This is a shameful depiction of the truth.
Some facts I've noticed lately:
~ Co-Worker is presently washing clothes by hand. $400 repair for the washer, new one is $800. Not sure of the age - probably recent model (Given its a rental property)
~ Our last washer nearly went at 4 years. Control board getting funky. Had a daughter board and new lock fitted as part of a recall. It still didn't function 100% after that. Sold it a year and a bit later for a better Miele.
~ The previous washer was from the mid-90s, and was a Hoover TL model. Direct-Drive. Member "mattywashboy" had a similar model. Was replaced in 2009 due to Out-Of-Balance issues, and an electrical fault that could've claimed its user.
~ Friend's HP laptop went bad. HP replaced the fan that very nearly torched the machine.
~ Our Fridge/Freezer is presently on their 15th year (This past May). F&P models, made in Queensland. We were told to expect 7-10 years out of them (This was in 1999!).
The Freezer's defrost timer has just started getting funky a day ago. Nearly left us with a freezer of thawed food. Cranked the temperature to max - so it can't cycle the compressor (and timer) to spare us some time, and prevent a catasphrophe. Timer working, but noisy. Probably going to replace the timer.
(Meanwhile) - Our older fridges, a "Metters" model from 1964 and an Arcus model from the 80's were still around still at least 2010. The freezer popped a relay, mid-2010 (after having its compressor on for the better part of 10 years). The fridge was passed on to "new" owners within the family in 2010 - that fridge was QUIET and extremely efficient. It was replaced with a Westinghouse "Wideluxe" from 1992(!!!)
~ Our Panasonic 42" Plasma is on its 7th year this month. Still working nicely, as is the DVD/Surround system that came with it. Replaced a crappy-ass TEAC unit that had a dodgy picture, bad remote, and "static-discharge" DVD player 3 years older... Discarded (finally) in 2012.
~ DishDrawer on its 3rd year. For all accounts - it should've stopped by now! Apart from the drain-filters failing, no issues whatsoever.