Is it worth buying a used washing machine?

The answer to the question “is it worth buying a used washing machine” is obvious. You should only buy equipment second-hand when you don’t have the money for a new one. So, the washing machine may look great externally, but the seller will not give a guarantee for it. If the machine stops working in a week, no one will repair it for free, much less return the money. If you can’t afford a new washing machine, then you should approach the selection of equipment on ad sites wisely. Let's figure out what to look for when buying a used automatic machine.

Origin of used equipment

Service center technicians notice that more and more people are ordering repairs for automatic machines purchased 1-2 years ago. According to experts, the quality of washing machines produced over the past 3-4 years has deteriorated greatly. Many brands opened their factories in the Russian Federation and on the territory of the post-Soviet states, which is why the assembly began to “suffer.” And, on the contrary, models produced in Italy, Germany, South Korea, and the USA can function properly for 10-15 years without requiring repairs. Therefore, it is important, when choosing a machine, to look at its “historical homeland”.

When buying a used car, it is better to choose automatic machines that are 5-6 years old.

Such a service life will guarantee that the machine was not assembled in some Lipetsk. On the other hand, if all this time the washing machine worked properly without causing problems, we can assume that its service life will last for another 4-5 years. And the functionality of this technology is quite modern.

Brand matters

What criterion is one of the most important when purchasing equipment second-hand? When purchasing a used washing machine, be sure to pay attention to the manufacturer. You should choose only brands with an impeccable reputation. Among the “favorites” are the slot machines:

• Bosch;
• Siemens;
• Electrolux;
• Samsung;
• LG.

However, you need to understand that any, even the most reliable brand, may have not entirely successful models. Therefore, having chosen several machines, it is better to study as many reviews about them on thematic forums. You shouldn’t trust opinions left on the websites of manufacturers or household appliance stores too much - negative comments may simply be deleted. You will have to “scour” the Internet in search of objective information.

Spare parts must be on sale

The next point that you need to pay attention to when selecting a machine is the maintainability of the equipment. It is worth considering how easy it will be to order spare parts for the machine if it breaks down. It is better not to buy washing machines that are rare for our country, otherwise in the future there will be difficulties in finding components.

If you really like a washing machine of some rare brand, make inquiries about repair possibilities before purchasing. Information can be obtained from the Internet or by calling a couple of workshops.

Be sure to check with the seller whether the automatic machine offered for purchase has been repaired.

If the seller admits to the fact of repairs, clarify what exactly was changed. When it’s replacing a stretched drive belt or worn brushes, it’s no big deal. And if there have been previous problems with the control board or other serious breakdowns, it is better to refuse the purchase.

Why are the owners selling it?

Don't hesitate to ask why the machine is for sale. The reasons may vary.Perhaps people are simply moving and don’t want to see old equipment in a new apartment or “bother” with transportation. As an option, after renovation, a person wants to install a model with a more modern design.

For some, it is important that they have an automatic machine with the latest, cutting-edge bells and whistles. Therefore, the “home assistant” purchased several years ago is for sale. A sadder option is also possible - the equipment is sold according to the decision of the bailiffs, and the proceeds go to pay off the loan debt. Typically, machines sold for the above reasons are in good condition.

Of course, it is impossible to find out whether a person is telling the truth about the reason for the sale. Therefore, you need to have an idea of ​​how to perform a “superficial” diagnostic of an automatic machine in order to understand what technical condition it is in.

How to check a used machine yourself?

Most of all, buyers of used washing machines are interested in the question of how to check the machine on site? The easiest way is to invite with you to the “bride” of the machine gun a master who knows all the weak points of the equipment. Of course, you will have to pay for a consultation with a specialist, but this option will be optimal. If you don’t want to spend money, you need to understand the basics of diagnostics yourself.

Be sure to check what year the washer was released.

Do not rely on the seller's words. A person may say that the car was bought 4 years ago, but in fact, it is “turned” 10 years old. Ask to provide instructions for the machine and a warranty card - the documents will reflect all the information about the production date of the washing machine. If the papers are lost, you can find out the data from the serial number.

