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Original poster

Washing machines only lasting 4 years

152 replies

DK123 · 22/02/2021 16:10

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!

OP posts:
PlanDeRaccordement · 22/02/2021 17:47

Do you clean it? I use a limescale remover every few months in mine. If I did not, I’m sure it would break after four years....

Blublubblubbing · 22/02/2021 17:48

My bosch machine died last year after only 18 months! The bearings had gone already. It was condemned and I've replaced with a Haier. Bosch man said they don't make them like they used to but he was shocked that it went so quickly. Our previous Bosch lasted 11 years. We had one in between that only lasted 2 years and that was Indesit. I agree with OP they aren't built to last as the companies want to make money from them needing to be replaced

NumberThirtySix · 22/02/2021 18:02

I've had 3 in the last 4 years. It's a nightmare. I do buy fairly cheap models and use them a lot but, even so, I'd expect them to last longer. The last one, the catch broke and we had to bust out my sons PE kit with an axe to avoid detention.

Original poster
DK123 · 22/02/2021 18:15

Thank you everyone for replying! I apologise in advance to anyone who's washing machine promptly breaks down now they've praised it!

I was just on a zoom call with my boss - can you believe it - another washing machine needs to be replaced in a house and he's asking why and thinks I must be ordering rubbish ones for people.

I don't find this seems to happen as much when it's people's own machines but I don't understand how when it's tenants, it's possible for a person to use a washing machine that differently to anyone else. Other than using it a log more often and possibly putting rocks in it, how do you wreck one?

OP posts:
inappropriateraspberry · 22/02/2021 18:22

My mother only replaced her machine a few years ago, and it was older than me! (I'm 39 😆)

rosiejaune · 22/02/2021 18:28

One of the main reasons is that even if the other parts are repairable, most outer drums (tubs) are made of welded plastic now, so if any part inside that goes, you have to replace the whole thing, which is not cost-effective compared to buying a new machine, so they just get scrapped.

Also, the spider between the drum and tub is usually made of aluminium, which can degrade, especially if not treated right (which most people don't know about).

I have recently bought a Miele; almost all of theirs (except the cheapest 2 models I think) have a stainless steel tub and cast iron spider, so it should last a lot longer.

There is new EU legislation about longer guarantees on white goods, and making them more repairable, but whether we will end up benefiting from that or not, who knows...

BarbaraofSeville · 22/02/2021 18:44

@rwalker

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.
True, our first washing machine cost about £400 in 1995, second one about£260 in 2006 and just paid about £380 for last one in 2019. All mid range brands.
SimonJT · 22/02/2021 19:22

I have a miele, its second hand, I’ve had it six years and before that it had been in a rental flat for a few years.

It works brilliantly and hasn’t needed any repairs.

emeraldcity2000 · 22/02/2021 19:26

I have a Bosch washer dryer. It's crap. 3 years in and on it's 3rd repair THIS YEAR. The repair costs are now more than the machine (Which was over £1k for an integrated machine). Thank god for John Lewis added care.
We're about to do our kitchen and have space for a separate washing machine and tumble dryer. I'm so happy about this. Probably will invest in the Miele given the responses on this thread!

RampantIvy · 22/02/2021 19:29

Washer dryers don't have the best reputation. If you have room it is better to have a washer and a separate dryer.

LApprentiSorcier · 22/02/2021 19:31

I don't want to jinx it but I've had mine since 2014. It was one model digit away from those that were recalled en masse a couple of years ago as a fire hazard!

MissMarpleDarling · 22/02/2021 19:33

They do it on purpose so you have to buy a new one more often. The old models last the longest.

Ch3rish · 22/02/2021 19:33

I'd expect a washer to last more than 4 years but as a repair man pointed out to me recently, and I know this is obvious, it doesnt matter how old it is it depends on how many washes you've done

Like with cars, you can't compare a 3 year car that's done 100000 miles with a 15 year old one that's only done 20000

Most times they break because of use not because they are old.

Parky04 · 22/02/2021 19:36

I only spend £200 on a washing machine and it usually lasts 5 years. Pretty good value really.

Original poster
DK123 · 22/02/2021 19:48

I think I'd get a Miele one for myself as I'm very careful with machines - I don't overload, I regularly clean them and I let them dry off properly so they don't get mouldy.

There's no way my boss would sign off on putting them in houses with tenants though. I do wonder if there seem to be so many needing replacing because people aren't taking good care of them. I don't know how many extra loads a week they could be putting though because I did a lot of washing in my machine where I lived before for decades and didn't have any problems with it.

Other than over using them I'm not too sure what else you could do to kill them off so quickly!

OP posts:
MRex · 22/02/2021 19:58

@DK123 - overloading a machine is probably the main cause of wrecking them, though cheap powder will be harsher for the machine than liquid.
It's tricky with the electrical guarantee because misuse is a fairly easy claim by manufacturers, especially where tenants are involved. If it's electricals that go wrong rather than the drum / filter though then it could be worth making a warranty claim. Details are here: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/claim-using-a-warranty-or-guarantee/.
English law gives you 6 years from purchase to make a claim under warranty from whoever you bought the product. You'll need your proof of purchase and the retailer will probably divert you to the manufacturer, who will they manage the repair or get the retailer to issue you a replacement. Unfortunately the equivalent EU law is only 2 years, so if you directly imported from an EU company then you may have less time, but I guess very few people do that with washing machines.

chocolateorangeinhaler · 22/02/2021 20:33

You need to buy a Miele washing machine. Had mine 10 years. Still as quiet and clean looking as it was when new and the drum bearings can be replaced if needed. That job on a cheap machine would write it off.

GinJeanie · 22/02/2021 20:40

We've got a 19 year-old Bosch. Really basic - no digital display or fancy bits. DH has fixed it a couple of times by buying parts on EBay but that wasn't too complicated. I'll be devastated when it carks as its older than my children 🙂

Lunariagal · 22/02/2021 20:50

Our miele is 16 years old.
My in laws have recently replaced a 25 year old one

Iwantacookie · 22/02/2021 20:53

My washers normally last around 4/5 years considering I dont pay more than £300 for one I happy with that.
No point paying more if they dont last. Tbh ide pay more for one if it just had 2 buttons to pick temperature and spin speed. Rather than my current one which resembles a NASA launch pad.

Southwest12 · 22/02/2021 20:54

Mine needed a new circuit board last year, was only just over four years old and they don't make them anymore, so no way to fix the machine. I did think it was pretty rubbish that a part was obsolete so quickly.

Hankunamatata · 22/02/2021 20:55

I always buy one with 5 year guarantee. Then save up over that time for a new one just incase

Yolanda524 · 22/02/2021 20:56

Mine is just over 1 year old and I have someone coming to look at it this week as it’s making strange sounds.

Gubanc · 22/02/2021 21:04

@DK123

I think I'd get a Miele one for myself as I'm very careful with machines - I don't overload, I regularly clean them and I let them dry off properly so they don't get mouldy.

There's no way my boss would sign off on putting them in houses with tenants though. I do wonder if there seem to be so many needing replacing because people aren't taking good care of them. I don't know how many extra loads a week they could be putting though because I did a lot of washing in my machine where I lived before for decades and didn't have any problems with it.

Other than over using them I'm not too sure what else you could do to kill them off so quickly!

This is exactly what a repairman told me when there was a problem with the machine in our rented place. People overload them and don't treat them with respect. We don't overload the crap Indesit and it doesn't clean even at 90C. I hate it.
aiskabash · 22/02/2021 21:06

I have a Bosch washing machine bought when my daughter was born in 2001! I am willing it to stop working as I quite fancy one with a countdown timer.

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