Washing machine advice,please

[VerySmallSqueak]

My washing machine finally gave up the ghost yesterday.
Obviously I need to replace it quickly but I will need to get a secondhand one.
Has anyone got any pointers as to what I should look out for so I get something halfway decent - are there any indicators of imminent problems,for example? And any recommendations or warnings?

I'd be grateful for any words of wisdom!

I am selling a washing machine? I am moving to the US soon and need to get rid of it. Message me.

get a Bosch if you can

To get an idea of local prices (nobody wants to pay delivery charges) have a look on fleabay. put in your postcode and search "within 10 miles" or whatever.

I notice that nice ones of a good brand can fetch over a hundred, but others go for 99p. An unreliable brand or faulty machine is worthless.

You will find it difficult to get anyone to deliver it unless you have a strong chum with a van.

WMs are very heavy and two men will find it hard work to lift one in and out of a car. I would not attempt it on my own.

Some local (small independent) dealers might sell on the ones they have taken in for disposal

You can also join your local freegle.

I have been refitting my kitchen recently, and sold the fridge and freezer for £10 each, on the Tesco noticeboard, but had to give away the dishwasher, washer and cooker on freegle, probably because they are so heavy.

Thank you mum.
Bearing in mind what Piglet has said though,I reckon I probably will stop looking on e-bay,or from private sellers and try out a local place that sells refurbed white goods and also delivers.It is the whole getting it from a to b business which is so problematic.

So you reckon a Bosch would be a good 'un Piglet?

My last machine was a Indesit - the bearings went on that finally.This one has been a Hotpoint - I've been really impressed with it as it wasn't expensive,but I could hear that there has been a problem with the bearings going for a long time now. I'm hoping to get a machine where this doesn't seem to be a weakness this time.Is there anything I can check to test if the bearings are going?
I ideally want something that has a handwash cycle and a 1400 spin speed,but tbh so long as I can get something quick,cost and reliability are more important than fancy features or looks.

Bosch (and Siemens) are extremely reliable and popular among middle-earners. Miele are probably better but much more fashionable and expensive.

I doubt you will get 1400 spin secondhand.

Get a machine with a large drum, saves such a lot of time and effort when you can fit more in.

Make sure you check out the short wash programes. Mine has a 40C and 60C quick wash option which makes the wash 55mins and 60 mins respectively - and with the full 1400 spin. Use them all the time and clothes seem.no less clean than when i do the 2 hr 40 min full wash.

Mine is a Zanussi 8kg 1400 spin and was about £350 in JL. First time i have deviated from Bosch - similar priced Bosch 1400 spin model had cheap looking knobs in the shop so went for Zanussi - have been v impressed as i my old bosch took 3 hrs!

Make sure you can open the door for when you find that sock 30 sec after the machine goes on too!

What capacity would count as a large drum,do you know timid ?

Sounds worth looking for as I do 7 - 10 loads a week.

Thanks Piglet.I nearly choked when I saw the prices of Miele new!

I'm hoping (desperately) to get something for around £100 hopefully less - maybe wishful thinking for a refurbished machine.

Sorry didnt twig the second hand thing. Can you call round the electical charity shops tomorrow ( british heart foundation and the like). Safest option i reckon as i think they pat test the goods before they sell them on.

Oh I have been eyeing up a Zanussi upinthehills.

I have to say that a short wash cycle would be a good thing.