Washing machine seal

vulture

Hi I brought a  samsung washing machine from currys in december costing 419 the seal has a tear in it, do I have any rights under fit for purpose as I would expect ths to last much longer but it is not covered under the 5 year guarantee? Thanks

JJ_Egan

Yes contact Currys . But they may want it inspected and probably claim its been damaged by the usual sharp object .

zoob

Unless the tear was there when you got machine and reported it then you've no real comeback
Washing machines don't tear the door seal by themselves its something has caught on it at some point and very obviously not a warranty/guarantee covered issue 

Manxman_in_exile

If it's been cut or torn - which seems to be the case as opposed to it "wearing out" - then how long it might reasonably be expected to last isn't really a consideration.

neilmcl

Seals and gaskets in washing machines can easily be cut or torn by accident when loading the machine with clothes with potentially sharp objects, underwired bras being a main culprit but any hard objects left in pockets can do it.

Ultimately, as it's over six months since purchase, the onus is on you to prove that the fault was there at purchase, in other words inherent, rather than the more likely scenario that it's been torn/cut during use. By all means go back to Currys but, as has already been mentioned, they will likely ask you to pay for a report to prove that the "fault" is down to manufacture, something I think they'll find hard to do.

vulture

Thanks for everyones input, I had thought there was a clause for reasonable wear and tear, this has only had clothes washed in it and to me it is reasonable that the seal should be designed strong enough to withstand that, at least for 8 months? I have never had a seal go on a washing machine before so I am inclined to think that it wasnt fit for purpose?

neilmcl

vulture said:

Thanks for everyones input, I had thought there was a clause for reasonable wear and tear, this has only had clothes washed in it and to me it is reasonable that the seal should be designed strong enough to withstand that, at least for 8 months? I have never had a seal go on a washing machine before so I am inclined to think that it wasnt fit for purpose?

But can you prove that something you've done hasn't caused the tear?

Also, don't confuse a product not being fit for purpose and a product having to be of satisfactory quality, the terms mean two completely different things, and it would be the latter that would apply.

Can you share a pic of the tear?

vulture

I cant prove something I have done hasnt caused it, the only thing i can say is i have only used it for washing clothes, if it was a bra wire then it is poorly designed allowing this to happen imo. My last washing machine lasted 17 years, i changed the brushes and bearings but nevef had an issue with the seal

molerat

Looks like damage to me rather than a fault especially with a corresponding mark further in, something dragged across it. Can't really see how any sort of fault could have caused that and not been apparent within a very short time. The usual wear point is in the folds inside rather than at the door.  As you seem to know how to fix things just get a replacement rubber and change it.  I had one go (in the folds) after around 2 years and just replaced it.

vulture

Thanks molerat I agree that it is probable that something has dragged accross it, yes I can replace the seal but it is the principle that i dont like, this should have been designed, engineered with materials that stop this sort of thing happening, I am really disappointed that after 8 months i have to repair the machine, to me the manufacturers are well aware of bra wires (if that is what has caused it) and should have designed the machine in such a way to prevent this, as i said i never had this problem before. So i believe the machine fails under reasonable wear and tear as it should be reasonable to was bras in a washing machine.

Aylesbury_Duck

I think it's unreasonable to expect a manufacturer to provide a watertight, flexible seal made from a material that has to simultaneously be hard enough to withstand the impact from sharp metal objects like wires and zips.

I can't see that you have a reasonable grievance, I'm afraid.