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Shoppers are paying up to £2,000 extra for up-market kitchen appliances which can break down 10 times more often that their cheaper rivals, research has found. Top brands, including Smeg and Hoover, were less reliable than the lower priced fridges, washing machines and dishwashers. Households could be hit with repairs bills of up to £750 just months after buying a brand new machine. In one example, nearly half of all Whirlpool washing machines broke down after 12 months.
Researchers warned shoppers to buy carefully in the run up to Christmas, when spending on appliances is expected to reach £500 million. The analysis of more than 18,000 white goods was conducted by Warranty Direct. Spokesman Duncan McClure-Fisher said “The analysis highlights that expensive does not always guarantee reliability”.
Some American-style Smeg fridge-freezers sell at more than £3,000, but the study found one in eight is likely to break down within a year, compared with fewer than one in 50 of the much cheaper models made by Zanussi and Beko. Instead of splashing out £2,000 on a Smeg FA550X model, Beko’s equivalent AP930X can be picked up for as little as £650. Washer-dryer combinations were the poorest performers, with one in four breaking down within the first 12 months.
Beko washing machines , around £100 cheaper compared with Hoover appliances, proved four times more reliable. Two in five Hoovers had faults in the first year. Ariston and LG were almost as bad, according to the research.
One in 5 Hoover tumble driers can be expected to suffer a fault in the first 12 months, compared with just 7{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} of White Knight and Creda machines. Smeg also failed to come out gleaming when it came to dishwashers. Some of it’s model sell for nearly £900, but almost a third broke down in their first year. One of the most reliable models came from Bosch, with fewer than one in 10 breaking down. It’s dishwasher range comes in at up to £600 less.
The Study also examined repair costs. The average for a washing machine was £130, but the bill could reach £728. Warranty Direct said it was important to get reasonably priced cover against breakdowns.
Mr McClure-Fisher added “Consumers should never take out a manufacturers or shop extended warranty for years 2 and 3 of their white goods life. The one year manufacturer warranty and the Sale of Goods Act offer plenty of protection. For real peace of mind, get cover from an independent supplier.”
( taken from the Daily Mail Monday 3rd. December )
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