Machine sucking soil in from grate

Yes it's likely to have built up inside the washing machine over the years. This article explains about how washing machines can end up caked in gunge and deposits - Smells and causes of grease, slime and black mould inside washing machines

Hi Andy, yeh it’s brittle and comes apart if you pull it

Could be although if it's a build up of limescale etc it should be able to be broken apart?

Hi Andy, thanks. Just wandering if you had any other theories regarding the damage. Im trying to find out as our landlord (who claims the machine, a Bosch classixx 1200 express, is 5 years old. The fd number however tells us it was made in 2005) is claiming that we must have washed boots covered in grit in the machine! We have barely washed muddy clothes in it.

Bit more info.....it started leaking very slightly on a cycle and a couple of washes later started making noise that sounded like gravel hitting the drain pump cover. Had a look at the drain pump and some small grit bits came out. The landlord had a look at it, told us it was a write off and that it was filled with a grit/gravel (ive attatched a photo), some the size of little pebbles that had damaged the tub causing it to leak and effect the electrics. I had a look at the material and it looks more like a calcified substance to me and most of them are so big they wont fit through the holes in the washing machine drum. Is this more likely due to a build up of limescale or similar. Any help would be most appreciated!