How many years should a washing machine, fridge or dishwasher function before it conks out? And how easy will they be to repair?

Anyone in the market for a household appliance is likely to have been plagued by the mystery surrounding these questions, with modern whitegoods and other large items seemingly breaking down earlier than in past generations.

But what if manufacturers were forced to stick labels – similar to energy-efficiency stars – onto their appliances advertising their expected lifespan and indicating how easy it is to disassemble and source spare parts for repair?

A growing number of consumer advocates are pushing for Australian authorities to bring in such laws to help shoppers make more informed decisions, with a broader hope that the transparency measures would keep app

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