Service life of a washing machine
When purchasing a washing machine, every consumer is concerned about its reliability, or more specifically, the service life of the machine without any breakdowns. Of course, everyone would like the machine to last as long as possible, but nothing lasts forever. However, if you carefully study the home appliance market, consumer reviews, and service center statistics, you'll see that some machines last longer than others.
Service life depending on the manufacturer
Opinions on whether the service life depends on the manufacturer vary widely; as the saying goes, "There are as many opinions as there are people." Some believe the manufacturer has no influence on reliability, believing that LG, Bosch, and Atlant machines all perform similarly, on average, for about 7-10 years. Others, on the contrary, believe the manufacturer directly influences service life.
We tend to follow the opinions of service center technicians, as they're the ones who can tell us which washing machines, from which manufacturer, they use most often and how long they've been in use. Based on their reviews, we can compile a short ranking of washing machines based on their service life.
- Washing machines from Miele. These machines can rightfully be considered the most reliable, German
The quality, proven over the years, speaks for itself. These machines can last at least 20 years, and up to 30 years under proper operating conditions. But it should be noted that these durable automatic machines are also the most expensive, belonging to the premium class. Only a small percentage of Russians can afford them, so such machines should not be included in the ratings, as they are purchased less frequently, meaning that service center visits will also be very rare (isolated). - The most reliable washing machines are considered to be those from Asko, Electrolux, and Aeg, assembled in Austria or Sweden. Their service life lasts from 14 to 20 years. This is quite impressive; these machines are quite competitive with Miele, considering they are somewhat less expensive.
- Third place in this ranking goes to German and French-made machines from companies such as Bosch, Siemens, Hansa, Kaiser, and Brandt. These machines are designed to last between 10 and 16 years.
- Washing machines from Korean and Italian manufacturers (Samsung, LG, Indesit, Ardo, Ariston, Sital, Candy) have a service life of up to 8 years.
- Washing machines made in Türkiye and China (Beko, LG, Samsung) operate without interruption for 5-6 years.
- Washing machines assembled in Russia (Candy, Zanyssi, Vestel) can have the shortest lifespans. These machines are often repaired by a service center after only three years of use. If high-quality original components are used in production, they may last up to five years.
A washing machine's lifespan is determined by the number of hours it can operate. According to GOST, the average service life should be 700 hours. Compare this to Miele, whose manufacturer claims a 10,000-hour service life for its automatic machine.
Factors Affecting Service Life
The trouble-free life of a washing machine depends on many factors. Even an expensive machine can break down unexpectedly, resulting in costly repairs. The service life of an automatic machine depends on the quality of its components and the quality of its assembly. Miele washing machines use only genuine, hand-assembled parts, hence the high price. But even a Miele can break down, and then repairs can be very expensive, as the faulty part must be ordered from the manufacturer.
All washing machine parts have different lifespans, so it's difficult to say exactly how long a machine will last. Electric motors are considered the most reliable components in this type of machine. Manufacturers provide warranties for them; for example, LG offers a 10-year warranty on its motors. However, machine parts such as the heating element, shock absorbers, and pump lose their power more quickly. Therefore, by the time a motor wears out, any other part may fail.
The service life is calculated during testing of washing machine models and conducting a series of experiments, and the average value is then indicated in the technical data sheet.
Operating conditions have a significant impact on the machine's service life. Very hard water reduces the life of the heating element, and small foreign objects entering the drum can damage the drain pump, hoses, and the drum itself. Furthermore, without surge protection and grounding, the machine is much more susceptible to breakdowns. Some washing machine models, such as Candy, are very sensitive to this and can fail if the voltage drops to 230V.
The question arises: why did older washing machines last longer than modern machines of the same brand? The answer lies in the relocation of production from the brand's country of origin to other countries, where it is cheaper to set up production for a number of reasons. For example, washing machines under the Bosch, Candy, Samsung, and LG brands are assembled in Russia, China, and Poland.
The quality of components and assembly of these machines leaves much to be desired. Not everyone uses original parts, which significantly reduces the price of the product. When buying a Bosch washing machine for $250, you can forget about German quality. Nevertheless, most consumers are willing to buy these washing machines because they are attracted by the price. As for the manufacturer, it also benefits them to make their products less reliable in order to encourage more frequent purchases and upgrades.
For example, Electrolux, which opened production in St. Petersburg in 2005, manufactured high-quality washing machines. However, in 2008, the plant was forced to close with a loss of €8 million due to the product's uncompetitiveness. The cost of the machines was 1.5-2 times higher than the average price of Indesit, Zanussi, and other brands. Russian consumers were simply unwilling to buy expensive appliances, despite their quality.
Tips to extend the lifespan
No matter how expensive or cheap a washing machine is, its service life can be extended or, conversely, shortened. If your car is an inexpensive one with a service life of 5-8 years, it's quite possible to extend it by another 2-3 years. Here are some basic tips to help you do just that:
- Unplug the machine after washing.
- Observe washing machine operating instructions.
- Wash and clean the machine regularly.
