Seven in 10 Brits have ignored warning signs on a large household appliance, including overheating, error messages, funny smells and water leaks, according to a study of 2,000 adults.
The research found 40% ignored these signs because the appliance still appeared to work, while 33% hoped the issue would resolve itself. However, 22% admitted to replacing large appliances, such as a washing machine or dryer, at the first sign of trouble rather than trying to fix them.
Replacement vs repair
Of those who replaced appliances, 56% admitted the last item they replaced may have been repairable. This comes despite 54% of all adults claiming they have needed to scrimp and save over the past three years due to the cost-of-living crisis.
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."
Simple habits that help
Beer added that simple habits can make a real difference. 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.
"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," she said.
Cost of replacements
The research, commissioned by AMDEA, the UK's trade association for home appliances, found people have spent an average of £399 replacing items which have had issues over the past three years.
When a household appliance develops a problem, only 11% contact a repair engineer as a first point of call. Instead, 66% have considered replacing a large appliance at the first sign of trouble rather than investigating whether it could be repaired.
The most replaced items without checking for repairs first were washing machines, microwaves and fridge freezers.
Concerns and experiences
The biggest concerns around arranging a repair were the potential costs (49%), the appliance being too old (32%) and worries the repair won't last (29%).
Despite this, 33% would be frustrated if they discovered they spent money on an unnecessary replacement, with 21% determined to make sure they don't do that again. Additionally, 24% are not confident they know whether their large household appliances are covered by warranty or not, according to figures from OnePoll.com.
Experiences from those who have had repairs were generally positive - 47% said the engineer was reliable, 40% had years of extra use thanks to it, and 33% felt 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.
"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."
He added: "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."
