Sooner or later, it will go "bang"!

Are the bearings going in your machine phoenix ? That was what happened with previous machine in the beechnut household and I let it go on and on for about a year! ?

Here’s hoping your washing machine lasts a bit longer. We are not under the same financial pressures as years gone by. I know that feeling of being thankful for being able to live reasonably comfortably now. Long may it last phoenix ps it sounds like the bearings are worn so although noisy it’s demise might not be imminent.

Thank you both!

Our old washing machine was so noisy for about 18 months before it finally gave up the ghost. Sounded like a jumbo jet taking off, you had to shut doors and go in another room to have a conversation. Then one day, sob!, when I opened the washer door, the clothes were still soaking wet. DH said ‘That’s it, time for a new one’ But it had been a good workhorse for 13 odd years.

I've had the bearings repaired in a machine before.

Everyone said "Oh no! If the bearings have gone thats it" apart from the repair man, who said it was still cheaper than a new machine.

I got another 3 years out of it, so it was worth doing, even though it sounded like someone had emptied my cutlery drawer into the drum.

Calendargirl I think we are in the same situation! Although ours only does the major noise thing when spinning..

Will just have to see how it goes!

When the fridge freezer (bought at the same time, 2005) started playing up in 20014, the place we bought it from said "£80 call out, plus parts of we can fix it, but to be honest, Mrs Phoenix, it's now quite an old appliance"

I'm glad we're not alone! The noise is horrendous but it is still working. Part of me is embarrassed to have it taken out as I dread to think what is lurking in the darkness behind it!!!

My washing machine, a Bosch Maxx, must be almost 20 years old, and still working (almost) perfectly. In all those years, it has been so reliable, never once needing a service visit. Previously, we have never owned a washing machine which has been so trustworthy and reliable.

Now it's rusty and old, and each time it makes a funny noise, I wonder how long it will last and need to be replaced.

These days washing machines are all cold-fill, and I feel would be more expensive to run.

If it goes completely it may pour oil over your washing. Had this happen and it doesn't come out!

Just do not leave it on if you are not in the house. This was a problem we had with our last machine, I put it on and we took the dog out for a walk. When we came back the plug had burnt and blew out our electrics, we were lucky the house hadn't gone on fire.

Some machines seem to work longer than others and it does not always depend on times used. A consumer group has suggested that each machine should be fitted with a meter informing how many times it had been used, (car mileage) so that we could be better informed of durability of a make, the next time we have to choose.

Wow phoenix, you're lucky! They're really only designed to last about five years on average.

phoenix have you checked to make sure there is nothing caught in the filter (you can apparently google how to do it just type in machine type and clean filter). Last time DS did mine it yielded 2 hair grips, a 20p, a couple of screws and some insulating tape (and I thought I always emptied pockets). Might be worth a try.

Keep an eye on cheap offers in the papers and when the sales come round. You should be able to find a reasonably priced replacement.

We opted when we moved in here for a cheap model, energy efficient and water saving from a DIY store instead of buying one of the well-know brands at nearly three times the price.

It is better than any machine I have ever had before, so perhaps you can find a cheap model that is just as good.

I am not going to say how old my machine is as it may hear and decide it's had enough. Whispering quietly it's going very well. Moved house with me 10 years ago and it was 7 then.

Hello again!

Yes, I suppose it has done pretty well, being about 14 years old!

It's actually a combined washer / tumble dryer, Hotpoint.

As mentioned it has had the odd repair, mainly replacing the door catch and the odd switch.

I asked Appliance John what he thought of various models, for when I do have to replace it, and mentioned Miele. He was of the opinion that although they are generally good, replacement parts are very expensive.

Phoenix I well remember the days when the loss of my washing machine was an epic disaster. It was the first Christmas after my husband had left me with two youngsters and a baby (in the days of real terry nappies). I had, literally, no money as the benefits system was very different then and I was pretty clueless about claiming. My wedding and engagement rings had already been sold and I just had no idea how we were going to muddle through.

And then: a brand new washing machine was delivered to my house, paid for by I know not who. The minister from my local church brought me the first of many food parcels and at the bottom was an envelope (again, the first of many) with some cash. A friend from church took my girls shopping to M&S for winter coats and to Clarks for new winter shoes.

It was the best of times and the worst of times, but I have never forgotten how it felt not to have enough money for things that so many people take for granted - and shall forever be grateful to all the people (most of whom remained anonymous) who kept us going with practical gifts as well as compassionate support.

grannyactivist I too have reason to be truly grateful for the kindness of "strangers"

I have never, thank heavens, been in such dire straits as you mentioned, but bringing up five children on one wage meant that money was always tight.
One day there was a knock on the door. Outside stood a neighbour with a box full of meat. She had won a 'trolley-dash' around a local supermarket, and was busy distributing a lot of the spoils to people who needed a helping hand.
I was so grateful, but she said that it was giving her immense pleasure to share her good luck. I have never forgotten her kindness, and we are still friends and neighbours many years later. I try to follow her example, when I can.
Good luck with your machine. I hope that it keeps on working until you can afford another.

It's always something isn't it? I want to replace my dryer because it is too big (one of those 'what was I thinking' purchases) but I can't justifying replacing it.
I am sitting with the damp smell of wet plaster and cement as my water tank overflowed today, which I discovered when my downstairs neighbour knocked on my door. It was flooding into their bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. Their daughter recently redecorated their flat after about 10 years so obviously they are upset.
The plumber came quickly and was very nice and efficient. It was the ballcock but the one he replaced it with didn't work so he was here for a while. Now I just hope that it dries without going smelly and that downstairs isn't damaged too much. The husband is about 92 and not too well so we were all really stressed.
Now I've just gone a bit limp.

My present washing machine is approximate 8years old, I think.
During that time, my partner has changed the heating element three times. They seem to burn out pretty quickly and they are always coated with limescale.
If he wasn’t able to do the odd repairs himself we would have had to spend a lot on call outs.
Funnily enough, went to the tip today, and whilst queuing up to go in, we were looking at all the washing machines that had been dumped. We both said that probably a lot of those machines could have been repaired. So many people just throw them out for no good reason. It’s a shame.

We have had a Miele washer for 13 years which has never needed any attention, but now sometimes sounds bit noisy on spin. I would definitely buy another one when this one gives up the ghost if we can ever prise the machine out of the very tight space it is lodged in!

It's awful to be so short of cash that replacement of a domestic item is a major disaster, but so good to hear how kind people can be when times are hard grannyactivist and GreenGran. An act of kindness ripples out I'm sure and is often repaid over and over.

My washing machine is also around eight years old (Candy). I pay Insurance of £8.00 per month, which some would consider expensive, I know (per year). It gives me the peace of mind that I can make a telephone call in the event of a problem, and often have the repairman come out the next day, with nothing extra to pay. If a problem happens at the weekend, then yes, I would have to wait until Monday and perhaps Tuesday for the repair man - but I think that this system is best for me. In the event that the machine cannot be repaired, I will get a new one through the Insurance Policy.

On Jaycee5 hope all will be ok.

GreenGran78 how lovely!

Greciangirl I think (as someone said upthread) so many appliances seem to be designed to have a very short life these days, and have obsolescence built in!

I had my oven cleaned recently as a present for Mr P and the chap that did it seemed amazed that it was still working, seeing as it was installed in 2005!!!

Honestly, are we all supposed to expect appliances to only last about 5 years, and budget for replacing them?