Miele W5740 - Broken Door Seal

[oatlands10]

I bought a Miele W5740 in December 2011 from an approved Miele centre. At that time the machine qualified for a free 10 year parts and labour warranty which I duly registered.

2 Days ago as I went to remove clean clothes at the end of the cycle, a small section of the rubber door seal came away. Its probably only 1 or 1.5cm long, from the front outer section that goes up against the glass window. I have attached a photo showing the section that has broken and the whole it left behind in case that is useful.

I rang Miele expecting this to be covered by their 10 year warranty but they said it is a maintenance issue not a mechanical issue and therefore I have to pay for both parts and call out.

I am very disappointed that this has happened to a machine that is only 3 years old. I wondered whether this is a common problem in washing machines (generally or specifically this brand)? I would be grateful if anyone with some knowledge of this field could advise whether the response from the Company was the usual response or whether it is worth speaking to them again about it?

Any words of wisdom gratefully received.

Thanks

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

This looks like the piece has been ripped out with force. It's unusual but I have seen it before. I would have thought the warranty covers all functional parts except things caused by wear and tear. To be honest my best guess is that it's usually caused when a part of laundry gets trapped between the door glass and door seal and the machine goes into spin, which wouldn't be covered. How do you think it was caused?

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

I once went to a washer where their dog had bitten a piece off like that

[oatlands10]

Hi

I don't have a dog so we can rule that one out!

I don't know how it was caused. The washing machine is in the garage so I'm not watching it as it goes through its cycles. The load was quite a small one, some T shirts and leggings/jogging trousers. I certainly hadn't noticed a tear appearing, I was completely amazed when the piece fell out as I opened the door.

Thanks

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

To be honest I'm not surprised a manufacturer would say it's not a fault on the seal, it's not normal for that to happen, something may have rotted it or caused it to go soft and then stick to the door glass maybe or to tear as mentioned earlier.

[edhorwood]

Is the garage heated at all? Freezing weather, then warm summers can take its toll on wet rubber.