Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

3yr old washing machine, un fixable :( Any recommendations for a replacement?

32 replies

HiccupHaddockHorrendous · 13/10/2014 21:34

My last machine was 17 years old and when it conked out, it was replaced with a mid-range machine.

Just over 3years later and that is now broken Sad.

I only do 2-3loads per week (it's a 9kg machine) and generally only use two different cycles so it doesn't need to be all singing, all dancing.

Any suggestions?

Also, is it worth trying to recoup some money by advertising the broken one for spares?

OP posts:
ChippingInLatteLover · 13/10/2014 21:37

I don't know about advertising it for spares, but if you do ebay anyway, it's worth a shot isn't it?

I have an LG 7kg Direct Drive. I bought it from Boots on line, I've had it 4 years and, touch wood, it still seems fine.

None of them are made how they used to be, but if it's quality you are after then Miele. Bosch are OK, but ONLY the ones made in Germany, they also have a range made 'elsewhere',

ChippingInLatteLover · 13/10/2014 21:37

What did it die of?

unlucky83 · 13/10/2014 21:52

I heard/read something about the lifespan of appliances...basically washing machines are build to last a certain amount of time...they were suggesting that there should be some kind of rating system and manufacturer's should declare the expected no of hours use they should survive.
Also parts that were replaceable are now no longer as eg sealed drums means no access to the bearings if they need replacing. More appliances are seen as disposable.
Hotpoint and Indesit (and Candy? -I think) are the same - just you will pay more for the Hotpoint name on the machine (found this out when I was trying to fix my old hotpoint and the replacement parts were the same for all makes)
A good rule of thumb is if you get a 1600rpm machine all singing and dancing for a couple of hundred it isn't going to last very long - better to get a good make that is more basic for the same amount of money.
I have a Bosch - must be a good few years old now - 4? maybe a bit more. I got it on the recommendation of my washing machine repair guy who I used to see every 6 months as my hotpoint was failing. He said that they were good value for money - also mentioned Zanussi as a slightly cheaper but not terrible alternative.

AskBasil · 13/10/2014 21:55

What make is it? So I can avoid...

ChippingInLatteLover · 13/10/2014 21:57

I bought the Direct Drive partly because of the way it works (less moving parts) and partly because it comes with a 10yr warantee/guarantee, so kind of hoped the general quality might be a bit better.

It was around £400, so if it lasts 4 years (as it has) then that's about £2 per week. Much less hassle than going to the laundrette and a ton cheaper Grin

Gone are the days of appliances lasting 15/20/25 years, but then, gone are the prices that went with those appliances! (Miele will still probably give you 20 years though if you have the money to spend and the reinforced floors!!).

evertonmint · 13/10/2014 23:04

My Zanussi has lasted nearly 7 years so far and (touch wood) the worst that's happened is the door sticking once or twice necessitating an extra spin cycle. I've been very impressed and would buy Zanussi again.

Madmog · 14/10/2014 08:28

Our last Indesit lasted 16 years, so we replaced it with another Indesit which to date we've had four years with no problems. Indesit are priced at the lower end of the market and are made by the same company as Hoover. Maybe they were being polite, but when we had it delivered, the installers said there was no point in paying a lot for a machine as no model will last like our old one did!

PigletJohn · 14/10/2014 09:52

Bosch (and Siemens which jointly owns the company that designs and build them) have a very good reliability record, and generally score well on "Which" tests. The quality of build and parts from any one make is much the same whether you buy an expensive complex one or a less expensive simple one. Although complex machines always have more to go wrong. Bosch and Siemens normally come with a 2-year warranty but you sometimes find a 5-year thrown in free as a "special offer"

It seems to me, looking at JL, that Siemens models more often have special offers.

EarSlaps · 14/10/2014 10:02

We got a Siemens machine with an included five year guarantee after having a rubbish Hoover vacuum and lasted 15 months.

We have had it for over four years now, it washes so much better than the old machine and it's great. I think you had a cashback deal on it as well so wasn't too expensive.

