Washing Machine broken after 3.5 years

copper_kitten

Just wanted some advice as to whether to pursue this or not...

We bought a John Lewis washing machine in April 2007 a 'warehouse sale' they were having. It came with a JL 3 year warranty etc etc so no need to be concerned. It has suffered faults almost every 6 months since we had it, mainly due to the fact it has a large gap between the seal and drum and things keep getting stuck in it (common problem a google search has revealed).

Anyhow, it has now been out of warranty almost 6 months and it has developed a fault with the drum which means it won't turn and thus won't work. I've had a repair man out to diagnose and it needs a new drum. The cost of the drum is a shocking £290 plus the bearings also needed at £60 so a total of £350 to fix the machine :eek:

Obviously its not worth paying this but should I try making contact with John Lewis as it is just out of warranty? Does anyone know how amenable JL are to such things? I read somewhere the reasonable life expectancy of a washing machine is 10 years. If I do pursue it with JL would I be best advised to not buy a new machine in case they offer to fix it?? Any help or advice would be appreciated.

vuvuzela

How much did it cost 3.5 years ago ?

copper_kitten

Trying to remember...I think it retailed at about £500, because we got it in the warehouse sale we paid around £300 for it.

Darksun

Well, JL customer service is supposed to be excellent, and it's always worth contacting a company and explaining your problem (the worst that'll happen is that they say no)

So contact them and see what they say. If they flat out refuse to do anything about it, then you can decide whether there are grounds to pursue any kind of claim against them.

copper_kitten

Thanks Darksun, any recommendations of a strategy in terms of approach? Do I start with an innocent "my washing machine is just out of warranty approach" or wade in with a "statutatory rights etc etc" approach?

neilmcl

I would try the former. For the latter you will need to prove that an inherent fault existed to cause the breakdown.

shaun_from_Africa

For the latter you will need to prove that an inherent fault existed to cause the breakdown

Surely as the machine has been suffering from drum faults approx every 6 months from new, proving this inherent fault shouldn't be too difficult.