written by on 17/12/2009
Have had this DC03 for several years, but like everyone else, have found that it is made out of very poor material, in that most plastic parts break very easily. Because the design is top heavy, it topples over very easily, which often breaks the wand (handle), and which, like every other Dyson part, is ludicrously expensive. For those who have had the wand break, do as I did, get a small piece of 1 and a half inch waste pipe, cut to length to fit between the handle, cut horizontally along the piece, then glue around the handle with a strong glue, solvent or araldite will do. Mine broke soon after purchase five years ago, but after repair and therefore strengthening, it has not broken since, thus saving considerable cost. (For Mr Dyson, please feel free to use this advice freely.)
written by LJG on 11/05/2008
The main thing on this Dyson DC03 is the durability, or lack of. The plastic breaks easily. Its very heavy & cumbersome. Poor design apart from suction( The wheel arches appear to be made to catch & damage radiator pipes). The suction head has a mind of its own & is not easily manouvered around furniture. Not easy to empty.
written by jwh on 19/07/2007
Very unreliable and poor build quality
(i) The suction went on it through the hose, cost £50 to repair
(ii) Now the handle has broken near the top - new wand £25.
Old vacuums used to go on for years with no problems
written by Bsteers on 20/12/2006
I have been the owner of this Dyson, from new for about 4 years and have hated it since day 1! I found the Dyson DC03's performance lacking compared to almost every single other vacuum I've used before and after whether bagged or bagless. The attachments that have movable joints have all broken now, the wand's flexible pipe has had to be repaired twice as it broke from the rigid end part of the wand and is now held in with tape. I would not recommend this vacuum to anyone as it is not particularly good in any aspect of it's design or functionality. A £30 Goblin vacuum from Argos has more grunt and go than this DC03 - no kidding!
written by DG on 27/07/2004
I purchased my DC03 Vacuum Cleaner in Dec 2000 and have just committed it to the local tip due to the fact the armature on the motor has disintegrated. Dyson stated that the motor should last far longer than 3.5 yrs but wanted £80 for a replacement. I have previously had to replace the main switch and also the power cable.
The units are effective cleaners but don't assume that the high price tag £250 will guarantee longivity of the product. It appears that you are paying for the innovative design as opposed to the Manufacturing quality and robustness
written by Mick J. on 02/08/2003
We purchased a DC03 in August 1998. I was impressed by the new approach to vacuum cleaner design and that it was a British product produced by a British entrepreneur. It also did a good job of cleaning. However, 5 years on it is disintegrating. A couple of months ago the wand handle broke and we replaced it. Last week part of the brush assembly broke off so the whole thing flops about and is only held together by the tension in the drive belt. Today the top of the main body broke where the wand is stowed, so that it can no longer be pushed back and forth across the floor.
Clearly there is some property of the plastic that has caused it to become brittle at this age - even though the cleaner has always been stored away from light in a cupboard the old parts are noticeably 'yellowed' compared to the new ones.
We paid £249 for the cleaner and a further £134 for 3 replacement pre-filters (annual replacement is recommended), 2 replacement hoses (both split at the tool end) and the replacement wand. Total cost of ownership, £383.
My previous cleaner, a Panasonic, lasted 12 years without any replacement parts and my mother had a Hoover that lasted 30 years!
Having bought what was then the most expensive product on the market now feel totally betrayed to find that it has such a short lifespan - If I was a cynic I might conclude that this is designed-in obsolessence!
Needless to say, I shall not be lining Mr Dyson's pocket any further!
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As rated by our community of reviewers
Mrcheerful's Response to DG's Review
Written on: 23/11/2004
Mine does lots of hard work and is still going many years after purchase, I have had two grey plastic handle covers supplied, the cable failed which I fixed, I have replaced a filter, still works like new, the head is low and fits under things, the design is slim. I like mine.
<br>#mrcheerful