Washing machine advice

Pingu1

My washing machine developed a fault on Friday evening, it stopped spinning and there was a burning smell. The control dial flashed a random set of digits so I turned it off at the wall. The machine is over 10 years old, is likely to be repairable? Can anyone recommend a reliable budget washing machine - my budget is around £300. Thanks.

cymruchris

Pingu1 said:

My washing machine developed a fault on Friday evening, it stopped spinning and there was a burning smell. The control dial flashed a random set of digits so I turned it off at the wall. The machine is over 10 years old, is likely to be repairable? Can anyone recommend a reliable budget washing machine - my budget is around £300. Thanks.

It's possible it's repairable - but at what cost.

Most local facebook community groups set up for towns/villages tend to have regular posts of 'Who fixes washing machines/tumble driers/dishwashers' - and you normally see the same names popping up over and over again. (It's probably one of the most asked questions in the fb group that covers my village). I'd have a look there - see who is recommended and give them a ring. 

If it's not repairable - I'm sure there are plenty of fairly decent machines within your budget, but these days they seem to be all singing all dancing with so many modes and features, I'm surprised they haven't made one with a built in tea and coffee maker yet. I suppose an important thing to look at in current times is the energy use and wash cycle times to guage which will be cheapest to run.

Are you washing for one? two? a family? Is your current machine the right capacity for you? And if so - what is it?

Ganga

What washing machine ,make and model plus what were the fault codes that were displayed .

kipsterno1

The 'random'  set of digits will give you an indication of what the issue is. Once you know what the issue is it will be easier to estimate the cost of fixing it. Try searching fault code (error code displayed on the machine) along with the model number.

Pingu1

Its a Hotpoint, WMF740 according to the front of the machine. It was there when I bought the property in 2014. I turned it off quick when I smelt burning, so I didn't catch the error codes. I daren't risk switching the machine on again in case it catches fire.

danrv

I've just bought this 7kg Beko from my local Euronics. Haven't connected it up yet but reviews give it a good rating.
Euronics took my old Beko machine away for an extra £20. It was included with the house too.
https://www.beko.co.uk/appliances/laundry/washing-machines/product/a-7kg-1200rpm-washing-machine-wtk72041-black-white

Cloth_of_Gold

I've heard good things about Beko washing machines too. When our Zanussi fridge needed replacing as the salad draw (£38 to replace) had broken for the second time and the the shelves were falling apart even though it wasn't that old, we replaced it with a much cheaper Beko which has much better quality interior fittings.

ThisIsWeird

Pingu1 said:

My washing machine developed a fault on Friday evening, it stopped spinning and there was a burning smell. The control dial flashed a random set of digits so I turned it off at the wall. The machine is over 10 years old, is likely to be repairable? Can anyone recommend a reliable budget washing machine - my budget is around £300. Thanks.

A burning smell clearly ain't good - it'll almost certainly mean something electrical.
It might just be worn motor brushes which have started to arc, in which case there is the potential for a quick and cheap repair. But it could be 20 other parts, each of which would render it BER.
There should be very little risk in you turning the machine back on for a few seconds, hopefully enough to read the error code. If you don't do this, we can hardly advise further. Most likely, the issue that caused the smell will have stopped - the part will have 'popped' and now be deed, or your machine will power up in 'standby', so the faulty part won't be powered. This is what a repair person would do - press 'on', but be ready to immediately turn it back off again, perhaps using the plug switch. There is very little risk in you also doing this - it's only needs to be on for a couple of seconds, and chances are there will be no continued sizzling.
Of COURSE, turn it off when you're done, and UNPLUG it!

That aside, unless we can determine that it'll be a very cheap repair - comfortably under £100 - then I'd personally be looking to replace a 10+ year old machine. Proper-expensive parts like bearings and PCBs must be close to their ends. 

W/Ms are 99% similar, so the Beko looks a good bet.

marcia_

 My washing machine did this. Smoke came out when i opened the door. Got someone out to look at it and they said it would be cheaper to replace it. 

jusferbrowsing

Our Beko has been trouble free for the past 7 years and MILs is now 12 years old and has only required a door catch replacement (£15 part off ebay and youtube tutorial to help fix it). I think they're good value for the money.

casper_gutman

Hotpoint say (here) that they offer repairs with a 'no fix, no fee promise' so you get a full refund if they can't fix your appliance or it's beyond economic repair. I'd at least check how much that would cost before buying new.