The model number on a washing machine – or other white goods appliance – is often only displayed in full on the rating plate. Even if 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 and possibly even a production number.
Examples of 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
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.
Where are the model / serial numbers and rating plates?
The current trend is to put a small rating plate with the model and serial number behind the door, either on the cabinet/shell near the door seal, or on the back of the door itself.
Some model / serial numbers may be behind the filter door (if a filter is fitted) or even behind the kick strip at the front base of the machine.
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.
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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.
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 this great spares site Ransom Spares which has a price-match guarantee.
If you haven’t already done so, you can find out the important difference between genuine and non-genuine spare parts for washing machines here Genuine parts advice
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.
