussi away, even though there was nothing wrong with it.

My Bosch lasted 16 years in a hard water area - frankly a miracle! Whereas my Mum was going through a Whirlpool every 18 months. I’m hoping my new Samsung lasts as long as the Bosch did, doubt it will though.

Get a Miele. They are indestructible. My mum's had hers since 1993. Ours is 7 years old and has never broken either.

Our Miele is now 11 years old. I bought it as we had a kitchen done in 2009. It has never even had to be repaired and works just as well today as it has ever done. You get what you pay for I guess.