It's one of the most common questions we get on a diagnostic visit: is this worth fixing? The honest answer depends on three things — the appliance's age, the cost of the repair relative to replacement, and how essential that specific appliance is to your household.
The 50% rule
A widely used industry guideline: if the repair cost is less than 50% of the price of a comparable new unit, and the appliance is less than half-way through its expected lifespan, repair is usually the better financial decision.
Typical appliance lifespans
- Refrigerators: 12–15 years
- Washers: 10–13 years
- Dryers: 12–14 years
- Dishwashers: 9–12 years
- Ranges and ovens: 13–17 years
When replacement usually makes more sense
If the appliance is near the end of its expected lifespan, has needed multiple repairs already, or the repair involves a major sealed-system or main control board failure on a lower-cost unit, replacement is often the smarter long-term choice.
When repair almost always wins
Premium and luxury appliances — Sub-Zero, Wolf, Miele, Thermador — are specifically engineered for long-term repairability, and their replacement costs are high enough that repair remains the better value in the vast majority of cases, even for significant component failures.
The best move is always to get an honest, itemized diagnosis before deciding. A good technician will tell you when replacement is the smarter call, even if it means a smaller invoice.