Automatic washing machines today have no competition due to their ease of use and a significant simplification of the life of urban residents. However, when choosing this unit, many are worried about how long this expensive miracle of technology will last and what determines its service life.
GOST and testing
According to GOST 8051-83, concerning household washing machines, their average service life should be from twelve to fifteen years - or up to seven hundred hours of operation. However, as practice shows, most washers work no more than seven to ten years in frequent use. A series of tests, during which certain models of washing machines worked around the clock for eight months, it was found that the most "tenacious" part of these units is the engine.
The service life of a washing machine usually depends on the quality of its assembly and parts, which can only be guaranteed by well-known companies with a good reputation.
On average, the engine of a standard washing machine is capable of withstanding three and a half thousand washes or ten years of operation. Most often, the heating elements of the machine, electronic control units, as well as pumps, which wear out or become clogged with foreign objects, fail. In addition, the service life of a washing machine largely depends on the intensity of its use, the quality of tap water and washing powders.
Average statistics: how much and for how long
The longest service life is possessed by automatic washing machines made by German, Italian and other European manufacturers. They are able to serve the owner faithfully for ten to twenty years. Medium-quality Korean products will last between ten and fifteen years, while Chinese or Turkish washing machines are likely to have to be replaced in five years.
All of the above periods are average static and also depend on the operating conditions and compliance with the rules for handling the unit.
Most manufacturers deliberately do not endow their washing machines with a large margin of safety, since this is not profitable for business. A long service life will allow the consumer not to purchase new household appliances, thereby depriving the manufacturer of a permanent income. It should be remembered that the build quality rarely depends on the place of assembly - but the quality of the parts used plays a very important role in the lifespan of the washing machine. If the unit has worked for seven years without breakdowns, it means that its manufacturer is conscientious and in case of a breakdown, you can turn to it for new equipment.
