Is it worth buying a used washing machine?

The answer to the question "Is it worth buying a used washing machine?" is obvious. Buying a used washing machine should only be done if you can't afford a new one. A washing machine may look great, but the seller won't provide a warranty. If it stops working after a week, no one will fix it for free, much less refund your money. If a new washing machine is out of your budget, it's best to be smart when choosing a used washing machine on classifieds. Let's look at what to look for when buying a used washing machine.

Origin of used equipment

Service center technicians are noticing that people are increasingly requesting repairs for automatic washing machines purchased one to two years ago. Experts believe the quality of washing machines manufactured in the last three to four years has significantly deteriorated. Many brands have opened factories in Russia and other former Soviet states, which has led to poorer assembly quality. Conversely, models manufactured in Italy, Germany, South Korea, and the United States can function reliably for 10 to 15 years without requiring repairs. Therefore, when choosing a washing machine, it's important to consider its "historical homeland."

When buying a used car, it is better to choose automatic machines that are 5-6 years old.

This service life guarantees that the washing machine wasn't assembled in some Lipetsk town. On the other hand, if the washing machine has been functioning properly all this time, without causing any problems, it can be assumed that its lifespan will last another 4-5 years. Moreover, the functionality of such a machine is quite modern.

Brand matters

What is one of the most important criteria when buying used equipment? When purchasing a used washing machine, be sure to pay attention to the manufacturer. It's worth choosing only brands with an impeccable reputation. Among the "favorites" are the following machines:

• Bosch;
• Siemens;
• Electrolux;
• Samsung;
• ElGi.

However, it's important to understand that even the most reliable brand can have less-than-stellar models. Therefore, after choosing a few washing machines, it's best to read as many reviews as possible on relevant forums. Don't rely too heavily on opinions left on manufacturers' websites or appliance stores—negative comments may simply be deleted. You'll have to scour the internet for objective information.

Spare parts must be available for sale

The next thing to consider when choosing a washing machine is its repairability. It's worth considering how easy it will be to order spare parts if the machine breaks down. It's best not to buy washing machines that are rare in our country, otherwise you'll have trouble finding spare parts in the future.

If you've really set your sights on a washing machine of a rare brand, be sure to research its repair capabilities before purchasing. You can find this information online or by calling a few repair shops.

Be sure to check with the seller whether the automatic washing machine you are offering for purchase has been repaired.

If the seller admits to repairs, clarify what exactly was changed. If it's just replacing a stretched drive belt or worn brushes, that's no big deal. However, if there have been previous problems with the control board or other serious issues, it's best to avoid the purchase.

Why are the owners selling it?

Don't be shy about asking why the machine is being sold. The reasons can vary. Perhaps they're simply moving and don't want to see the old appliance in their new apartment or bother with transporting it. Another possibility is that after a renovation, they want a more modern model.

For some, having an automatic washing machine with the latest, cutting-edge features is important. Therefore, a "home assistant" purchased several years ago is sold. A more unfortunate scenario is possible: the equipment is sold by order of the bailiffs, and the proceeds are used to pay off a loan. Usually, machines sold for the above reasons are in good condition.

Of course, it's impossible to know whether someone is telling the truth about the reason for selling. Therefore, it's important to have an understanding of how to perform a "superficial" diagnostic of an automatic washing machine to understand its technical condition.

How to check a used car yourself?

The most common question buyers of used washing machines are asking: how to test the machine on-site? The easiest way is to invite a technician who knows all the machine's weak points to inspect it. Of course, you'll have to pay for the specialist's consultation, but this is the best option. If you don't want to spend the money, you'll need to learn the basics of diagnostics yourself.

Be sure to check what year the washing machine was produced.

Don't rely on the seller's words. They might say the car was purchased four years ago, but in reality, it's actually ten years old. Ask for the machine's manual and warranty card - the documents will contain all the information about the washing machine's production date.If the documents are lost, the data can be found from the serial number.

