Same Machine, Different Internals

Manufacturers often keep the same Model Number for years to avoid updating retail displays and websites. However, the internal components change frequently.

This means one model can have dozens of versions, each requiring different parts based on its Product Code or Serial Number. For an end-user, this is understandably confusing, but it's vital information for a successful repair.

The Odds of an Error

We’ve been doing this for decades. We’ve seen (and made!) every mistake and learned how to avoid them. When you use our expert lookup service, we significantly reduce the risk of receiving the wrong part.

Changes To Spare Parts

We also see, very often in some cases, changes to spare parts and this can cause confusion for some people unfamiliar with how servicing and spare parts work.

All manufacturers buy in spare parts made by third parties for them and, on occasion (some more than others) they will switch suppliers or the suppliers will change or modify the components over time. That means that the "genuine spare part may well not be identical to the one used in production.

That's perfectly normal and perfectly okay in almost all instances athough, although we do advise people of these sorts of changes wherever we know about them. We're bot often informed unless there's a significant alteration.

Modifications

In other cases, you will see modified parts and there can be any number of reasons for that to be required, but commonly it will be:

• Improved design
• Safer design
• Solving an issue or problem

Manufacturers can and do change parts all the time, and when they do, you'll normally find that the older, original version of the part you can't get anywhere, you'll only get the new version of it.

Most modifications are relatively straightforward and reasonably easy to understand and implement, but there are some that can be quite involved and complex. So, it varies on what sort of skill level is required to effect the replacement of the spare part and repair the appliance.

We always advise on this where we know there are changes and advise on how hard we think it is to do the job.

This is because, for some, such as Smeg clocks, oven glass panels and more, will require extra spare parts to be replaced along with the actual part that is faulty. What's required can vary depending on the exact model and production of the appliance. In other words, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer in many cases, meaning that specific technical advice is a requirement.

These are often the primary reasons that we encourage people to contact us for help. 

We know this stuff and know how to look up the exact information you need for the exact appliance you have.