This article was written to accompany my article how to get faulty a washing machine exchanged. One of the important points I make in that article is that before reporting that the washing machine is faulty you should check my list of 9 common user and installation faults. This page contains that list..
..Retailers and manufacturers know that it is very rare for a brand-new washing machine to have a fault right from the off. They know from experience that it is much more likely to be a fault caused by incorrect installation and connection to the plumbing, or failure to use the appliance according to manufacturers instructions.
It’s no surprise then that they will almost always insist on sending an engineer to look at it before considering a replacement or refund. Before complaining about a faulty washing machine it might be wise to check the following list – just in case. You could be charged if it turns out to be one of the problems listed here.
Common faults on a brand new washing machine just delivered
Here are examples of “faults” I have personally found when customers have demanded a replacement washing machine after I delivered a new one. The following faults are caused by incorrect installation, or user error, and could all easily be mistaken for a faulty new washing machine.
1: Washing machine moving about and shaking excessively on spin due to the transit packing not being removed (installation fault – although if the washer was installed by the company you bought it from they should have removed this!)
2: Washing machine leaking, which turns out to be caused by leaks from the fill hoses or plumbing at the back (installation fault)
3: Washing machine not emptying water (due to blockage in pump or pump filter) or being connected to new plumbing where the blanking cap hasn’t been removed washing machine won’t drain after being moved or connected to new plumbing
4: Washing machine is stuck on rinses or giving an error code because it can’t take in any cold water caused by faulty cold water tap, a kinked fill hose, or the cold tap being turned off.
5: Washing machine is stuck on the wash cycle and seems to be filling all the time, or stuck in a cycle of filling, washing, then topping up with water. This can be caused by faulty installation of the drain hose (caused by drain pipe being too low causing siphoning washing machine siphoning
6: Not using the washing machine according to manufacturer’s instructions (customer didn’t read instruction book)
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7: Leaking from the soap dispenser due the use of a detergent tablet designed to go in the drum not the dispenser (causing blockage).
8: Banging on spin, or not spinning at all due to an out of balance load out of balance detection on modern washing machines preventing spinning of small loads
9: Flooded kitchen because coins left inside pockets have been punched through the plastic outer tub by the spinning inner drum causing washing machine to need extensive major repairs
Some of the above faults may still need an engineer but won’t be covered by the guarantee. Some could be sorted out without needing an engineer.
Summary
The purpose of this article is to encourage you to just double check before calling an engineer out to a brand-new appliance. Don’t panic, just make sure you have checked that the fault you are experiencing is not related to anything in this article. If you manage to find something in this article that is relevant you may be able to fix it yourself, and get the washing machine up and running without having to wait for an engineer. If having checked this list you are sure that there is definitely a fault on the washing machine then refer to my main article here for consumer advice How to get faulty washing machine exchanged
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My new machine worked perfectly and on my fourth wash it tripped the electrics and now won’t work at all have changed plug and checked socket
Hello Evelyn. If you have tried the washing machine in a totally different socket (not just the next socket in a double socket) and you still have the problem, then you have no option but to assume it is faulty. There is always a faint possibility there is a fault with the RCD system in the house, but that is unlikely, otherwise you’d likely be having it trip out with lots of different appliances.
Recently purchased a Beko washing machine that was delivered and installed by the delivery men today. I’ve used it twice already, but I’ve not over-filled it. I make sure to never over-fill washing machines.
The machine is great. The 1200 spin is highly efficient – there’s a very slight vibration, but nothing out of the ordinary. All I’m concerned about is the slight smell of burnt rubber afterwards. Could this be because the machine is brand new?
I’m a little concerned and I’m not sure what to do, or what legal protections I have.
Hi Ella. It’s not normal for there to be a smell of burning rubber. It could be the front lip of the drum catching on the door seal and it could settle down after a few washes. Did the transit packing definitely get taken out?
Thank you, Andy. I appreciate your reply.
The washing machine was installed by the delivery drivers – a service I paid for, so I assume they knew what they were doing and that they removed all of the transit packaging.
I will try another wash and see what happens. Fingers crossed.
