and, with regret, much better! British 'industry' just could not compete either on price or quality in manufacturing, with certain exceptions. We concentrated on the 'financial services industry' and have proven not to be too good at that either :-). Depressing!
I currently have a Hotpoint Microtronic that is at least 25 years old. It was replaced by an expensive AEG which was a long service gift at work. The AEG was thrown out about two years ago, as it was too difficult to maintain due to spares availability (controller and switches on last legs after several repairs. This has now been replaced by a Miele after only 16 years use.
The Hotpoint remains in (almost) daily use as a spare machine, and was a bit funny on spinning for a while, until I realised the concrete weight had disintegrated. This was replaced by weight made from scrap lead sheet sandwiched between ply, and is now spinning better than new. It has had numerous brushes, the odd belt (1?) and the drum bearings were replaced under warranty (over christmas when we had young twins in cloth nappies and no machine -- hence having a spare since) and again a year or so ago.
It is working well, has spares available and looks like going on for some time. It is used 50% of the time, until recently quite heavily. Altogether a long lasting, reliable machine.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.