I bought this vacuum cleaner because it was a WHICH best buy. I have been generally happy with the carpet cleaning results. However I found cleaning stairs and curtains awkward. The suction deteriorated when the hose was fully extended. I emptied and cleaned the air cleaner very regularly and checked for cotton/hair on the brush assembly. Despite this the vacuum cleaner has only lasted 2 years and 9 months!

I was enthusiastic about the Bosch BUC 11700 at first but found that the paper filter inside the mesh filter quickly clogs up and you have to bang it with something to dislodge all the dust. You need a wide open space for this! The brushes also get clogged up and mine have stopped rotating altogether. The machine is just out of its guarantee! I find it difficult to use the hand on tools and the attached hose is a pain to get backon. The brush end frequently detaches itself if I expand the hose too much. I will not be buying another

Like other reviewers I thought I had found a good vacuum cleaner in the Bosch BUC 11700. We live in a rural area, and the dog and husband tread in mud which quickly becomes very fine dust, which defeated a Dyson, but because of the filter, this machine managed with ease, along with the dog hairs. I note that those pleased with their vacuums didn't have them very long. Mine lasted 11 months and then the brush motor died. The engineer came after three days, and told us that all repairs to motors had to return to the workshop. One week later a letter arrives saying "parts not in stock, with no stock date available". We have been given a refund!

The automatic cord rewind broke on my Bosch BUC 11700. The repair man called promptly, but couldn't repair the machine on-site, so he took it away. One week later I received a letter informing me there were no spare parts available, and they offered me a full refund.

If I'd written this review 3 weeks ago I'd have given the Bosch BUC 11700 an excellent review, but now I'm writing it as a warning.

Firstly - this vacuum has a lot of suction (read the other reviews), but only as long as you keep the inner filter (looks like a cylinder of folded cardboard) clean.

The only board tools are only OK (could have done with a proper furniture brush). Liked the autocable rewind - I hate winding up the cable!!

3 weeks ago the motor on the beater bar went bang. Bosch sent out a local repair man who declared that it would need to be fixed in the workshop and arranged to send it off.

After about a week at the workshop Bosch sent a letter to say that they didn't have the motor in stock and the only solution was to refund the money. They don't seem to do upright bagless cleaning anymore.

So the warning is - this vacuum had been discountinued and it appears that replacement parts are difficult to come by. Shame because I think Bosch were on the right track.

Customer service have dealt with the issue well, but it really shouldn't breakdown in 6 months anyway....hence a zero star