Most Reliable Combi Boiler Brand?

[Cletus Van Damme]

I've just bought a house with an old Thorn EMI back boiler. I used to have the same boiler in the house I just sold, these things are reliable as anything. I replaced it when it eventually failed. On inspection though it was my chimney that was letting in water causing it to short out. I'm sure if this had been discovered it would still be running. Still I fancy replacing it.

I replaced it with a Baxi Duo Tec. This was nearly faultless for 5 years, except for a leaking diverter valve, which wasn't that cheap. My parents have had the same boiler for around 10 years and its been faultless.

I know somebody with a Valiant for 10 years that has been faultless.

My brother got a Worcester Bosch installed that was nothing but trouble, needed all kinds replaced including the primary heat exchanger, within a short period of time. I have a feeling it was possibly badly installed, but I wouldn't really know.

I'm thinking Baxi or Valiant. I've read really good things about Intergas boilers. My issue is that they are not that common and could be hard to get repairs if it breaks. Worcester Bosch have a huge repair network, but this could be because they break more, the reliability is possibly just a fallacy, like some German cars, and is all brand selling etc, etc, etc., advertising, like so much crap today....

 

[andabby]

We replaced out Vokera after about 17 years this year, didnt have much bother with it, though it was starting to make rumbling noises.
Went with a Worcester Bosch, fills bath a lot quicker than old boiler, and noticed a big difference in how warm the house was.
Boxt installed it, they are online and seem to have a really good reputation, going on trustpilot.

 

[I like Skol]

Had a Bosch/Worcester fitted in the year 2000 and had nothing but trouble until it was replaced in 2012. Had to keep up a continuous repair contract with BG* as it was probably visited at least 2-3 times a year and often more. We asked around about replacement when carrying out some serious building alterations and everyone we spoke to said get Bosch Worcester. Despite my reservations I decided to take the advice as I suspected we had somehow just been stuck with a lemon previously and, dare I risk saying it, the new one has run faultlessly for the last 6 years and counting.

* Other repair contracts exist

 

[alicat]

Don't know about most reliable brand. My Vaillant has had one fault in past 13 years (new diverter valve needed). I'd get the same make again without hesitation.

 

[Drago]

Plus 1 for Vailant.

 

[swee'pea99]

I'd always understood that Vaillant were the ones to get - the Miele of the boiler world - but our fitter said that for London water, Worcestor Bosch was the better choice. It worked faultlessly (with zero maintenance) for about five or six years, then the heat exchanger went. We got a one year WB service contract after they pointed out it would only be about 30 quid more than getting the job done, under which they replaced pretty much the entire rest of the boiler six months later, effectively giving us a brand new boiler. Since not renewing the contract (why have a contract on a 'brand new boiler'?) it's continued to work faultlessly (with zero maintenance) for the last six or seven years. So yes, I rate Worcestor Bosch. If and when we have to replace it, that's where I'd start looking for a replacement.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Baxi are good.
They all last about 10 year now so gone are the days of 20 30 year life.
Parts are unobtainable after a while too.
I just had a new Glow-worm fitted ,its brilliant after my old Halstead.
My Halsted was brilliant after my old " cant remember the name now"

Service it every year if you want to keep the warranty valid.
My G-l has a 10 yr warranty ,maybe this offer is still running?

 

[slowmotion]

Worcester Bosch and Vaillant tend to come top in the Which? surveys but there will always be the odd one that gives people grief. Spare parts for most boilers can be found if you dig around on eBay and the like although, for obvious reasons, some unscrupulous types will tell you otherwise.

 

[gbb]

Just asked my son who's a BG engineer, Vaillant or Worcester Bosch, both are good. Why those ?...because they're more reliable. There's every incentive for someone who sells a maintenance package to fit the most reliable boilers

 

[Levo-Lon]

Buy cheap pay more applies here.
Cheaper the boiler the dearer the spares

 

[Paulus]

Had a Bosch/Worcester fitted in the year 2000 and had nothing but trouble until it was replaced in 2012. Had to keep up a continuous repair contract with BG* as it was probably visited at least 2-3 times a year and often more. We asked around about replacement when carrying out some serious building alterations and everyone we spoke to said get Bosch Worcester. Despite my reservations I decided to take the advice as I suspected we had somehow just been stuck with a lemon previously and, dare I risk saying it, the new one has run faultlessly for the last 6 years and counting.

* Other repair contracts exist

I had my old boiler replaced with a Worcester Bosch Greenstar 6 years ago and not a single problem so far.

 

[slowmotion]

I could post about the reliability of our Worcester Bosch, but if I did, it will pack up tonight so I can't possibly comment.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Had a Bosch/Worcester fitted in the year 2000 and had nothing but trouble until it was replaced in 2012. Had to keep up a continuous repair contract with BG* as it was probably visited at least 2-3 times a year and often more. We asked around about replacement when carrying out some serious building alterations and everyone we spoke to said get Bosch Worcester. Despite my reservations I decided to take the advice as I suspected we had somehow just been stuck with a lemon previously and, dare I risk saying it, the new one has run faultlessly for the last 6 years and counting.

* Other repair contracts exist

I would never of bought another one after that. But I guess your right it was probably a lemon. I've read that WB have a lot of plastic parts in them, then again most of the others do apparently.

Thanks though guys. I think I'm going to get a Vailiant. I've have never personally heard anything about them, I have WB, not much but something all the same...

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Plus 1 for Vailant.

Moi aussi.

 

[PaulSB]

Worcester Bosch has been faultless for 11 years.