Microwave in my flat has stopped working. What is likely reason?

Question

Its a Matsui, just a microwave with turntable but no grill. It cost me £15. I have had it for 18 months and it has worked excellently throughout that time except the internal light failed a long time ago but that did not stop turntable going round and it has always cooked everything well. But now if I switch on nothing happens whatsoever except it dings OK if I press the door open button. Turntable no longer rotates and food remains stone cold. If I plug radio into its socket that works OK so AC mains input seems to be OK. I checked fuse and that has not blown..

But recently a young guy moved in as my flatmate. He says it just stopped working while I was at work when he was trying to heat something and he denies he misused it. He says it is entirely my fault because inside is filthy and I have failed to clean it for months and it is my obligation to get a new one not his. There are indeed quite a few food stains inside but they have been there a long time and food has always heated up OK up to now.

Anybody any idea what could be wrong and is it worth trying to get repaired or should I just get a new one.

Answer 1

Sort answer: It's broken and you need a new one.

He could have broken the turntable if he put something in there that was too big but the interior light failing prior to it breaking down is a clue to there being a pre-existing fault - the light should have lasted for years.

If you're broke you could possibly take it back for exchange since it's a probable "inherent" fault - it was faulty when you bought it. It would cost a lot more than £15 to have it repaired so buy a new one.

Answer 2

It cost you £15 and has lasted for 18 months?

That's nothing short of miraculous.  What more do you want?

Answer 3

might need a fuse in the plug and give it a clean it desrerves it after being with you so long

Answer 4

As you only paid £15 for it its not going to be worth getting it repaired as it will cost you more than you paid for it. Buy a new one.

Answer 5

I think it's time to replace it mate.  

Answer 6

It is probable magnetron has failed which may also have caused failure of electric motor. The cost of getting these replaced + labour would be around £30 at least and a repair with somebody like Comet will almost certainly mean you and your unfortunate flatmate will be without a microwave for a fortnight or more, as parts will probably need to be ordered from Japan .

It is also clearly your fault not your flatmate's as you have been too idle to clean it for months, as you admit, and too lazy to even put a new bulb in, and you say your flatmate has only recently moved in so it is clearly not his fault but yours. Go and get a new one and next time make sure you keep it clean and apologise to your flatmate..