5 tips for buying a new appliance
The five most important considerations when buying a white goods appliance are: brand quality and aftersales reputation, not assuming past quality still holds, understanding that price does not reliably indicate build quality, checking the guarantee length and terms, and choosing the retailer as carefully as the appliance itself.
Most appliance buying guides focus on features and price. These tips take a different perspective – one informed by years of repairing appliances and dealing with the consequences of buying decisions. The aspects that matter most at the time of purchase are rarely the ones that get discussed at the point of sale.
Tip 1: Choose the Brand Carefully – It Matters More Than the Features
The brand determines not just the initial quality of the appliance, but how repairable it will be in the future, whether spare parts will be available and reasonably priced, and the quality of aftersales support when something goes wrong. These factors are almost never mentioned at the point of sale.
Repairability and spare parts
Some brands are built in ways that make common repairs impossible or uneconomical – motors that cannot be serviced, bearings that require full drum replacement, parts that are only available as expensive assemblies. This information is not published at the point of sale but becomes very relevant after the guarantee expires.
Aftersales service structure
Established UK brands with directly employed engineers tend to provide more consistent aftersales service. Newer brands or budget imports often rely on networks of third-party engineers, which can result in variable quality and longer wait times. This is worth researching before buying.
The premium option
If build quality and longevity are the priority and budget allows, Miele remains the brand that consistently stands apart from others in terms of component quality and expected lifespan. See our guide on Miele washing machines for more on why.
For a guide to which brands are worth considering at different price points, see our guide on which is the best washing machine to buy and our guide on who really makes your washing machine for the ownership structure behind the brands.
Tip 2: Do Not Rely on Past Brand Reputation
Brand loyalty is a reasonable instinct but can be misleading in the appliance market. Brands change – sometimes dramatically – when they are acquired by larger groups. A brand that was genuinely excellent 15 years ago may now be producing appliances built to a completely different standard because its new owners already own higher-quality brands and have repositioned the acquired brand in a lower price segment.
Bosch is a well-documented example. The Bosch washing machines of 15 to 20 years ago were built to a notably higher standard than today’s range, which now competes directly with budget brands. This does not mean Bosch should be avoided – some models still receive positive reliability reports – but if you want the build quality of a 20-year-old Bosch, the equivalent today is something like a Miele, not a current-generation Bosch.
Check current reliability data and engineer feedback rather than historical reputation. The brand that served a family well for 15 years may have changed significantly in that time.
Tip 3: Do Not Judge Quality by Price Alone
Price is not a reliable indicator of build quality in the appliance market. It is perfectly possible to pay £600 for an appliance bristling with features – larger drum, faster spin, digital display, many programme options – that is no better built than the same brand’s £280 entry model. The extra money buys features, not longevity.
The more meaningful comparison is between brands at the same price point. A Miele entry model at £600 will almost always be better built and longer-lasting than a budget brand’s top model at the same price – even though the budget brand’s top model will have a larger drum, faster spin, and more programme options.
For a full explanation of this, see our guide on is a more expensive washing machine actually better quality?
Tip 4: Check the Guarantee Length and Terms
Standard manufacturer guarantees are typically one year. Some brands offer two, three, five, or even ten-year guarantees – and the difference can be significant if a fault develops in year three. Where two appliances are otherwise comparable, a longer guarantee is a meaningful differentiator worth factoring into the buying decision.
| Guarantee type | What it means in practice | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year parts and labour | Standard. Any fault within 12 months is covered at no cost | Cover ends quickly – faults in year two fall entirely to the owner |
| 2-year or 3-year parts and labour | Meaningfully better than standard – covers the period when many faults first appear | Confirm it is parts and labour, not parts only |
| 5-year parts guarantee | Parts are covered but labour is not – owner still pays engineer call-out and labour charges | Labour costs can exceed parts costs. See our guide on 5-year parts guarantees – what they actually cover |
| 5-year or 10-year full guarantee | Rare but genuinely valuable – both parts and labour covered for an extended period | Read the exclusions carefully; wear and tear and accidental damage are typically not covered |
Remember that consumer rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 provide protection beyond the manufacturer’s guarantee – typically up to 6 years for claims of unsatisfactory quality. See our guide on consumer rights and faulty appliances.
Tip 5: Choose the Retailer as Carefully as the Appliance
The appliance itself will be identical regardless of who sells it – but the service and support you receive if something goes wrong can vary enormously. Retailers who compete solely on price often have minimal consumer rights support and limited product knowledge.
- Staff with no specialist appliance knowledge
- No physical stock – orders placed direct with the manufacturer on your behalf
- Poor or unclear returns and consumer rights process
- No UK-based customer service contact
- Supermarket white goods sections with no specialist staff
- Specialist appliance knowledge from staff who can give genuine advice
- Clear, accessible consumer rights and returns process
- Good reputation for handling faults and complaints fairly
- Will advocate for you with the manufacturer if needed
- Physical presence or established online reputation
Saving £30 at a retailer with poor consumer rights support is a false economy if an appliance develops a fault and you are left to deal with the manufacturer alone. See our guide on buying a washing machine from a supermarket for more on this specific scenario.
Related Buying Guides
Is a More Expensive Washing Machine Better Quality?
Why spending more within a brand does not buy better build quality – and what actually does.
Why Don’t Modern Washing Machines Last as Long?
The design and manufacturing decisions behind shorter appliance lifespans.
Integrated or Freestanding Appliance?
The pros and cons of built-in appliances versus freestanding – including repairability implications.
Consumer Rights and Faulty Appliances
Your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 when an appliance fails – including claims beyond the guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important factor when buying a washing machine?
Brand quality and aftersales reputation, ahead of features or price. The features of an appliance are immediately visible at the point of sale. How repairable it is, how available and affordable spare parts are, and how good the aftersales service is – these factors only become apparent after the guarantee expires, and they have a far greater impact on the long-term value of the purchase.
Should I buy the same brand I had before if it served me well?
Not automatically. Brands change – sometimes significantly – when acquired by larger groups. A brand that was excellent 15 years ago may now produce appliances to a completely different standard. Check current reliability data and independent reviews rather than relying on historical reputation. The brand that impressed you in 2010 may be a very different product today.
Does a more expensive model within the same brand mean better quality?
Almost never. Within any given brand, all models are built to the same quality standard – what changes as the price rises are the features. A more expensive model has a bigger drum, faster spin, more programmes, and better aesthetics. The motor, pump, bearings, and build materials are largely the same throughout the range. To get better build quality, you need to move to a better brand, not a pricier model from the same brand.
How important is the guarantee length?
More important than most buyers realise. A two or three-year full guarantee can save a significant repair bill if something fails in year two. A five-year parts-only guarantee sounds impressive but still leaves the owner paying engineer call-out and labour charges when a fault occurs. Always check whether the guarantee covers parts and labour, and read the exclusions carefully.
Does it matter where I buy the appliance from?
Yes, particularly if anything goes wrong. A specialist appliance retailer with knowledgeable staff and a clear consumer rights process is worth paying slightly more for. A retailer competing purely on price with no specialist knowledge may make the purchasing process easier, but offers little support if a fault develops and you need to make a claim under your consumer rights or the manufacturer’s guarantee.