Washing Machine Warranty

Englander

Hi all,

I purchased a new Hotpoint washing machine, with 1 years labour and 10 years parts. Having contacted the manufacturer to register, they informed me that the 1 years labour only covers electrical and mechanical faults, not faults to the drum, rubber rings or any form of leakage etc.  I couldn't believe this. They stated that I would have to pay £5 per month to cover anything other than electrical and mechanical faults and that this monthly payment would be ongoing, there is no one-off payment.  If I didn't pay this monthly payment, it would cost me £135 per visit by an engineer to fix any problems and also pay for the parts. This is appalling that if anything happens to the washing machine other than electrical and mechanical faults, there is no cover, not even for the first 12 months. Surely this cannot be allowed by law........

MattMattMattUK

Englander said:

Hi all,

I purchased a new Hotpoint washing machine, with 1 years labour and 10 years parts. Having contacted the manufacturer to register, they informed me that the 1 years labour only covers electrical and mechanical faults, not faults to the drum, rubber rings or any form of leakage etc.  I couldn't believe this. They stated that I would have to pay £5 per month to cover anything other than electrical and mechanical faults and that this monthly payment would be ongoing, there is no one-off payment.  If I didn't pay this monthly payment, it would cost me £135 per visit by an engineer to fix any problems and also pay for the parts. This is appalling that if anything happens to the washing machine other than electrical and mechanical faults, there is no cover, not even for the first 12 months. Surely this cannot be allowed by law........

Consumer rights are covered by law, goods must be fit for purpose, warranties are contractual agreements above and beyond consumer rights, largely they can contain whatever conditions they want them to. 

Englander

MattMattMattUK said:

Englander said:

Hi all,

I purchased a new Hotpoint washing machine, with 1 years labour and 10 years parts. Having contacted the manufacturer to register, they informed me that the 1 years labour only covers electrical and mechanical faults, not faults to the drum, rubber rings or any form of leakage etc.  I couldn't believe this. They stated that I would have to pay £5 per month to cover anything other than electrical and mechanical faults and that this monthly payment would be ongoing, there is no one-off payment.  If I didn't pay this monthly payment, it would cost me £135 per visit by an engineer to fix any problems and also pay for the parts. This is appalling that if anything happens to the washing machine other than electrical and mechanical faults, there is no cover, not even for the first 12 months. Surely this cannot be allowed by law........

Consumer rights are covered by law, goods must be fit for purpose, warranties are contractual agreements above and beyond consumer rights, largely they can contain whatever conditions they want them to. 

Thanks,

So how long are 'Goods fit for purpose' for ? If my washing machine drum broke or there was a leak from the washing machine within the first 12 months - 2 years, is this classed as 'not fit for purpose' ?

TELLIT01

If the drum broke I don't see how that would not be a mechanical failure.

MattMattMattUK

Englander said:

MattMattMattUK said:

Englander said:

Hi all,

I purchased a new Hotpoint washing machine, with 1 years labour and 10 years parts. Having contacted the manufacturer to register, they informed me that the 1 years labour only covers electrical and mechanical faults, not faults to the drum, rubber rings or any form of leakage etc.  I couldn't believe this. They stated that I would have to pay £5 per month to cover anything other than electrical and mechanical faults and that this monthly payment would be ongoing, there is no one-off payment.  If I didn't pay this monthly payment, it would cost me £135 per visit by an engineer to fix any problems and also pay for the parts. This is appalling that if anything happens to the washing machine other than electrical and mechanical faults, there is no cover, not even for the first 12 months. Surely this cannot be allowed by law........

Consumer rights are covered by law, goods must be fit for purpose, warranties are contractual agreements above and beyond consumer rights, largely they can contain whatever conditions they want them to. 

Thanks,

So how long are 'Goods fit for purpose' for ? If my washing machine drum broke or there was a leak from the washing machine within the first 12 months - 2 years, is this classed as 'not fit for purpose' ?

It would somewhat depend on usage, from my understanding most modern washing machines record how many times they have been used, so if the machine had been used on a normal domestic cycle, up to a couple of times a day, failing within two years would be likely not acceptable, although as that was after the six month threshold one would need to obtain an engineers report stating that the fault was inherent. That would call under consumer rights, which are enforced against the company you bought the machine from, not the manufacturer. 

DullGreyGuy

Englander said:

MattMattMattUK said:

Englander said:

Hi all,

I purchased a new Hotpoint washing machine, with 1 years labour and 10 years parts. Having contacted the manufacturer to register, they informed me that the 1 years labour only covers electrical and mechanical faults, not faults to the drum, rubber rings or any form of leakage etc.  I couldn't believe this. They stated that I would have to pay £5 per month to cover anything other than electrical and mechanical faults and that this monthly payment would be ongoing, there is no one-off payment.  If I didn't pay this monthly payment, it would cost me £135 per visit by an engineer to fix any problems and also pay for the parts. This is appalling that if anything happens to the washing machine other than electrical and mechanical faults, there is no cover, not even for the first 12 months. Surely this cannot be allowed by law........

Consumer rights are covered by law, goods must be fit for purpose, warranties are contractual agreements above and beyond consumer rights, largely they can contain whatever conditions they want them to. 

Thanks,

So how long are 'Goods fit for purpose' for ? If my washing machine drum broke or there was a leak from the washing machine within the first 12 months - 2 years, is this classed as 'not fit for purpose' ?

And this is why they can sell warranties... the law doesnt state what reasonable durability is, though does state you need to consider various factors. It is therefore a debate when the problem happens as to if its reasonable or not. A budget washing machine probably wont last as long as a high end machine. Both probably wont last as long as metal chair.

The other issue with statutory rights is that after 6 months if its uneconomical to repair the merchant can refund you the goods less useage and again the law doesnt state how they should calculate what 2 years of use costs for a £400 washing machine. 

Warranties are in addition to your statutory rights and can create simplicity because you know exactly how long it will last etc and most end up either with a replacement machine or full refund.

macman

I think you will also find that the '10 years parts' warranty is dependent on you using an authorised Hotpoint engineer for any repairs, and the price they charge will negate any savings on the parts required.
Unfortunately you chose to buy a budget machine. and it looks like you will have to reply on your statutory rights against the retailer under CRA 2015 should the machine fail after the one year warranty.
There is no legal requirement to provide any kind of manufacturer's warranty on any item at all.