FishWithABicycle · 14/10/2014 10:06

Bosch every time for us. They are so reliable we don't even bother to buy an extended warranty because they go on forever. Don't touch the cheaper brands - you get what you pay for.

mausmaus · 14/10/2014 10:11

siemens are the same as bosch, in fact siemens is phasing out all home appliances.

unlucky83 · 14/10/2014 11:13

Hoover & Indesit aren't the same company! Indesit and Hotpoint are...and just checked -its Creda not Candy...and a few other makes. I had a hotpoint that lasted about 5 yrs- but for the last few I was on first name terms with the repair guy! I wouldn't touch another - that includes indesit...
It's Candy & Hoover ...and a few other makes.
Have a look at espares.co.uk for washing machine parts and you'll see what I'm talking about ...

unlucky83 · 14/10/2014 11:15

And parts available for Bosch, Siemens and Neff...so they are the same company too...

SignoraStronza · 14/10/2014 11:19

I bought my Miele second hand for £90 from a reclaim place in 2009. Five and a half years and three house moves later (that can often kill them off) it is still going strong. If we ever have to replace it, will be another Miele - well worth the initial outlay.

Original poster
HiccupHaddockHorrendous · 14/10/2014 11:43

Thanks for the replies.

Broken machine is an indesit (same as the last one) and some board-or-other has broken. The repair man said he could replace it for £150 but they don't cover that part with any guarantee because the is a strong chance it could go again at any time.

He also recommended Bosch.

I wonder if it's worth looking for a secondhand older machine? Or too much of a false economy?

Will have a look online later.

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 14/10/2014 12:12

it's unusual (but not unknown) for people to get rid of a machine that is working perfectly.

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 14/10/2014 12:18

Sometimes people move to a house that's got integrated appliances, or inherit one. There can be a genuine reason for sale.

My thirteen year old Zanussi has just died. The bearings had been noisy for ages and then it just gave up the ghost. We've replaced it with a mid range Zanussi and if I get another thirteen years I'll be pleased.

cheerupandhaveaglassofwine · 14/10/2014 12:19

LG for us, had sterling service from the first, thought it had started leaking after 7 years so went and bought another only to find when fitting it that it was a pipe fitting and not the washer, so now have a spare in the garage for dirty overalls and the stuff that is too grafted to want to put in the new machine

3boys3dogshelp · 14/10/2014 12:20

We were given a miele washing machine by a relative when she moved house. I don't normally buy expensive appliances but am a total convert! We got it a couple of years old and have had it 8 years. It is hammered in this house! I wash at least onceoften twice daily and it's never missed a beat.

TheFantasticFixit · 14/10/2014 12:26

Oh god, avoid Hotpoint like the plague. Worst bastard thing i've ever bought. We've had it 7 months, do 2-3 washes a week in it and have just had the repair guy out to fix it for the fucking fourth time. I hate it!

springalong · 14/10/2014 12:32

My zanussi went after 17 years and I was persuaded by reviews to buy a Miele. Just don't. Very disappointed, wash no better than old machines, unexplained holes in clothes, very difficult about coming out to even look, final advice from them - use more water. I am just starting the joyful task of checking out my water usage as I strongly believe I am now using more water with the new machine, not less.

ErnesttheBavarian · 14/10/2014 13:54

I got a Miele. I do at least 1 wash a day. Days like today I do maybe 6 loads back to back. (the joys) It is now about 5 years old and I've never had a problem with it. I got a basic one. It's great.

WelshWereRabbit · 14/10/2014 14:02

I have a Samsung, bought on the recommendation of the repair man who came out when my old machine died. Was not that expensive and have had it for nearly 5 years with no problems.

Missingsleepandthecat · 14/10/2014 16:32

Madmog, Indesit are the same as Hotpoint, Hoover and Candy are totally separate.
DS2 is an appliance enthusiast and has his own machine (Which I don't mind about purely because if mine goes I can borrow it and he does his own washing and it keeps him out of trouble), he swears by Zanussi, LG, Bosch, Samsung and Beko, we have a Miele machine and its about 2 years old, its been really good, so much so that DM bought one as well :)

jackydanny · 14/10/2014 16:35

Just replaced my unreliable ( broken every year since purchase) indesit with a twice the price Bosch.
It's seems so effective and quiet in comparison, the clothes even look/feel different after laundering.