Our 12yr old Hotpoint Aquarius suffered the same fate last weekend
(suppose I shouldn't complain really!). I guessed it was the bearings
and with the help from a Haynes manual managed to take the drum out.
The back of the drum was a complete mess, rusty soapy gunge everywhere
with loose ball-bearings and a cracked drum spider arm etc. Couldn't
remove the bearings and decided the machine was past it.

When I was checking out the feasibility of repir (local spares shop
had the bearings for £20) I was told that to get a repair man to do it
would cost £100 so decided it was best to invest in a new machine.

Have since read a few forums and it seems there is definately a
problem with Hotpoint bearings but I guess 12yrs is OK (esp with 3
girls & 2 washes per day)

After a bit of research (Which?) decided on a Bosch Classixx 2063 (Max
spin=1000rpm). It was a similar, slightly higher spec, machine which
came out top for ease of use, performance and should be reliable. I
reckon it is a mistake to run machines at more than 1000rpm because of
the extra stress on the bearings and other bits.

Miele are maybe the best but are twice the price. Bosch 2063 should do
the trick.