Manufacturers of washing equipment encrypt the release date in different ways. For Indesit machines, the first two digits of the number tell you about the year, the next two tell you about the week when the washing machine came off the assembly line. For Samsung, the year and month are written in the sixth and seventh digits, if you count from the end. For automatic washing machines from Bosch and Siemens, you need to add 20 to the first two digits of the number, so you can find out the year of manufacture of the model. The next two digits indicate the month the unit was assembled.

If there are no instructions for the equipment, the serial number can be found on the nameplate. The sticker can be located in different places. For Ariston, Indesit, Samsung, Beko, LG, Candy machines it is usually located in the front, under the rim of the hatch. Opening the door, you can see the inscription of interest.

For Ardo, Zanussi, Atlant, and Electrolux washing machines, the nameplate is most often “hidden” on the inner surface of the garbage filter hatch, or under the lower false panel. If the sticker is not found here, inspect the back wall of the case. Sometimes you can find information there. Do not under any circumstances neglect the external inspection of the automatic machine. Be sure to check:

• control Panel. Ask the seller to connect the machine to the network, then turn the selector knob and make sure that the washing programs switch freely. Press the buttons on the “tidy” - they should not stick or stick;
• cuff, handle and door lock. The hatch should swing open and close freely. The sealing rubber must be intact, without cracks, plaque or mold, dense and not “wooden” to the touch;
• frame. There should be no cracks, dents, or rust on the walls of the washer. Inspect the bottom of the machine very carefully to see if there is any corrosion there. If there are traces, it means the machine was leaking.In this case, it is better to refrain from purchasing;
• garbage filter hatch and hose underneath. It is important that there are no traces of calcination on the elements;
• drum. First, check its inner surface. For this purpose, it is better to take a nylon stocking with you, pull it over your palm and run it along the walls of the “centrifuge”. There should not be a single puff.

Make sure there is no play in the drum. To do this, press it from the inside and watch how far it moves away from the sealing collar. If the deviation is severe, the bearing assembly is probably broken. Spin the drum by hand - it should rotate silently. Pronounced knocking and grinding will indicate bearing failure. The same problem will be indicated by rusty smudges on the tank - to inspect it, just remove the back wall of the housing.

In fact, you can buy a car with broken bearings. Especially if the seller makes a good discount. Replacing components is easy, but only when the tank is dismountable. Today, many machines are produced with cast tanks, and in such a situation you will have to replace the entire tank-drum assembly, which is quite expensive.

It is ideal if the automatic machine is not yet disconnected from communications. Don’t be shy, ask the seller to run the shortest cycle - this way you can check the operation of the motor, heating element, drain pump, control module, and make sure that the washing machine is not leaking. If the equipment is already disconnected from the water supply and sewerage, you should run the “Spin” program. This will ensure that:

• the machine starts and responds to button presses (that is, the electronics are in order);
• the motor runs smoothly at high speeds;
• the drain pump is activated (this can be understood by the characteristic sound);
• the bearing assembly is in good condition (the drum should rotate quietly, not rattle or knock);
• there is no drum imbalance (the machine should not vibrate much during operation).

When the seller does not agree to start an empty machine, you should not buy the machine. A test wash will not harm the device in any way. But it will prove that the equipment is fully operational and there is nothing to hide. If the automatic machine has passed all the tests, you can pay for it. But the problems will not end there - after all, the equipment must be delivered to your home safe and sound. We'll tell you how to organize this.

How to bring it if you bought it?

Having selected a used automatic machine that completely suits you in terms of price, functionality and technical condition, do not delay the purchase. After paying for the goods, do not relax, because the washing machine still needs to be delivered to the apartment. Ideally, if the previous owners still have the original packaging, or at least the shipping bolts.

When there are transport bolts, there will be one less problem. Secure the drum with them and calmly transport the machine in a lying position. The hatch door must be closed tightly so that it does not dangle. If the screws are not preserved, you will have to transport the machine even more carefully. Stock up on blankets and blankets; they need to be placed under the washing machine during transportation. In addition, be sure to secure the body so that the machine does not “bounce” on potholes. You should drive very carefully, at low speed, avoiding bumps and potholes on the road.

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