Are Reconditioned Washing Machines Any Good?
Truly reconditioned washing machines – where worn components are replaced and the machine is restored to a renewed condition – are extremely rare today. The economics have become unworkable: new budget machines are now so cheap that the cost of properly reconditioning an old one would exceed the sale price. Most machines described as reconditioned have been repaired, cleaned, and sold. They may still be worth buying in the right circumstances, but expectations should be calibrated to the price paid.
The idea of a reconditioned washing machine is appealing – a good quality older machine given a new lease of life at a lower price. In practice, the market has changed so significantly that what is sold as reconditioned today is rarely what that word implies.
What Proper Reconditioning Used to Involve
In the 1980s and 1990s, reconditioning a washing machine was a meaningful process. A properly reconditioned machine would have had the following work carried out – not just a fault fixed and the machine cleaned up, but a systematic replacement of worn and wearing parts:
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New motor armature and carbon brushes, restoring the motor to near-new condition -
New drum bearings -
New door seal -
New control panel and cosmetic trims -
New drain hose -
Any other worn components – suspension, pump, and similar – replaced as needed
A machine reconditioned to this standard looked almost new and carried a full 12-month guarantee. It represented genuine value compared to a new machine because the cost of the original high-quality machine and its durable components was retained, while the worn parts were renewed.
Why Proper Reconditioning Is No Longer Viable
What has changed
- New budget washing machines now sell for as little as £170 to £200
- The cost of labour and parts to properly recondition a machine would exceed that price
- Modern machines use cheaper, less durable components that are harder to source as spare parts
- Many modern machines are not designed to be repaired – sealed tubs, inaccessible bearings, proprietary parts
When it would still make sense
- High quality machines – particularly Miele – have durable components worth restoring
- Older machines built to higher standards are more repairable and the parts more obtainable
- If the original machine cost £600+ new, a genuine recondition at £250 to £350 represents real value
Premium brands such as Miele would theoretically be excellent candidates for reconditioning – they are built to last, use quality components, and hold their value. In practice, the relative scarcity of discarded examples (because they do not break down frequently) and the cost of their spare parts make this commercially unworkable for most engineers.
What “Reconditioned” Usually Means Today
The word is not regulated. A seller can describe a machine as reconditioned if they have done nothing more than repair a single fault, wipe it clean, and test that it starts. This is not reconditioning in any meaningful sense – it is a repaired second-hand machine.
A price of £79 for a reconditioned washing machine should be treated with significant scepticism. Even if the machine was acquired for nothing, transporting, cleaning, testing, providing any guarantee, and making a profit is barely achievable at that price – let alone replacing any components.
| Price range | What is realistic at this price | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Under £100 | A tested, cleaned second-hand machine with a basic fault fixed – if anything | Short guarantee, unknown history, limited life expectancy |
| £100 to £200 | A repaired and tested machine, possibly with some component replacement | Better chance of a reasonable lifespan; ask specifically what work was done |
| £200+ | A more thorough repair and test; possibly approaching genuine reconditioning on an older quality machine | Worth considering – compare against the cost of a new budget machine |
Is a Reconditioned Machine Worth Buying?
It depends on what you need, what you pay, and what the seller can demonstrate about the work done. A second-hand machine sold honestly at a low price – cleaned, repaired, and tested – can still be good value if it provides a year or two of reliable service. The key questions to ask before buying are:
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What specific work was done? Ask for a breakdown of what was repaired or replaced – not a general claim of “fully reconditioned” -
What guarantee is included? A meaningful guarantee of at least 3 months is a basic expectation. A 12-month guarantee suggests the seller has real confidence in the machine -
How old is the machine? A machine more than 8 to 10 years old is likely approaching the end of its usable life regardless of any work done to it -
What brand and quality level is it? A reconditioned mid-range machine from a reputable brand is a very different proposition to a reconditioned budget model -
What are your consumer rights? Goods sold by a trader must be of satisfactory quality under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. See our guide on consumer rights when buying a second-hand washing machine
Thinking About the Long Term?
Whether buying new or reconditioned, understanding expected lifespans and build quality helps you make a better decision.
Related Guides
Consumer Rights When Buying Second-HandWhat protection you have when buying a used washing machine from a trader – and what you can claim if it fails.
How Long Should a Washing Machine Last?Expected lifespans by brand and build quality – essential context for evaluating any second-hand purchase.
Is a Guarantee Transferable on a Second-Hand Appliance?Whether manufacturer warranties and repair guarantees transfer when a machine is sold second-hand.
Which Is the Best Washing Machine to Buy?Guidance on choosing between brands and models – including which brands offer the best long-term reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are reconditioned washing machines worth buying?
