Thinking about a pressure washer because (a) I need one; (b) there's a hosepipe ban so reckon they might be being sold off cheap right now; and (c) it's Father's Day coming on 17 June so you never know, someone might even buy it for me.

Anyway, with that in mind, three issues arise.

First, what are the minimum specs I should be looking for in terms of watts, bar and l/hr, and are there other parameters to think about?

Second, are there brands to go for or avoid (and is Karcher all that good or just well promoted)?

Third, and the main reason for posting this rather than picking up the info from elsewhere, has anyone seen any bargains recently?

There is a heavily reduced "Nilfisk" on Amazon for £65 at the moment which produces 1400 watts, 110 bar and 440 litres per hour. Is that any good?
Nilfisk C110 3-5 PC X-Tra Pressure Washer Patio Cleaner Set with 1400 Watt Motor: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Or a Karcher one for £82 which produces 1400 watts, 110 bar and 360 litres per hour.

Karcher K2.300 T50 Air-Cooled Pressure Washer: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Or do I need to spend more?

Thanks.

Depends what you need it to do. Many people will easily get away with a £40 halfords special others need to blow a grand.

The Nilfisk looks like a decent entry level machine. But I've never had one so don't know how robust they are.

Sorry, to clarify, I would be using it mainly to clean our 500 and other car a couple of time a month (so would probably get a snow foam thing too). Beyond that it would be the usual periodic domestic outings for cleaning the patio once in a blue moon and that sort of stuff.

Then I'd go for the Nilfisk out of the 2. Doubt you really need to spend anymore for a "better" machine.

Just a quick update - I got the Nilfisk for Father's Day. Price is now reduced to £58 so a real bargain.

Have used it once (via a baucket due to the hose pipe ban) and am very happy with it so far.

So thanks, Venters, for the advice.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KEW-ALTO-...e_Cleaning&hash=item256d6f0424#ht_1124wt_1037
One of these next?

Venters said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KEW-ALTO-NILFISK-STIHL-RAC-SNOW-FOAM-VALETING-LANCE-KIT-CAR-CLEANING-WASH-WAX-/160749782052?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Car_Care_Cleaning&hash=item256d6f0424#ht_1124wt_1037
One of these next?

Click to expand...

Yes! Yes! Yes! The only thing stopping me is the grief I'll get off 'Er Indoors who will say that spending another £40 for an extra nozzle is ridiculous etc etc etc.

what I really need to do is find a shop that sells them in London/Herts where I can pop in and pay cash.....