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“I purchased a wma9p Hotpoint washing machine in Jan...”

written by farrah on 06/10/2004

I purchased a wma9p Hotpoint washing machine in Jan 2003. It has been making a grinding noise since I purchased it, which I thought was due to the cheaper quality specification I had bought and learned to live with it.



A few weeks ago it started to smell of burning rubber, although I have not used it much. I have been advised by independent engineers of a problem with the WMA model - specifically with the drum and the bearings which makes the machine noisy and also makes it smell of burning rubber after a while.



I have also spent some time searching the internet and asking friends and colleagues who have the models and shockingly they have had the same problems. I am very disapointed in the washing machine as it will cost me another £135.00 to get it fixed for a manufacture fault - it is not due to wear and tear as all engineers have advised that a drum and bearings should last for at least 7-8 years! I have contacted Hotpoint who have inconsistently advised that a) There have never been any such problems with any Hotpoint machine and b) Only models with serial numbers beginning with 01 had problems and these are no longer manufactured. The engineer I have spoken to has been advised that the problem was with the old models but were quite shocked to see my serial number beginning with 10 . and the exact same problem. It is general consensus amongst washing machine engineers (including an ex-hotpoint engineer) that drums usually last at least 7-8 years!.



Hotpoint are charging me for labour and parts as I do not have extended warranty and fail to recognise that the problem is not due to wear and tear - which I feel is not true as I have hardly used the machine, previous to which I had a Hoover which lasted for at least 9 yrs without a problem and that was in the 80's!.



I am currently speaking to trading standards regarding this and hopefully I should get a refund or some sort of resolution soon.


Do yourself a favour and don't buy a Hotpoint washing machine - I know I'll never ever get anything from Hotpoint ever again, stick with the quality brands and spend a little extra if you have to.