I've been using a slightly earlier version of this Braun blender for over a decade and it's still going strong, which is slightly amazing given that I'm not exactly gentle with kitchen appliances... I have heard of the motors burning out but there have been no such problems with my one; perhaps you need to be careful not to over-strain the mechanism by trying to chop or blend too many solid items. Anyway; mine is used two or three times each week to prepare soups and smoothies, and with fruit and cooked veg it works brilliantly. The instructions recommend that you use the blender in short bursts, and shake it to free off any lumps that form, and this method has been very effective.
The unit separates into two halves for cleaning, so you don't need to put the electric motor part anywhere near water (just wipe it over with a damp cloth). The actual mixer attachment section can be immersed but you do need to make sure that it has drained fully, as it can end up containing water. The `blades' can be spun in either direction to release any jammed food, and to share the wear-and-tear on both sides of the blade. The standard attachment is great for blending / mixing, but I wouldn't recommend using it for chopping - there are plenty of additional, tougher attachments which you can buy to chop raw veg or meat. There are also whisks and other attachments - it can be very versatile, although the costs start getting high if you buy lots of different attachments. I haven't needed any, to be honest, so it would be worth giving the basic set-up a go before splashing out on extras.
I much prefer using a hand-blender like this instead of a food processor, which seems to involve a lot of mess and additional washing up. The hand-blender can be used in the pan or mixing bowl, without needing to get anything else dirty. Brilliant!
8/10