Washing machine manufacturers encode the production date in various ways. For Indesit machines, the first two digits of the serial number indicate the year, and the next two indicate the week the machine rolled off the production line. For Samsung machines, the year and month are listed as the sixth and seventh digits, counting from the end. For Bosch and Siemens automatic washing machines, add 20 to the first two digits of the serial number to determine the model's year of manufacture. The next two digits indicate the month the machine was manufactured.

If there's no instruction manual, the serial number can be found on the nameplate. The sticker can be located in various places. On Ariston, Indesit, Samsung, Beko, LG, and Candy machines, it's usually located on the front, under the door frame. Open the door and you'll see the serial number.

On Ardo, Zanussi, Atlant, and Electrolux washing machines, the identification plate is most often hidden on the inside of the dust filter door or under the lower false panel. If you don't see the label there, inspect the back of the machine. Sometimes, you can find the information there. Never neglect a visual inspection of your automatic machine. Be sure to check:

• Control panel. Ask the salesperson to plug in the machine, then turn the selector knob to ensure the washing programs cycle freely. Press the buttons on the dashboard—they shouldn't stick or become stuck.
• The door seal, handle, and lock. The hatch should open and close freely. The sealing rubber should be intact, free of cracks, plaque, or mold, and should be firm and not feel "wooden."
• The body. The washing machine's walls should be free of cracks, dents, or rust. Carefully inspect the bottom of the machine for corrosion. If there are any signs of corrosion, the machine has leaked. In this case, it's best to avoid purchasing it.
• The dust filter hatch and the hose underneath. It's important that there are no traces of calcification on the elements;
• Drum. First, check its interior surface. For this purpose, it's best to take a nylon stocking with you, pull it over your palm, and run it along the walls of the "centrifuge." There shouldn't be a single snag.

Make sure there's no play in the drum. To do this, press on it from the inside and see how far it moves away from the sealing cuff. If the play is significant, the bearing assembly is likely damaged. Spin the drum by hand; it should rotate silently. A loud knocking or grinding noise indicates bearing failure. Rusty stains on the drum also indicate this problem; to inspect it, simply remove the rear panel of the housing.

In fact, it's possible to buy a washing machine with broken bearings, especially if the seller offers a good discount. Replacing the components is easy, but only if the drum is detachable. Many washing machines today are manufactured with cast tanks, and in such a situation, the entire drum-tank assembly will have to be replaced, which is quite expensive.

Ideally, the automatic machine should not yet be disconnected from the utilities. Don't hesitate to ask the seller to run the shortest cycle—this will allow you to check the operation of the motor, heating element, drain pump, control module, and ensure that the washing machine is not leaking. If the appliance is already disconnected from the water supply and sewerage system, run the "Spin" program. This will ensure that:

• the machine starts up and responds to button presses (that is, the electronics are in order);
• the engine runs smoothly at high speeds;
• the drain pump is activated (this can be understood by a characteristic sound);
• the bearing assembly is in normal condition (the drum should rotate quietly, without rattling or knocking);
• there is no drum imbalance (the machine should not vibrate strongly during operation).

If the seller refuses to run the machine empty, it's not worth buying. A test wash won't harm the appliance in any way. However, it will prove that the equipment is fully functional and there's nothing to hide. If the automatic machine passes all the tests, you can pay for it. But the problems won't end there—the appliance needs to be delivered home safe and sound. We'll explain how to arrange this.

How to deliver it if you bought it?

Once you've found a used washing machine that suits your needs in terms of price, features, and technical condition, don't delay your purchase. After paying for the item, don't relax—you'll still need to transport it to your apartment. Ideally, the previous owners still have the original packaging, or at least the shipping bolts.

Having transport bolts means one less thing to worry about. Secure the drum with them and transport the machine safely in a horizontal position. The hatch door must be tightly closed to prevent it from wobbling. If the bolts are missing, you'll have to transport the machine even more carefully. Bring along blankets and throws to place under the washer during transport. Also, be sure to secure the machine to prevent it from bouncing over potholes. Drive very carefully, at low speeds, avoiding uneven surfaces and potholes.

   

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