Update – the problem seems to have resolved itself. The burning rubber smell seems to have disappeared.
That’s great. Thanks for the update, it must have just settled in.
Bought a hotpoint machine in August last year .machine still under guarantee but hot point wont come and sort it as out with there service area if i had known that i would not have bought it they say i have to get a local engineer. They gave me a number its costing £264 to get the engineer out the machine cosy me over £600 including delivery.The machine is leaking under the door I can’t see any problem
Hi there. I can only assume you live in an extremely remote area? I’ve always assumed the manufacturer would be able to send an engineer out to any of their appliances that is still under warranty to anywhere in the United Kingdom. If not, then someone should surely have advised you that you would not be able to get it repaired under warranty.
I’m also assuming when they say to get a local engineer that they will refund you the money? Although this seems highly unusual, and fraught with potential problems. I’d be surprised that they would trust any independent engineer and just pay their bill.
Your case sounds extremely unusual. The problem is compounded by the fact that until an engineer has examined the washing machine, you can’t know what the problem is. You can’t be 100% sure that the fault is even covered under the warranty for a start.
Hello Andy
Apologies for the length of this message!
We recently bought a washer for our grandson. My husband, who is a retired engineer installed the appliance. The day after, during the first wash, it was leaking. The manufacturer’s engineer came to inspect. It took him 15-20 mins to strip the appliance down to find a faulty pipe near the front inside of the casing. He confirmed it was not an installation issue and asked if we would like to ‘go for a replacement’ or he could check his van to see if he had a spare part. My grandson suggested he check for the spare part to save time. As he didn’t have a spare part, he provided a code for us to give to the supplier in order to seek a replacement. He suggested this was the best option as it was so new and we should not be in this situation. He suggested it was either a manufacturing fault, or damage during transportation, as he had come across appliances being damaged by forklift trucks. He also commented on the flimsy base panels which were not fit for purpose.
Within a day or two, the retailer emailed to say ‘unfortunately the engineer has put it down as damaged during installation’ and unfortunately they are unable to get a returns authorisation. They added, we could get our own engineer to just fit a new part.
Naturally we were stunned by this and at the disparity between the engineers comments to us, and the supposed comments on his report. We have also requested a copy of the engineer’s report but this is not being released to us.
Despite our full emailed outline of the facts to the retailer, they are sticking to their original decision. Unfortunately, we are now in dispute with the retailer.
We consulted the manufacturer for their comments, and they confirmed it was down to the retailer to resolve the issue and that the retailer does not require an authorisation code from them.
We are obviously being fobbed off by the retailer, and this has been going on for four weeks now.
Our grandson has been without a washer for all this time.
We visited Citizens Advice and they agree with us that the retailer is trying to evade its obligations etc.
We have sent them a no-nonsense, but polite email asking for a replacement or a full refund, in accordance with our consumer rights. I followed this up with a telephone call to confirm receipt. They said they had escalated our complaint to a manager.
We will see!
I would welcome your comments on this situation.
Many thanks
Linda
Hi Linda. I wonder if the engineer put damaged during installation by mistake and should have put in transit? The only other explanation is that the engineer just outrageously lied. It is hard to imagine someone going to such an extent of talking about exchanging and giving advice as a total lie.
The problem is that the Consumer Rights Act says 2 completely opposing things. It says that if a product develops a fault within the first 30 days you have a right to a replacement, but at the same time it says retailers don’t have to replace something if it is disproportionately expensive to do so. It does make sense, in that a retailer shouldn’t have to replace an appliance if it has a very minor fault, that can easily and cheaply be fixed.
The manufacturer is correct in that they have no obligation to replace anything, and it is only down to the retailer.
Obviously the difficulty is that if the engineer has put it was damaged by the user, then the retailer is never going to accept anything else. They need to contact him, and ask him if he remembers his visit – which he should do.
If they do, and he sticks with the damaged during installation you have a problem but if he recalls and admits he meant to put in transit that should clear it up. However, even then, the retailer could say they will only repair it as it is such a minor repair though that would be better than the current situation.