How to find Model or Serial Number on Washing Machine

The model number on a washing machine, or any other white goods appliance, is often only displayed in full on the rating plate. Even if a model number is printed on the control panel, the full model number may be different. If you need to order spare parts, or check if your appliance is affected by a safety notice, you will need not only the full model number, but the serial number — and possibly even a production number.

Where are the model and serial numbers?

On washing machines, the current trend is to put a small rating plate sticker with the model and serial number behind the door, either on the cabinet near the door seal, or on the back of the door itself.

Some model / serial numbers may be behind the pump filter door (if a filter is fitted) or even behind the kick strip at the front base of the machine. This is more likely on built in washing machines.

Some have model/serial numbers at the back of the machine, either as the only one, or as a duplicate of one elsewhere on the machine. Sometimes the rating plate at the back of the machine has numbers not available elsewhere.

The most important thing is to get as many numbers from the washing machine as possible. To be on the safe side, try to get all numbers from the rating plate that look like production numbers, serial numbers or date codes. If you cannot find this information without moving the washing machine, and moving it is awkward, try the model number first, as it could be all that’s required anyway.

How to find the model or serial number on a built in washing machine

Some built in washing machines like to hide their model numbers. The one featured below shows an Ariston machine. There is nothing printed on the control panel. The owner couldn’t find the model number anywhere, so presumably it wasn’t behind the door.

On built in appliances, the model and serial number are sometimes only shown behind the plastic kick-strip at the base of the machine. It’s worth checking behind the pump filter door first (if one is fitted) as there could be a rating plate sticker there. If there is no serial number to be found anywhere, the only option would be to get the appliance out. That is really tricky though and you risk damaging flooring. The serial number should be visible without taking out the appliance. They just like to hide them.

Examples of which numbers needed for spare parts

• Zanussi and AEG use Production numbers (usually beginning with 9)
• Bosch use an E-nr number and Fd number
• Indesit model numbers are on the front but they often have extra letters on the back of the machine (or behind the door) which can be vital – and the serial number is often vital
• Hotpoint and Creda use the model number and date code (first 2 numbers of the serial number)
• Many other washing machine manufacturers use the model number and the serial number

Tip: The safest bet is to write down all numbers you can see on the rating plate. Or maybe take a good photo of the whole rating plate on your phone so you have all the possible numbers.

Washing machine spares sites have great information

Don’t get the idea that obtaining any spare part is extremely difficult, though. Many parts are straight forward to obtain, and you can buy most common washing machine parts at spare parts sites like Spares4Appliances who have detailed information and diagrams on how to find the right numbers from any white goods appliance.

More spares information

• Buying appliance spares – 5 things you need to know
• Find model and serial number on fridge or freezer
• 3 useful tips for buying spare parts
• Spares4Appliances