Seven in 10 Brits admit they’ve ignored warning signs from big home appliances, such as overheating, error messages, odd smells and water leaks, according to a poll of 2,000 adults. The research, commissioned by AMDEA, the UK's trade association for home appliances, found people have spent an average of £399 replacing items that have had issues over the past three years.
Why people replace instead of repair
The poll found 40% of those who ignored warning signs carried on because the appliance still seemed to work, while 33% said they just hoped the problem would fix itself. However, 22% confessed they’ve replaced big items like a washing machine or tumble dryer at the first sign of trouble instead of trying to get it repaired.
More than half (56%) of those who replaced something later admitted the last item they got rid of may have been fixable. When something goes wrong, only 11% call a repair engineer first. Instead, 66% said they’ve considered replacing a big appliance as soon as it starts playing up, without checking whether it could be repaired.
Simple habits that help
Consumer journalist Alice Beer said: "What many people may not realise is that repairs by a good engineer are often much simpler and more affordable than they expect, so it can pay to pause before you replace." She added that spending a few minutes cleaning filters and carrying out routine maintenance checks can help keep appliances working well, reduce the risk of faults and potentially add years to their lifespan.
Beer said: "We know household budgets are under pressure so every saving counts. That's why, when something goes wrong, my advice is simple - think repair first. The reality is that a small, quick fix could save you money and help your appliance go further."
Concerns about repairs
The items most often replaced without looking into repairs were washing machines, microwaves and fridge freezers. The biggest worries about booking a repair were the cost (49%), the appliance being too old (32%) and concerns the repair wouldn’t last (29%).
Despite this, 33% said they’d be annoyed if they found out they’d wasted money on an unnecessary replacement, while 21% said they’re determined not to do that again. Additionally, 24% aren’t sure whether their large appliances are still covered by warranty, according to OnePoll.
Repairs often worth it
People who have had repairs were mostly happy – 47% said the engineer was reliable, 40% said the repair gave them years of extra use, and 33% said it was easy to arrange.
Stefan Hay, CEO for AMDEA, said: "Too many consumers are writing off appliances before understanding what the problem is or whether a repair is possible." He added: "Our findings show that concerns around cost and convenience are often driving replacement decisions, but repairs are frequently more straightforward and affordable than people expect."
Hay concluded: "We'd encourage anyone experiencing an issue with a household appliance to check their warranty status and explore repair options before replacing it. A simple repair can often add years to an appliance's lifespan, saving money and reducing unnecessary waste at the same time."
