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Most people are unaware that the washing machine parts they buy could be inferior copies

A substantial percentage of the most common washing machine parts sold as spares or fitted by an engineer may not be genuine parts. Most customers have no idea that there are two types of parts available, and just assume that the washing machine parts supplied are made by the manufacturer. The non-genuine spare parts are sometimes called 'pattern' spare parts and are invariably cheaper. Sometimes significantly cheaper. They are made by independent companies competing with the manufacturer of the washing machine.

Some of the non-genuine parts are perfectly alright and I would fit them myself. Some are alright under certain circumstances, and others should be avoided totally. To find out which is which, read this page.

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What is the difference between genuine parts and non-genuine parts?

The difference in the parts is often that the non-genuine part isn't as well made, and at times more difficult to fit, because they are sometimes slightly different in design to circumnavigate copyright.

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How can I tell if a spare part is genuine or a cheaper copy?

The Hotpoint carbon brushes come in a specific packet ( a picture and their part numbers are shown here - Genuine Hotpoint & Creda carbon brushes ). Generally if a part is not genuine it will have words like "to fit" or "will suit" or it may have a part number beginning with parts of words like Pmp (for pump) or Cbs (for carbons). Another possibility is they may start with something like Hpt, or HP (for Hotpoint) or WP (for Whirlpool). Genuine part numbers tend to be just long meaningless numbers. If letters are used they rarely try to indicate what the part actually is with abbreviated letters and they don't normally need to give a clue as to the manufacturer because they are the manufacturer.

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Are non-genuine washing machine parts rubbish then?

It stands to reason that no one is going to copy a spare part and make it even better quality than the original, so at best, a non-genuine spare part can only be the same quality. The point of making the non-genuine spare part is to undercut the genuine spare parts in price, therefore the quality is often not as good as the original.

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Are non-genuine parts ever as good as the genuine part?

A genuine spare part for a washing machine is almost always better quality. Some non-genuine parts are almost as good, and sometimes virtually as good. There is an argument that manufacturers are greedy with their profit mark up and genuine parts are greatly overpriced. Some non-genuine parts are poor copies (particularly carbon brushes for Hotpoint) Some are even reputed to be made by the same companies that make them for the manufacturer.

Without the knowledge as to which is which, it makes sense to ask for the genuine part.

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Why do repairmen fit non-genuine parts and why do people sell them?

Mostly because of the extra profit they can make. Partially because they don't last as long in many cases, and that allows them to make more money later when they need replacing again. Occasionally, it's so they can reduce the cost of the repair to the customer.

The trouble is that many repairmen will fit the non-genuine parts, but charge the genuine price without telling you. If this is their policy then even 50 pence difference in price is an extra 50 pence to them and it all mounts up.

Buying washing machine parts from a supplier

Many shops will sell you non-genuine washing machine parts. If you are buying parts for a DIY repair and you want the genuine part, then specifically ask for the genuine spare part. If you just ask for, "a belt for a Hoover washing machine", or "carbon brushes for a Hotpoint washing machine", and they sell you cheap copies, they have technically done no wrong as the parts are made especially for the machine you mentioned - just not by Hoover or Hotpoint.

If you ask for, "a genuine Hoover belt" or, "a pair of genuine Hotpoint carbon brushes", then they are wrong to supply a non-genuine spare part without explaining the difference. Of course they may tell you there's no difference other than the non-genuine part being much cheaper. This can be true, but it is not usually the case, particularly with carbon brushes and some other parts (mentioned in the next section)

Genuine washing machine spare parts advice (Part 2)