Warning issued to one in five UK households over 'broken' electrical item

Millennials are the most likely to have a go at DIY repairs - while Gen Z are most likely to shop second-hand when looking for a replacement item, the study has also discovered.

Just one in five would try to repair a broken electrical item, rather than replacing it, a study has found. Millennials are the most likely to have a go at DIY repairs - while Gen Z are most likely to shop second-hand when looking for a replacement item, the study has also discovered.

Only 22 per cent would attempt to mend an appliance if it broke. Instead, 19 per cent simply chuck broken items out, such as toasters and kettles, while 36 per cent recycle them. The survey, of 2,000 shoppers, was commissioned by Amazon, which has opened a “Second Chance Store” at the Brunswick Centre in central London until December 12, selling returned and repaired items for the festive shopping season.

Sam Littlejohn, head of returns and repairs at the company, said: “Some of the most popular products that people search for on our store, are also available as quality, second-hand items. We sold more than four million used and refurbished products online last year, as shoppers recognise their quality and value-for-money, and appreciate they can buy with confidence with us.

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“While it’s great to see how, as a nation, we’re putting pre-loved first, if we want to be really thrifty, we should consider repairing items when possible, too. And if you really can’t mend it, Amazon Second Chance can help people find ways to recycle and trade in electronics.”

Amazon’s Sam Littlejohn added: “When you buy second-hand, you're not just saving money, you are also giving a product a second chance. The beauty of second-hand shopping is that it's like a treasure hunt. You never know what unique and valuable items you'll discover while giving a second life to pre-loved goods.”

Millennials are the most open to learning how to repair a broken tech item – with 45 per cent having visited a repairs café in the past 12 months, while 72 per cent have successfully followed a DIY repairs video on YouTube.