Miele Miele Miele... ten year one still going strong for our tenants in old house. Survived a flood and everything. Fabulous machines. It has a silks wash which is so delicate you can wash anything on it and it is fine. Brilliant. Sorry they may be well over budget, not sure, but they are just so brilliant I would never buy anything else.

One washing machine repairer told me that people don't need Miele in their homes, because they're built to commercial washing machine standards. That clinched it for me. Our next washing machine was a Miele, and TBH, by the time you include their long warranties they're really not more expensive than many other brands. Indeed, I have told DH that if I have to choose between him and my Miele washing machine there is absolutely no contest.

My Indesit washer dryer is really good - washes and dries fine, has a nice selection of programmes and was quite cheap. But I have only had its six months...

I have a Miele, brilliant and reliable with a good guarantee. Bosch get the best reviews on Which.

I have a Ariston washer/dryer amd it breaks down every 6 months or so (now about 5 years old) we bought the extra cover which has been well worth it. My advice, don't by a Ariston and always buy the extra cover for washing machines (we were told by the sales girl when buying the washer plus oven, fridge etc.. that the only one really worth having was the washing machine cover as they break down so often, boy was she right!)

Good luck!

I've had my Siemens for 10yrs, it's only had one small repair (last year), very pleased with it.

I would check out the length of the wash cycles, my mum has a Bosch and the washes take an age (no quick wash button either).

Love love love my Miele.

We have Miele everything and have put Miele dishwasher and washing machine in the house we rent out also, hoping that it means we'll never have to replace/repair. Touch wood, in 3 years we've never had a single problem with them reported by the tenant.
Miele machines wash better IME as well as being immenseley long-lasting and hard wearing. My mum has one now (only the second machine she's ever had and she's now 70 - the previous one was a Hotpoint top loader) and she's had it 10 years. It still looks brand new and has never once needed a repair. I know you only have £250 to spend, but you can shop around for an ex-display, or otherwise beg, borrow or steal the extra to get one - you shouldn't need to buy a new one again for 20 years at least.

I've got the same as herbietea and it's great. I think it's a good idea to buy one that can do a bigger load. I bought ours from a small independent shop who did free delivery and fitted it and took the old one away. They were (because of free delivery) cheaper than anyone else.

We have a Miele washing machine, which is 10 years old and still going strong.

My husband works in the field of patents for household devices, and says that Miele stands out from all the rest in terms of quality of build and technical development. When I think about it, all the washing machines I ever used in rented accommodation were prehistoric, and were all Miele.

They are hugely expensive, but I think they are worth it; probably cheaper than the others if you keep it for 25 years!