Important! The consumer cannot influence the lifespan of the washing machine if it has a manufacturing defect, or in the event of a sudden, severe power surge during a wash cycle.
Your "home helper" needs to be maintained after each wash. Be sure to drain any remaining water through the drain filter, rinse, and then wipe the detergent drawer dry. The cuff is also essential, as water stagnates there, causing an unpleasant odor. Descale the machine You can do it once every 2-3 months, and if you wash in hot water very often, then once a month.
So, what conclusion can we draw from the above? The conclusion is very simple: the service life of an automatic transmission depends primarily on the quality of its parts and assembly. It can range from 3 to 20 years. In practice, the average service life of such machines is from 7 to 10 years. We wish you good luck with your choice and reliable equipment!
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I have an Indesit, 8 programs with drying. Purchased in 1996.
It's been in active use and hasn't broken once! It's already summer 2017! Wow!!!
You bought your washing machine in 1998 (remember?). Back then, it was assembled in the original way and had true European quality. That's just not the case in our country now! Incidentally, the appliances I bought back then still work!
Ariston Margarita 2000 – broke today)
I've had a Bosch washing machine, model WOL1650PL, since 2002. It worked for exactly 15 years without any problems, and today it stopped spinning and draining water. It's probably the pump. I'll keep an eye on it.
What nonsense about Zanyssi's being the shortest-lived. Ours served us faithfully for 18 years. It ground up nails, coins, and boning and didn't make a dent! It would have kept working, but the service center no longer has those parts!
Hello, Elena! We have a ZANUSSI FLS 552C, purchased in January 1998, but it was assembled in Italy. That explains the quality. My family has recently set their sights on a Ukrainian-assembled Zanussi ZWSH6100V, and the paperwork says "1-year warranty"! What's the big deal?
Elena, your Zanussi has nothing to do with the modern Russian one. It's just the name that's been preserved. But inside, it's a disposable, non-detachable tank, a cheap motor, and that's it. If it lasts three years, you'll be lucky.
I have a used Zanusi from Norway; it's been there for 5 years, and it's been working for us for 13 years now. Everything they make for us and in our place is junk.
I bought Beko in December 2002. I still use it.
I recently had a misfortune. After 15 years of use, my Samsung washing machine (made in Korea, I bought the cheapest one at the time, even without a display or air conditioning compartment) failed with a bearing. Repairs will cost 5,000 rubles. I think it's worth it; it might wash for another 5 years. According to reviews, new machines don't last that long.
I've had a Bosch since 2001 and it's still going strong. We've replaced the heating element twice. It washes great, though it's bulky.
My Beko fills with water but won't turn on. It's been working flawlessly for nine years, never had a single repair. What should I do? Throw it away or send it in for repair?
For repairs!
Check and change the heating element.
Electrolux - haven't washed it for a year!
The Ariston as1047ctx has been in service for 19 years already. I changed the shock absorbers and soldered the relay on the electronic unit myself.
BEKO since 2001. Broke in June 2018. The drum fell off. Result: 17 years without breakdowns, with one heating element replacement. Turkish assembly.
I have a Samsung washing machine, bought it 11 years ago. I used it very often. Now it's broken. The drum has stopped spinning, but it's still filling and draining water. I don't know if it's worth fixing or looking for a new one...
Is it worth repairing a 15-year-old car? - Ariston Margarita.
I have an LG. The bearing broke. It worked for 11 years. After replacing the bearing, it lasted another month. I went to buy a new LG.
I have a Siemens Siwamat plus 5433. Built in December 1995, it has been working for 23 years without any problems, like new.
Zanussi 552c, parts - Italy. 1998. 20 years of operation. Only the capacitor was replaced. A very quiet, leisurely workhorse. And it shows no signs of giving up. It's outlived two similar machines: a Siemens and an LG. They lasted five years, requiring replacement of the drum housings because they couldn't be disassembled. Repairs are more expensive than buying a new one.
Ardo WD 800l. Bought in 1996, the pump broke recently, replaced it, and everything is fine!
Good afternoon. Could you please tell me from what date does the warranty period on my LG washing machine motor begin? Is it from the manufacturing date stamped on the motor housing or from the date of sale?
Zanusi has been operating for 15 years
I bought a new Atlant based on the price; my husband insisted. I wanted an LG. Now I'm looking at an LG, but it's used and 13 years old.
I don't know if it's worth taking this one.
After 13 years of trouble-free operation, my Ariston Aqxl-105 started squeaking during the spin cycle. We opened it up, cut the drum apart, replaced the bearings and seal, sealed it with sealant, and reassembled it. The old girl is back to life.
We got an Indesit in 2003, and it's still working flawlessly. I think the belt was changed in 2009. We got an Ariston in 2014, and it broke today.
The Asko stopped heating water after two years of purchase, which speaks volumes about its reliability.
Bauknecht. Bought in 2003. It's been through a lot of abuse and an uneven floor. It still works, but the shock absorbers have been replaced and the bearing needs to be replaced.