Repair or replace? How to decide when an appliance breaks
Most appliance breakdowns come down to one worn part, and fixing it costs far less than a new machine. But some faults aren't worth the money. Here is a simple way to weigh it up.
Questions to ask
- How old is it? Under about eight years, repair is often sensible.
- What's the fault? A pump, filter, hose, seal, door lock or heating element is usually a good repair. A failed drum bearing or sealed system on an old budget machine is a worse one.
- What would a comparable new one cost, including delivery, installation and removing the old one?
- Is the model reliable, and are parts available?
A rough rule
If the repair costs well under half of a comparable new appliance and the machine is otherwise in good shape, repair usually wins. If the repair costs close to the price of a new one, or the appliance is old and has had several faults, replacing starts to make sense.
Ask for a clear answer
A good engineer will tell you plainly if a machine isn't worth fixing. Ask for the cost of the repair before work starts, and decide from there.