How long should a fridge freezer last?

[ted22]

Hi everyone

In normal circumstances how many years would it be reasonable to expect a fridge/freezer costing say £270 new to last?

I'm thinking about 5-6 years so I'm actually looking for some kind of printed backup from a reputable organisation to take into the small claims court against Comet.

I understand the Consumer group 'Which' done a manufacturers survey some years ago regarding this which I am trying to track down but would be happy if anyone could point me towards a more up to date report as to what is a reasonable expectation of a fridge/freezers life.

Many Thanx

[PGH7447]

How long should an appliance last?

Appliance Life Expectancy

Try this web site

[patdavies]

Write to the manufacturer, say you are considering buying one of their products and could they please let you know the life expectancy.

Alternatively search for the make/model on t'internet and see if this tells you or the MTBF (mean time between failure). Divide that by the number of hours in a year.

[ted22]

Hi


pgh7447 that site doesn't show f/f just fridges but it does give some idea thanx

patdavies ive emailed the maker and am waiting a reply

not sure I understand mtbf though

I'm really looking for something definitive to show the judge.

I'll give you a laugh though

I emailed retra the trade orginasation for electric retailers with the same question about life expectancy

they replied with :
"Unfortunately, the gentleman who has technical knowledge is out of the office until Tuesday 27th May" LOL

I guess it must be rocket science

[gyzmo]

Can I ask how long yours has lasted for?

[ted22]

Hi again

I have just received a reply from an email to the makers technical services and they say 5-7 years, thats helpful

any other websites or info would still be very helpful

thanx

[ted22]

Originally Posted by gyzmo

Can I ask how long yours has lasted for?

hi gyzmo, 3 years

[patdavies]

Originally Posted by ted22

not sure I understand mtbf though

MTBF is the average time between faults on an item.

Can you post the make/model? Others may have the same model and if you get a slew of responses saying that theirs lasted 10 years, it may be persuasive to the judge.

The website that you have been pointed at is US and the defendant will quite reasonably point out that US spec devices are completely different from UK spec. and therefore the details on the site are irrelevant.

[ted22]

hi

yes its a Servis fridge freezer M7055/6S

[PGH7447]

The link is an american web site so for them a Refrigerator is a dual unit or in our case a fridge /freezer

this link is to a review site

Servis M7055 / 6S Fridge Freezer Review in Fridge Freezers at Review Centre

This model does not fair too well

[ted22]

Has no one else any idea regarding the original question in the thread title?

[barracad]

Originally Posted by ted22

Has no one else any idea regarding the original question in the thread title?

The problem is you could ask 10 different people and get 10 different answers, as they would be merely giving their opinion.

If it got to the point where you had to take it to court, the judge would be interested in what a professional thinks. The manufacturer has already advised you that it should have lasted twice as long as it has done, this will probably be your most powerful piece of evidence. If you want a second opinion then you could ask someone like RETRA.

[ted22]

What I was hoping for was a something like the 'Which' report ( that I have been trying to obtain from them, without luck so far) findings some years ago

They asked the leading manufacturers of 'whitegoods' ie large kitchen domestic appliances how long they they would last.

This answer from the guardian .co.uk in march 2006 reads

"But a survey by Which? of manufacturers into how long they believe different types of appliance should last made interesting reading. All of them said their goods should last five years or more."

I'm not sure a judge would accept an article from them but the original 'which' report may cut some sway.

This situation must have occurred in courts many times so I hoped that someone here may have some definitive answers regarding evidence that a court would accept, thats why I posted here.

I am contacting the author of the guardian piece

as for Retra, my confidence is fairly low in receiving an unbiased reply.

After all they do represent the retailers and if you had read my earlier post here you would see that apparently only one person has such technical info and they are on holiday...

doesn't actually fill one with confidence

[Conniff]

I remember that Which report, I can't remember where fridges came, but I remember televisions were the most reliable and washing machines the least.

Will see if the old magazine is still up the loft, I used to box them and keep them for some silly reason.

P.S. Just out of interest, we have had our Hotpoint for over 20 years and still going strong.

[gyzmo]

Which? Has not done a review on this particular fridge freezer which is why they haven't got an answer!

But to answer he question, as pointed by barracad, opinions can only be given here. What is reasonable is a question of fact for a court to decide. That is - it's down to the individual circumstances. I'm afraid taht in the absence of technical specifications you will only find your answer in court.

[ted22]

Originally Posted by gyzmo

Which? Has not done a review on this particular fridge freezer which is why they haven't got an answer!

But to answer he question, as pointed by barracad, opinions can only be given here. What is reasonable is a question of fact for a court to decide. That is - it's down to the individual circumstances. I'm afraid taht in the absence of technical specifications you will only find your answer in court.

I think you have the wrong end of the stick there gyzmo.

Its not about this particular model but appliances in general and how long it was reasonable for them to last that 'which' reported on and for your info here is the guardian article in full so that you get the gist of where I'm coming from.

Faulty goods? You've still got rights when the guarantee runs out | Money | The Guardian

Its true that the court will decide but there must have been a few of these cases in the past to have some idea what the courts will think.

Ive been in touch with 'Which' and they are going to send the report that the guardian allude to so thing s are looking up.

It would be so much easier of course if peeps actually read the thread properly through before pontificating

[gyzmo]

Ooops sorry - I was using their subscription website (only coz I don't have to pay for it!) and the model did not feature.

As to the second point, the problem is that the only court cases that count are really those of the appelate courts. Lower court decisions are at best pursuasive. and the majority of decisions made in courts are based on cars and high value purchases. Of those decisions, it is the principle (ratio decidendi) that counts.

As to the third - Good luck

As to the fourth point. I, as were many, was trying to help. I do not pontificate and object to that term, but I hope that I have again got the wrong end of the stick and it was meant in a friendly manner.