People's attitudes towards used items are ambiguous. For some, this is a categorically unacceptable option, some are afraid to take risks, while others are not averse to saving and do not see any special problems in this. Indeed, cars are purchased on the secondary market even more often than in car dealerships, and Second Hand stores can be found almost at every step in our country, and there are always buyers in them. A used washing machine can be a good budget option. If, of course, you choose it wisely. This will be discussed in this article.
When is it advisable to buy a used washing machine?
Buying a used washing machine can help out in several situations. First of all, if there is simply not enough money for new high-quality and branded equipment. Yes, you can, of course, take out a loan, but not everyone is ready to go into debt and overpay fees and interest. A cheap new domestically produced washing machine or equipment, albeit used, but produced in Europe - these are completely different things, and there is something to think about.
Used equipment is an excellent option for a rented apartment that is rented for a year or two. There is no point in spending money on a new washing machine, if only because it may not be the right size for your new home.
Residents of hostels shouldn’t chase novelty either: it’s unlikely that technology will be treated too carefully here, and an expensive new model can be broken just as quickly as a used one.
In any case, if you plan to move in the foreseeable future, a used car will be a suitable option.
Used washing machine: age
Employees of repair shops claim that their contingent has become dramatically “younger.” Increasingly, owners of cars that have been used for a year or two are asking for repairs.
The quality of washing machines has rapidly deteriorated over the past three years, when most brands opened their production facilities in Russia and other post-Soviet countries. But models produced in their “historical homeland” - in Germany, Italy, the United States - can work for ten years or longer without any problems.
Experts recommend purchasing used washing machines if their age does not exceed five to six years. This, on the one hand, guarantees that the car was not produced in Lipetsk, on the other hand, there are high chances that its service life will last for five to seven years.
In addition, the functionality of five-year-old cars is still quite modern.
Used washing machine: only reliable manufacturers
When purchasing a used washing machine, it makes sense to pay attention only to reliable manufacturers with an impeccable reputation. The top five, according to the results of various ratings, looks like this:
- Bosch
- Siemens
- Electrolux
- Samsung
- LG
But one brand name is not enough to be confident in quality, because each manufacturer has more or less successful series and models. Therefore, before shelling out money for this or that washing machine, we advise you to look for reviews about it on thematic resources like. But you can’t always trust reviews on manufacturers’ and stores’ websites: negative reviews there may simply be deleted.
We remind you: a used washing machine should not come off the production line in the CIS or China.
Used washing machine: what about the repair?
Wise people say: “When getting married, think about how you will get divorced.” When applied to used washing machines, it may sound like this: “When buying a used washing machine, think about how you will repair it.” Of course, I would like to do without repairs. But it is still necessary to provide for such a possibility. Therefore, we advise you to think carefully before purchasing very high-quality and reliable washing machines, but very rare in our country.
However, perhaps in your city the service of one of these brands is well established, and if a good washing machine appears on the horizon at a good price, but of a rare brand, you can make inquiries about repair possibilities. You can find out about this from the Internet or just call several workshops.
Don't forget to ask the seller if the model has been repaired, and if so, what kind. Although, if there was a serious breakdown, they are unlikely to admit it to you.
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.
Used washing machine: reasons for sale
Equipment can be sold for various reasons. Someone is moving to a new home, where they will need a model with different dimensions. Someone is renovating and wants to buy a car with a different design. For some, it is important to always have the latest technology in the house with various innovative bells and whistles.
There are also sadder options: for example, the washing machine was secured by a loan, and its owner failed to pay on time.
Cars that are sold for the above reasons are usually in good technical condition. It’s worse if the car is sold due to a breakdown that they try to hide. We will tell you how to identify the malfunction below. In any case, it is very advisable for the buyer to try to find out the true reason for the sale and only then make a decision.
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.
Used washing machine: price and functionality
When choosing a used washing machine, you need to pay attention to the price/functionality combination. Just like when purchasing new equipment, you should think about what features and capabilities you need, what you want, and what you can do without. So, it is unlikely that you will need a spin speed higher than a thousand revolutions: in most cases, eight hundred is sufficient. If your family consists of two people, then you are unlikely to need a car with a capacity of 7 - 9 kg. A four-kilogram model will be quite enough for you. But the accelerated wash function will most likely be useful.
However, sellers of used household appliances are often willing to make price concessions, and with a little haggling, in some cases you can buy a really “sophisticated” model for a very reasonable price.
Possible dangers and risks when purchasing on Yula
There are quite a lot of them. First of all, it is worth noting that there is no warranty. A purchased unit can last a long time, or it can become unusable after just a few days. The appearance of the equipment may differ significantly from the photographs presented on the website. And damage and all kinds of defects can become an unpleasant surprise after opening the package.
And delivery of the purchased unit can be very problematic. Especially from a financial position. After all, payment will often be borne by the buyer, and the tariffs of transport companies for the transportation of household appliances are stated at a very significant level. And you should definitely remember this even before concluding a deal.
