Government on your side
Durables should be durable.
Beko, a relatively low-cost manufacturer of “white goods” offer a 5 year warranty on all new major cooking appliances, fridges, freezers, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers – if you live in Australia or New Zealand.
Richer Sounds offer a 6 year warranty on all televisions they sell in the UK.
MG offer a 7 year warranty on all their cars in Europe – including the MG3, which costs less than £14,000 new. Kia offer the same – they also sell cars starting at under £14,000.
In short, it is perfectly possible to manufacture reliable domestic appliances and cars for reasonable prices.
Yet despite that, many items do not last at all long. Which? report that while only 6% of Bosch washing machines need repairing or replacing within 7 years, 13% of Candy, 17% of Whirlpool, and 19% of Bush machines need to be repaired. 3% of Belling cookers need repairing, compared with 12% of Hotpoint, 13% of Ikea, and 18% of CDA. Seven fridge freezers brands have failure rates of 3% or better, including Currys’ own brand Logik. Yet 9% or more of John Lewis, Bush and Kenwood machines fail.
So what?