Bosch Washing Machine - Major Fault < 4 Years - The Good Guys and Bosch Won't Help

chasingstoke on 08/07/2025 - 20:09
Last edited 09/07/2025 - 11:18 by 2 other users

Hi all, my Bosch Series 4 washing machine has a drum bearing failure. On a spin cycle the machine sounds like a jet engine, and the internet is fairly unanimous that this is a major fault and requires the entire drum to be replaced (which means a full machine replacement).

The unit is just under four years old, I would think a machine like this should last at least five.

Bosch are attempting to refuse a repair / replace / refund as it is outside of their warranty. They are insisting that I pay for a technician to diagnose. The Good Guys Online have also been resistant to help and haven't responded to my written or phone requests for a remedy.

Has anyone been through similar and has any advice? What is the next step to attempt to have this remedied under Australian consumer law? I'm in NSW.

Electrical & Electronics Bosch Washing Machine

Comments

          • hasher22 on 11/07/2025 - 18:33

            @illogicalerror: I agree, it's def. worth it. I completely understand the reasonable clause under ACL but for me, it's not worth the fight when push comes to shove for out of warranty claims.

            I treat extended warranty like insurance, I pay for peace of mind.

            • illogicalerror on 14/07/2025 - 09:21

              @hasher22: If something runs for 7 years it might run for 10 or 15 too. It's past the scope of planned obsolescence.

              I also combine it with the strategy of buying the good one cheap, not the cheap one. I'll often wait for weeks or even months to get the right price on the right item. OzB has lead me astray buying deals that I have no use for, pre-buying items like this. :P

  • UFO on 10/07/2025 - 17:50

    Depends on the price you paid. Sad but true.

    The Small Claims Court in your State will consider the appliances age, how much you spent, what you purchased (was it brand new, a factory second, display model etc) and a host of other things in determining what a normal person would consider a reasonable amount of time a person would expect that appliance to last.

    Regardless of warranty period, if you've spent a considerable amount of money on a brand new washing machine, you would expect it to last longer than 4 years I would think.
    But its up to you to demonstrate that.

    Look up your consumer rights if you haven't already done so.
    Write a very clear email (email is best as you have a date time stamp- especially if they've already started ignoring you).
    State a reasonable time for them to contact you to inspect the appliance.
    State that if they don't respond or inspect by a certain date and time, you will arrange quotes and have the appliance repaired (without any further notice to them).
    Also state that if they haven't repaired the appliance (as you think is required under Australian Consumer Law), that you will lodge a claim in your state at the Small Claims Court, and that you will pursue all reasonable costs in taking that action. It's not much to lodge…. about $100, and there's no lawyers- its you.

    If it gets to that point, on the day court there will be a mediation session where both sides are encouraged to come to an agreement before the matter is heard in front of the magistrate. It's nearly always in your best interest to accept that mediation session… and magistrate will come in all friendly like during the session (they dont run it) and ascertain if one or both parties are being reasonable in their attempts to negotiate. If you push to have it heard in court, that friendliness goes out the window and they'll stick just to the facts and typically force you to settle for like half you were going for.

    They'll determine the current value of the washing machine (couple hundred bucks?) and that'll be it.

    BUT…. it'll still force someone from the other side to attend…. and they don't want that either.

    It really depends on how much you want to push it. If its on principle, go for it. But most companies rely on apathy for these problems to go away on their own.
    For a washing machine and a strongly worded email? It might get you something if you push.
    For a TV worth thousands of dollars? It's definitely worth the fight ;).
    Warranty periods mean nothing. Understand your consumer rights and fight.

  • bazingaa on 10/07/2025 - 20:27

    The unit is just under four years old, I would think a machine like this should last at least five.

    I got a used Simpson washing machine 7 years ago for $140, and it's still going strong. Don't know how long it was used before I got it. So I would say a washing machine would last maybe 15-20 years?

  • Bubbalicious on 11/07/2025 - 00:48

    My washing machines been going for almost 20 years, I forgot it's even an appliance.

    TV's, and washing machines I don't even bother with warranty, the only exception is a car or pc component they're a little more unpredictable and requires extra foresight.(Yes oled reader I didn't forget)

    A phone nope, been going strong for years, I just find a brand I love and stick with it, or repair it (until the firmware stops because of some security update)

    But definitely a laptop, car, and pc part their to complex to deal with and delicate.

    A fridge, or washing machine is a heritage item sometimes left in properties, sometimes new doesn't always mean best just different process.

  • MrKnowItAll on 11/07/2025 - 16:58

    I would expect a machine to last more than 4 years with 'normal' use - what defines normal is highly subjective though. To me, normal would mean not intentionally loading it up beyond what it's rated, throwing large light things (ie. a blanket) in with a small light things (ie. bath mat or a towel) or using it a few times a day, every day.
    That's why a technician is needed, they'll assess the machine, write a report and then the vendor has enough information to make an informed decision, not just a "hey, your crap machine didn't even last 4 years, fix it".

    Go with the tech, maybe they'll play ball. If not, bearings are cheap and frustrating to change, but by no means impossible.. if you're handy with the tools, it is absolutely something you could DIY (I have on an Electrolux machine, took me aroung 8 hours learning as I went and it's still going stong)

  • drprox on 11/07/2025 - 17:23

    Call the help line and say "ACCC" until they decide to help.

  • mauricem on 11/07/2025 - 23:52

    Bosch approved out of warranty repair on my 3.5 year old series 6 dishwasher. Didn't need to push at all and as one of the display boards was dead the tech just asked for photos to verify and came out and replaced the faulty one plus another one which may have been linked to the problem. About $500 of parts plus service call out.

  • Morphio25 on 12/07/2025 - 08:52

    I've got a Hoover washing machine that I bought when I first moved out of home in 2012 and it's still going strong.

  • shutuptakemymoney101 on 12/07/2025 - 09:59

    @OP, were you at any point in the washing machines lifetime able to purchase an 'extended' warranty from Bosch?

    If so then as far as ACL is concerned I don't think it's unreasonable for the washing machine to last at least up until the longest period Bosch would have covered the warranty for.

    I would push that Bosch have faith in the appliance to be willing to cover warranty up until XX years, as your machine had a major issue prior to this time the appliance has clearly failed early within the expected life cycle of the appliance.

  • dfg555 on 12/07/2025 - 12:46

    lol move on, it's out warranty. get another one or spend months dealing with small claims court wasting your time and petrol xd.

  • Amanda3724 on 14/07/2025 - 10:05

    @chasingstoke, FYI my surround sound speaker was purchased online from The Good Guys, (see previous comments re: ACCC). Their initial response was to decline a repair, stating it was out of warranty.
    Once they got the ACC template letter of complaint, they did a complete U-turn and offered a full price credit against a new one, (that particular model was no longer in stock).

  • Whatisthatvelvet on 15/08/2025 - 13:40

    Following this for a follow up as I've just purchased this same machine this week.

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