A cycling friend of mine used to make a decent living repairing domestic appliances. He stopped, because they’re now cheaper to replace than repair.
His advice to me was to either spend usual money and expect 3years, maybe more if you use it carefully, or spend oodles on one of the very expensive ones like the Miele over £1500 ones, that are built to last.
Our Miele has died. We had a local man out to look at it yesterday, but his verdict was that replacement parts alone would cost more than £500, and that's if he could even get hold of them. Could ask an official Miele person for a second opinion but I'd guess it's unlikely to be any cheaper. Can't remember how much we paid for it originally. Maybe £900. Definitely under a grand.
It has lasted 16 years - which is not bad by the standard of modern appliances, but perhaps not as long as I expected based on reputation. Perhaps we've been a bit unlucky - the nature of the fault(s) suggests it's one of those pot luck things.
I would definitely buy another Miele but current budgetary constraints and all that...
The chap who came yesterday has recommended a Blomberg replacement for £350. Never heard of them before. Anyone have any experience? I assume they're one of these generic brands that all come out of the same factory in Eastern Europe. Spec looks good on paper, but I know better than to trust that.