Just put of warranty faulty washing machine

Mechoopda

Basically, I bought a washing machine on 18th January 2019. 

In the last couple of months, I had 2 heavily muddy pair of jeans, despite using different settings & even washing them 2-3 times, came out unwashed. I hadn't had heavily soiled laundry before. Also, my delicate underwear wash all came out soiled (I hardly have used this setting before but I think this had happened before but I thought I must have been mistaken).

The retailer, Co-op electrical says 
 as I'm over the 1 year warranty period, in order to make a claim with my consumer rights, I have to get an engineer report to prove it is an "inherent fault" with the machine. I have to pay for it, & they'll reimburse me (they didn't confirm this the 2nd time I called?) if the report says the fault is inherent with the machine, (otherwise I have to pay). This was a cheap machine I'd bought because I wanted something temporary until I moved. Further, I called back another time but the manager then had the audacity to tell me they may "consider it", so I have to pay for an engineer, waste my money on a useless product, which is not complying with my Consumer Rights, only for them to decide if I deserve my money beck or not!!

My dilemma is I don't wish to pay for an engineer report as it might be I'm wasting more money on this product. I understand the retailers point, but it's also not fair to me because the engineer might say, yes there is a fault with the machine but can't say if it was inherent or NOT! Citizens Advice Consumer line is also saying I'm liable to prove the machine is faulty! 
FURTHER, DUE TO CORONA, I'M EXTREMELY WORRIED HOW HYGIENIC ARE MY CLOTHES, ARE THEY BEING WASHED PROPERLY? 

Any advice please? 

The_Rainmaker

Mechoopda said:

 I had 2 heavily muddy pair of jeans, despite using different settings & even washing them 2-3 times, came out unwashed. 

Did you soak them first? 

Surely if they are covered in mud you rinsed them off with a hose or at least in the sink before putting them in the washing machine?

DoaM

The_Rainmaker said:

Surely if they are covered in mud you rinsed them off with a hose or at least in the sink before putting them in the washing machine?

That's the problem with common sense ... it's not so common nowadays.

KatrinaWaves

You bought a cheap machine to tide you over. It worked well for a year. You’re unwilling to spend any more money to rectify the issue (as it may well just be a cheap machine being rubbish cos cheap) so what exactly do you expect to happen? Free new washing machine because you want one?

If you’re worried about coronavirus I suggest a sink and your hands 

JJ_Egan

Could be filters are blocked / filthy .

Information in post one is correct re consumer rights .

That leaves the question  what price a cheap washing machine compared to the cost of possible wasted engineer report circa £60 .

Any washing machine refurbs locally ??

Ectophile

If the machine is going through the wash cycle correctly, then the chances are it's full of muck.  That's most likely if you always do cool washes.

Check the filters.  Then next time you're in the supermarket, pick up some washing machine cleaner.  Make sure you do a hot (60 degree) wash from time to time.

shaun_from_Africa

Mechoopda said:

so I have to pay for an engineer, waste my money on a useless product, which is not complying with my Consumer Rights, only for them to decide if I deserve my money beck or not!!

My dilemma is I don't wish to pay for an engineer report as it might be I'm wasting more money on this product. I understand the retailers point, but it's also not fair to me because the engineer might say, yes there is a fault with the machine but can't say if it was inherent or NOT! Citizens Advice Consumer line is also saying I'm liable to prove the machine is faulty! 
FURTHER, DUE TO CORONA, I'M EXTREMELY WORRIED HOW HYGIENIC ARE MY CLOTHES, ARE THEY BEING WASHED PROPERLY? 

Any advice please? 

What both the Co-op and citizen's advice have told you is totally correct and does not infringe your consumer rights at all so the only advice anyone can offer regarding the possible faulty machine repaired is that you have to follow what they have stated and get an independent report.
According to all of the health reports I've seen, simply washing your hands well with soap and water is enough to kill virus cells (it destroys the outer fat layer of the cell) so I can't see why washing clothes in a machine with the recommended amount of detergent wouldn't have the same result.

davidmcn

shaun_from_Africa said:

Mechoopda said:

so I have to pay for an engineer, waste my money on a useless product, which is not complying with my Consumer Rights, only for them to decide if I deserve my money beck or not!!

My dilemma is I don't wish to pay for an engineer report as it might be I'm wasting more money on this product. I understand the retailers point, but it's also not fair to me because the engineer might say, yes there is a fault with the machine but can't say if it was inherent or NOT! Citizens Advice Consumer line is also saying I'm liable to prove the machine is faulty! 
FURTHER, DUE TO CORONA, I'M EXTREMELY WORRIED HOW HYGIENIC ARE MY CLOTHES, ARE THEY BEING WASHED PROPERLY? 

Any advice please? 

According to all of the health reports I've seen, simply washing your hands well with soap and water is enough to kill virus cells (it destroys the outer fat layer of the cell) so I can't see why washing clothes in a machine with the recommended amount of detergent wouldn't have the same result.

Indeed, I've seen nothing suggesting there are special precautions needed about laundry. If paranoid about it then do a handwash.

JJ_Egan

Or use one of those Dettol type wash add ons .

shaun_from_Africa

JJ_Egan said:

Or use one of those Dettol type wash add ons .

I was recently reading up on them and whilst they appear to be useful for getting rid of bacteria in low temperature washes, they are pointless for viruses as the detergent is more than adequate in killing them.