Possibly, depending on what you pay and what work was actually done. A machine sold honestly as a repaired and tested second-hand unit at a low price can still offer good value if it runs reliably. The word “reconditioned” is not regulated and is often used to describe nothing more than a cleaned and repaired machine. Ask specifically what was replaced, what guarantee is included, and how old the machine is before buying.
What is the difference between reconditioned and second-hand?
A genuinely reconditioned machine has had worn components proactively replaced – regardless of whether they had failed yet – to restore the machine to a renewed condition with a predictable remaining life. A second-hand machine has been used and resold, possibly after a fault was repaired. Most machines sold as reconditioned today fall into the second category.
Why are genuinely reconditioned washing machines so rare now?
The economics are unworkable. New budget washing machines can be bought for as little as £170 to £200. The cost of labour and parts needed to properly recondition an older machine would exceed that price. The only machines where reconditioning might still make commercial sense are high-quality brands – but these are less commonly discarded, and their parts are expensive.
What guarantee should a reconditioned washing machine come with?
A minimum of 3 months is a reasonable baseline expectation. A 12-month guarantee – comparable to what a genuinely reconditioned machine used to carry – suggests the seller has real confidence in the quality of the work done. A very short guarantee, or no guarantee, on a machine described as fully reconditioned is a warning sign.
Do I have consumer rights when buying a reconditioned washing machine?
Yes, if buying from a trader. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods sold by a business must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. This applies to used and reconditioned appliances sold by traders, though the standard of “satisfactory quality” is assessed taking the price paid and the age of the goods into account. See our guide on consumer rights when buying a second-hand washing machine for more detail.
4 Comments
Grouped into 3 comment threads.
1 reply Just need some quick advice on purchase of a reconditioned hotpoint washing machine: £175 , alledgedly 5 years old , reconditioned, new bearings, boeuf coloured (was that colour still available in 2010?), 1 year guarnatee. Don't really know the dealer but he is local. What do you think? should I buy new or the one above?
0 replies It sounds like you are trying to do them like we used to Gary. I've been inspired to find my old photos of ours from 1990 and have added them to the article.
It sounds like you are trying to do them like we used to Gary. I’ve been inspired to find my old photos of ours from 1990 and have added them to the article.
0 replies Hi Andy. I run Discount Washers, a company in Manchester that specialise in refurbished appliances and whilst I agree there are a lot of people selling "reconditioned" machines and giving little or no warranty at all and the machine is something they collected from a scrap guy, there are genuine companies really trying hard to offer the best of service they can, We have only recently stopped refurbishing the Hotpoint wm range of washing machines due to price hikes on spares as these machines always had new drum bearings, drum support, door seal, door lock, carbon brushes, pump and drain hose but due to the age of the machines profit margins were very small as we always give a full 1 year parts and labour guarantee with all appliances. We only refurbish branded makes such as Hotpoint or Bosch etc and always pat test every appliance.Each appliance also has its own multi point check list which ensures all work is carried out and all parts inspected properly. There are genuine savings to be made in opting for refurbished as long as you get one from a reputable supplier and not from a second hand site like gumtree or loot. Also a point to make, if like us they are a genuine supplier of refurbished appliances they would offer some form of money back guarantee, we offer a 14 day mbg for our customers piece of mind so if they are not 100% satisfied for whatever reason in that time we will refund or replace with no quibbles.
Hi Andy.
I run Discount Washers, a company in Manchester that specialise in refurbished appliances and whilst I agree there are a lot of people selling “reconditioned” machines and giving little or no warranty at all and the machine is something they collected from a scrap guy, there are genuine companies really trying hard to offer the best of service they can, We have only recently stopped refurbishing the Hotpoint wm range of washing machines due to price hikes on spares as these machines always had new drum bearings, drum support, door seal, door lock, carbon brushes, pump and drain hose but due to the age of the machines profit margins were very small as we always give a full 1 year parts and labour guarantee with all appliances. We only refurbish branded makes such as Hotpoint or Bosch etc and always pat test every appliance.Each appliance also has its own multi point check list which ensures all work is carried out and all parts inspected properly. There are genuine savings to be made in opting for refurbished as long as you get one from a reputable supplier and not from a second hand site like gumtree or loot. Also a point to make, if like us they are a genuine supplier of refurbished appliances they would offer some form of money back guarantee, we offer a 14 day mbg for our customers piece of mind so if they are not 100% satisfied for whatever reason in that time we will refund or replace with no quibbles.
Just need some quick advice on purchase of a reconditioned hotpoint washing machine:
£175 , alledgedly 5 years old , reconditioned, new bearings, boeuf coloured (was that colour still available in 2010?), 1 year guarnatee. Don’t really know the dealer but he is local.
What do you think?
should I buy new or the one above?
Likely replying to caroline everett
Hello Caroline. It’s hard to judge without knowing its history, when it was made and what model it is. If the dealer is locally trusted he should hopefully look after you if you buy from them.