I recall some Karcher can have a failure mode around the pump casing, it leaks, and is a design issue. So beware spending too much assuming indestructable. That is many years back, and I suspect that may have been limited to a particular model.
I would not use a pressure washer for a car. o Pressure washers can remove decals, perhaps damage seals
---- they might also get under your wheel arch undercoating o Steam cleaners are different beasts to pressure washers
---- main use is engine bays, then add dye to find leak sources
If you have tar etc: o Use Zymol HD Cleanse - also good at removing oxidised paint o Based mainly on various fruit oils, marked up accordingly
A Ferm pressure washer would be ok for doing paving 2x a year. So if your usage is low I see no problem, although you can also buy refurbished Karcher pressure washers - big ones £40-60.
Where Ferm is "usably" different to say a brand like Makita: o Cordless drill
---- Makita has ultra low-speed yet good torque
---- Ferm is more a disposable garden shed / DIY assembly tool o Pressure washer
---- it squirts water - opportunity for differentiation is less
---- top brands will last longer re duty cycle (like a big laser printer)
---- cheap brands may match your usage fine
Warranty is not indicative of life - you can do a design so cheap, yet still price high enough that warranty issues are not a concern.
Part availability IS a difference between the power tool brands: o Easy to get service on Hilti, Hitachi, Bosch, Makita, BDK/Dewalt etc o Generic brands may have more difficult servicing arrangements
Might be worth checking the local power tool places, they often do refurbished tools at "Ferm pricing", with a warranty & easy servicing.
Pressure washers are water squirters, you don't tend to drop them & crack the casing half way through drilling a water pipe or mains cable.
Hozelock & others do brush/hose/shampoo combos, the shampoo is good at stripping wax off and not much else. The brush is useful tho. Doesn't trash painted woodwork, plants & such like a pressure washer.