My sister had the exact same machine as that. The wm53 in white! However hers had the older drawer interior, in that it had the removable softener dispenser at the back left, as apposed(sp?) to the one that you have which was fitted to aquarius and ultima machines as standard I do believe?
Anyway it was a fantastic machine, she got it given in about 2002, it had been run into the ground when she got it, but a maintenance wash and a scrub of the dispenser and exterior got it good as new.
I really loved this machine, did a good job of washing in a short time, made fab sounds and in regards to the Hotpoint 'lurch'. I cant recall it ever doing that, and it washed some fairly bulky loads including a 9tog double duvet!
It finally gave up the ghost in about 2006 when the belt kept falling off and then the drum bearings froze solid!
Thank you so much for the pictures, brings back many good memories! I also see your not far from me! I'm in Hartlepool!
Thanks again and sorry for rambling!
Dan