My 3 year-old, pretty much top of the range Bosch (at the time at least)
washing machine started making loud noises when running. They are
particualrly loud during the phase immediatelly before the final spin - I
assume it is called something like "balancing the load" or similar. It is
basically when it spin very slowly from side to side for a short while. It
also makes quite a noise during final
spin.

Any idea what is going on?

I really cannot see myself opening the thing to try and fix it myself, but
are washing machines in general worth fixing in terms of value for money?

PS: the machine has had a hard life so far with two young children in the
house - probably an average of at least one wash a day since it was bought.

Thanks a lot for any advice.