I found the vacuum was carried by the handle when folded, which was only held by a plastic clip, which in the first year cracked and broke. Also, the side of the brush head where you push the disc in to stop the brush from going round, developed a hole, so the brush didn't work any longer because there wasn't enough air flow to make the brush go round. This happened after a year of use. The price I paid was £269 when the Dyson DC11 Cylinder vacuum cleaner first came out, so it was not good value for money.

Dyson DC11 Cylinder is the best vacuum I have ever had. The suction is great. Easy to manover. Bought it £100 under price, new from ebay. Emptying is very easy and very statifying to see the dirt. I have bought a tool for hard floor because I thought the multipurpose one might scratch the floor and it is much better.

Personally I see this hoover as more of a sculpture/meccano model/jet pack. It takes HOURS to assemble it before hoovering. It is fussy and has a bad suction. However it is fairly light and esy to use once you have assembled it.

Bought my Dyson DC11 steel yellow cylinder vacuum cleanere off e-bay for a song. It was brand new out of the box. Dyson insist on the garish colours for some reason but don't let that take away the fact the this is a excellent product. I've used many a vacuum cleaner in my life but nothing can touch the quality of this. The DC11 is essentially a DC08 but with a telescopic boom. Nothing sensational but it does mean that it can be hidden away. The cleaning ability is very good, it has the usual tools, such as the main head with its spinning brushes which stop rotating when the head encounters a smooth floor. It also comes with a brush head for curtains, I think? A narrow flat pipe with a hole in the side to prevent you sucking up loose fabrics and a stair carpet tool. The tools fit in their respective slots on the side. All in all a very good product from Dyson. His vacuums have been on sale for ten years or so now and Electrolux and Hoover are on the run for a reason. The build is good the motor is strong and hopefully I'll still be using it in 10 maybe 20 years time. Then I'll flog it as curiousity.