I bought a cyclone v10 animal about 2 1/2 years ago. We already had an electric plug in vacuum but my wife found this heavy so we only use it upstairs where we have carpets, keeping the Dyson for the hard floors downstairs. We do not have a big house so it not overused. After just over 2 years the machine stopped working properly on the lowest power setting. Dyson's website suggested that there was a blockage. I did not find any blockage and thoroughly cleaned the machine without success. Strangely, if I put my hand over the air intake to simulate a blockage it worked properly. I phoned Dyson who said again that there must be a blockage and even listened to the problem but when I showed them the machine operated normally if I blocked the intake the lady then said I needed a new motor. The machine has now developed the same problem on the second power setting and only works on the highest one. After much investigation I found that this is an extremely common problem and the issue is the motor. The most disappointing thing I did find is that it has a life expectancy of only 2 years from new, extremely poor when considering that previously I had a Henry machine which was used throughout the house as well as the cars and was over 30 years old when I stopped using it because my wife wanted a lightweight machine. I shall be researching alternative machines but will not be buying another Dyson.