People waste hundreds of pounds by replacing their washing machine when they could repair it

(12/05/2009)

According to Which? Local, people could be wasting hundreds of pounds by replacing their household appliances rather than getting them repaired.

A fifth of those surveyed by Which? said they would get rid of their old washing machine if it developed a serious fault even though it could be cheaper to repair it.

Which? contacted almost 900 local repairers across nine regions of the UK and found that common faults with washing machines and electric ovens can be repaired at a fraction of the cost of buying a new one:

- Rather than buying a new Siemens washing machine for around £480, replacing a broken door seal, one of the most common problems, would cost just £70 on average.

- If the element on a five-year-old Hotpoint electric oven failed, it would cost £73 to replace it, whereas the price of a new double oven would be about £375.

Pete Tynan, from recommendation website Which? Local, says: “Don’t be hasty and write off household appliances as soon as they develop a fault, as they could be repaired for a fraction of the cost by a recommended local trader. Before calling out the repairer, check whether you can fix any problems yourself. If you do need to call someone to help, then you should get at least three quotes to ensure you’re paying the best price.”

Related categories:  Consumables   Cookers hobs ovens   Kitchen appliances   Residential applications   Tumble dryer kits   Washing machines and dishwashers