Would not purchase

The Valliant Ecotec Plus 831 has just broken down for the 4th time in the last 18 months. This is a four year old boiler. Our previous boiler, a Potterton, which had performed well for 30 was replaced late 2008 because we understood Combi boilers were a lot more economic. Wrong! So far the cost of spares purchased to repair this Valliant is almost equivalent to purchasing a second boiler.

Nearly all the issues have an underlying problem and that is one of fluctuating pressure. I contacted Valliant initially and their reply was to send a water testing kit!!!!!!!!!!!!! Easy cop out. When the first fault appeared it was obvious that there was also a problem in some of the pipe connections because versions produced only 6 months after our purchase had subsequently been changed. Additionally at the time of our complaint a supplier of boiler spares had advised us they were constantly being asked for this part, which we deemed pointed to a design weakness.

With my experience I would not recommend the 831. To say this ia a Friday boiler would be an understatement.