Used washing machine: how to check the technical condition
Finally, we come to the most important question - how to check the technical condition of the purchased car.
The easiest way to make sure that it is in normal condition is to invite a master with you to the “bride”, who knows exactly where the catch might be hiding. If this is not possible, you will have to figure it out yourself.
Step #1: Year of manufacture
We advise you not to rely on the words of the seller, and be sure to check the year of manufacture of your future car.
The machine must be accompanied by instructions and a warranty card. Using it you can find out the date of production and sale of the equipment. If documentation is missing, the release date can be found by the serial number.
Different manufacturers encrypt the production date differently. So, for Indesit washing machines, the first two digits of the serial number indicate the year, the next two indicate the serial number of the week of production. In washing machines, the year is indicated only by the first digit. In Samsung machines, the year and month are indicated by the seventh and sixth digits of the number from the end. In household appliances from Bosch and Siemens, add the number 20 to the first two digits, resulting in the year of production, and the next two digits indicate the month the machine left the assembly line.
Someone may have a question: where exactly to look for the serial number if there are no documents for the car. Labels with this information may be located in different places. In washing machines Ariston, Indesit, Samsung, Kandy, Beko, stickers are most often located on the body under the rim of the hatch. To see them, just open the door.
In Zanussi, Ardo, Atlant, Electrolux cars, service stickers are placed on the inner surface of the drain filter door or on the inside of the baseboard.
If information could not be found in either place, you need to move the car away from the wall and carefully inspect its rear surface.
Step No. 2: External inspection
Even a routine external inspection can reveal some problems. Carefully inspect the entire machine, paying special attention to some particularly important areas.
Firstly, this is the control panel. Check how the knobs are turned and how the buttons are pressed. Are there any sticking, jamming or other problems?
Secondly, this is the hatch, or more precisely, its fastenings, lock and cuff. The lock should open and close easily, the hatch should recline to a normal angle, the cuff should be tight to the touch and intact. Sometimes the cuff has holes for water injection, but these are the same size and shape as the drum perforations. If you find larger holes in the cuff with uneven edges, the cuff will have to be replaced, and this costs money.
Thirdly, the drum requires careful inspection. Run your palm over the entire surface. It should be absolutely smooth. You can also do a “stocking test”: pull the stocking over your palm and walk along the inside of the drum. If no puffs appear, everything is fine with the drum.
Press the inside of the drum and see how much it moves relative to the cuff. There should be no play in the drum. A pronounced deviation may indicate bearing wear. This malfunction will also be indicated by knocking and grinding noise when the drum rotates - with a working bearing, the drum rotates almost silently. A problem with the bearing will also be indicated by traces of rust and leaks in the lower part of the machine under the rear panel (removing it is not difficult at all). If the bearing is faulty, it is not very difficult to replace it. But only if the tank is collapsible. Now many models are produced with solid tanks, and then you will have to change not the bearing, but the tank with the drum, which will definitely hit your pocket.
Fourthly, this is the body. It should not have any serious damage or dents (scratches and abrasions do not count). Inspect the bottom carefully for corrosion. If they are present, then the car has leaks. In any case, it is better to refuse such a purchase.
Fifthly, this is the drain filter hatch and the tube under it: you can see traces of calcification there.
Step #3: Functionality Check
Ideally, the washing machine should be checked with connections to water supply and sewerage. If there is such an opportunity, great! By running the shortest washing mode, you can check the performance of the entire “organism”: the engine, heating element, drain pump, electronics, and also make sure there are no leaks.
If there is no connection to the water supply, you need to check at least what is possible. Almost all machine models have an autonomous spin program. By running the program, you can verify that:
- the machine turns on and obeys the buttons (the electronics are more or less in good working order);
- her engine is running;
- the drain pump is running in the car (you can hear its operation);
- the machine bearing is in good condition (if no extraneous knocking or grinding noises are heard during the spin cycle);
- The machine drum is normally balanced (if there is no excessive vibration).
Unfortunately, neither the operation of the heating element nor the integrity of the tank can be checked in this way.
Used washing machine: transportation
If you find a used washing machine that suits you in terms of price, condition, and functionality, do not think that all the difficulties are a thing of the past, because you still need to transport it to your home.
Considering that the car is not “young”, this must be done with extreme caution. It is unlikely that the owners kept the original packaging of the car with all the gaskets, shipping bolts and foam plastic until the time of sale. Therefore, we advise you to stock up on several blankets or mats, which should be placed under the washing machine during transportation.
It is recommended to transport the car in a lying position. It would also be a good idea to secure the body so that it does not bounce on potholes. It is advisable to drive slowly, avoiding shaking and sudden maneuvers. In this case, the saying is true: “The slower you go, the further you go.”
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.
Interesting:
- The washing machine broke down under warranty
- How to return a washing machine under warranty
- How to choose and buy a used washing machine
- Reviews of Candy washing machines
- How to return a dishwasher
- How to buy a washing machine on Avito - tips from the pros
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