Handsome Jack wrote

Recently I had to replace a washing machine. As always nowadays, it came
with a moulded plug. As the electrical socket is above the worktop, I had
to cut this plug off, feed the cable through the (existing) hole in the
worktop, and put on a new plug (non-moulded, obviously).

I can't help feeling this would be disapproved of by TPTB, but what else
could I possibly do?

Make a bigger hole where the plug goes thru.

What is the point of moulded plugs when one usually has to cut them off
and replace them?

I've never had to do that and most don't need to do that.