Washer/dryer lifetime? how many loads a week?

[StealthToddler]

Maybe this should be in AIBU, but surely a washer/dryer shouldn't need to be fixed about 10 times in 6 years? I've had the brushes replaced several times, the PC board replaced, various bolts etc.....

I have 3 DS's (age 4 and under) so I do a lot more washing than I did when it was bought. It is a good make and supposed to be "reliable" - its a NEFF.

Just had it fixed, again (took a week to get fixed and meanwhile the laundry PILES up as 2 DS's sick and one decided to regress on potty training so was getting pretty desperate!!).

Repair man commented that if you do more tha 3 washes per week its not going to last very long!

What happened to your washing machine lasting 15 years + like my mum and dads always did? I resented the repair mans comment that its not worth fixing (in the end it was £20) as it is such a throw away attitude!

How often do you use yours?

I only have one DC at the mo but am doing about 7 washes a week. I don't tumble dry everything. I got my machine last year and had to call the repair man once (under warranty though) who advised me to take the extension of warranty offer based on my usage.

I have two smallies and we wash 3-4 times a week I'd say. It's a smasung washer dryer, only have it 7m but so far so good.

Before this I had a zanussi dryer which looking back was pretty useless, and a candy washing machine, the zanussi was still fine and I sold it when I got the washer dryer. The washing machine had kicked the bucket but I had managed to get about 8-9y out of it. Had it fixed maybe three times. Fixes tend to be pricy here (Ireland), cost tends to be ?60 - ?120. So when it keeled over a fourth time I decided to dump it.

My mum still has her hoover washing machine after about 20y! Works fine too!

I think the manufacturers have deliberately reduced quality to ensure a good turnover (for them) of machines.

Blimey I do at least 3 washes a week and it's only me and DH.

combined washer/dryers are awful - I had a hotpoint on that was repaired 30 times in 36 months - in the end they paid me the money for it and I replaced it with separates - my washer is a siemens, 13 years old and has been repaired once. I do 15-20 loads a week. Dryer is a fullsize condensor dryer and about 6 years old, and has rarely needed anything doing with it.

I have a Miele washing machine because they are supposed to be built to last 20 years. My mum has one too, which she's had (without a single repair - sorry if I've cursed you now mum) since I was 16 (I'm now 32). We also have one installed in the rental house we own and it has withstood 3 sets of tenants and 8 years of use so far... (cursed myself too now! )

BUT I have a Miele tumble dryer and it's a piece of shite . It's had the thermostat replaced FIVE times in the last 8 years, despite having spent 4 of those 8 years in storage. It really is crapola, and what's more Miele customer service has been rubbish.

So.... I would say get separate ones as combining 2 different machines is bound to make it go wrong twice as often! Isn't it?

Our washer/dryer is 8 years old this year. We use it about 6 times a week.

We have had it repaired twice in the first 4 years - a wire kept coming loose and resulted in the dryer not heating up, so it was running with cold air. DH fixed it himself and it's been fine for the last 4 years and doesn't show any signs of being knackered. It's either a Hoover or a Hotpoint - can't remember which, only that it begins with H!

I bought my AEG after reading reviews on Which? Apart from going wrong once, it has been pretty good so far. And to be fair the repairman was rather surprised to be called in as he said "we don't normally have problems with those"

I have a hoover washer drier and it had to be fixed 3 times within a couple of years (wire disconnected from the drier bit twice so wasnt drying clothes and the belt came off - glad I took out the Care Policy as it first stopped working just after the guarantee ran out!). Since then it has worked fine - I do at least one wash per day and sometimes 2 or 3 so it gets plenty of use.