Repair Guide

In 2013 we created our most successful blog. We brought to you our review of the best buy pressure washers available that year. Hopefully we guided people towards a good investment for your home outdoor cleaning needs. Obviously things have changed in the last year or two and some of the pressure washers on that list are no longer available. So we though we would create another list for 2015.

Why should you listen to our opinion of what constitutes a good quality jet cleaner I hear you ask? Well we have over 20 years experience selling spare parts and maintaining pressure washers and garden equipment, also we do not sell machines, only spare parts so our view is based entirely on whether a machine lasts well and on the internal components that you cannot see when you are parting with your hard earned cash.

The same rule of thumb applies try and buy a European machine where possible, the parts tend to be easier to come by when the inevitable happens, no matter how good the machine or how much you spend you will always need to service your unit, also accidents do happen and having to throw your machine away because you are unable to purchase a basic spare is not a good feeling.

*See bottom of page for jargon buster.

1. E130.3-9 P X-TRA- review

We mentioned on our last blog in 2013 that Nilfisk Alto are one of our favourite pressure washer brands. The E130.3-9 P X-TRA doesn't disappoint, this machine has many attributes usually reserved for commercial units including an air cooled aluminium pump (many sub £300 units have plastic pumps) an induction motor, pressure regulation and telescopic handle with sturdy and robust aluminium tubes. The E130 currently on sale at Argosfor £259.99 comes with some nifty accessories including a patio cleaner which on its own can retail at up to £60, a chemical bottle and spare nozzle. All spares are very easy to come by which makes keeping this machine in top condition for years to come will be easy. A pressure switch automatically cuts the machine off when you let go of the trigger to prolong motor life. Suitable for medium- heavy home use.

2. Mac Allister MPWP140ITS- review

MacAllister pressure washers are sold exclusively by B&Q and this is the pick of the range. Like the Nilfisk this also has an induction motor and is also European made. The unit has a very acceptable 140bar max pressure rated and produces 450ltrs an hour. Unusually for a home use pressure washer the MPWP140 comes with a steel lined hose, these are normally found on commercial machines costing upwards of £500. While this means a replacement should you need one will be expensive it does offer much more durability. A pressure switch automatically cuts the machine off when you let go of the trigger to prolong motor life. This unit comes with a cast pump, which although not quite as desirable as the aluminium of the E130 is still a preference to the plastic pumps on the cheaper Karcher machines. Accessory parts are easy to come by once the 2 year B&Q guarantee runs out.

3. Vax VPW2- review

We have all heard of Vax, famous for their vacuum cleaners, not so much for their pressure washers. This is the first time Vax has appeared on our recommended list, the reason is simple, they are not made by Vax, but a well known Italian pressure washer manufacturer which means the quality is good, and the price is even better. So if you’re looking to spend less than £100 (this unit at time of writing is reduced from £99.99 to £69.99 at Argos) The spec of this machine for the price is excellent with max pressure of 140 bar, working pressure will be lower at around 120bar and an impressive flow rate for the price at 430 ltrs an hour. The drawback is the use of a brush rather than induction motor, which means you are unlikely to get the same longevity out of this machine compared to the previous two reviews. That said if looked after you will get more than your moneys worth and with spare accessories available too it’s almost a no brainer if you have a smaller budget to work within.

4. Karcher G4.10- review

One of the key things to look for when buying a petrol powered pressure washer is the brand of engine. Many petrol pressure washers come with a generic Chinese made engine. While the quality of these is fine the problem comes when trying to do something simple like replace the carb or pull start, they are almost impossible to find. The Karcher G4.10 uses a Honda engine, spares are no problem and the quality is excellent. While the engine power on this unit is lower than some the cleaning quality as you would expect from Karcher is very good. The working pressure is 120 bar with a healthy flow rate of 420 ltrs per hour. As with any Karcher pressure washer every nut and bolt is available as a spare, this is one of the reasons you pay a premium price for their products. This unit is available at Screwfix for £399. 

5. Nilfisk P150.2- review

We have looked at a budget option in the Vax machine and some mid range and petrol options too. This is a top of the range home use machine. If you’re looking for something that is likely to last up to 15 or 20 years if looked after correctly, and you’re willing to spend the cash then this is your only option without moving into the world of commercial machines. Not only does this machine produce 150bar and a monstrous 610 ltrs per hour. It also comes equipped with a steel lined hose for extra durability, premium brass (rather than plastic) connections for nozzle accessories an aluminium pump and a 2900w induction motor. The P150 also has Nilfisks G5 gun and lance components standard, these are high grade parts, the gun for example has brass internals, another perk usually reserved for more expensive commercial machines This is the (near as damn it) maximum watt a household plug can take. Add all this to the superb build quality of Nilfisk (I have customers still servicing, and using happily their 30 year old hobby machine) and you have a pretty decent pressure washer. As ever with Nilfisk E and P range machines all spares are available if and when they are required. Retail £399

Some clarification on some terms mentioned in this blog in case you are not familiar:

Bar- This is a metric unit of pressure. 1 bar is equal to atmospheric pressure on earth; most home tap pressure is around 4 bar. Sometimes you see pressure measure in psi. 1 bar is equal to 14.5038psi.

Flow rate- Often overlooked in favour of bar but very very important. Flow rate is the amount of water your machine can let pass through it in a given time frame, usually measure in hours. The more water that can pass through your machine, the more concentrated your cleaning power.

Auto Stop Start- Abbreviated to Auto SS. This cuts your machine off when water is not passing through your unit to stop it overheating and wearing out the motor.