Repair or Replace Your Appliance?
Before you replace an appliance, make sure you've considered the true cost of replacement — and whether the fault could still be economically repaired.
Is Your Appliance Really Beyond Repair?
I'm Tony Deary. I've spent more than 40 years diagnosing and repairing domestic kitchen appliances, and I don't believe an appliance should be replaced simply because it is getting older.
The important questions are what has actually failed, what the repair is likely to cost, the overall condition of the appliance, whether suitable parts remain available and what it would really cost to replace it.
If I believe repairing your appliance makes sense, I'll tell you. If I believe further expenditure would be poor value, I'll tell you that too.
Built-In & Integrated Appliances Are Often Worth Repairing
When comparing repair and replacement costs, don't compare the repair bill with the purchase price of a new appliance alone.
Replacing a built-in or integrated appliance can involve installation, removal of the old appliance and unpacking or preparation charges before you've even switched the new machine on.
That means an integrated appliance can often justify a repair that might initially appear expensive when compared only with the advertised price of a replacement machine.
Example Replacement Costs
Age Alone Doesn't Mean an Appliance Needs Replacing
I don't automatically condemn an appliance because it is 8, 10 or even 20 years old. Over the years I've repaired appliances that are 20 and even 25+ years old, including machines that had previously been written off or considered beyond economical repair.
An older appliance with one repairable fault can sometimes make far more sense to keep than replacing an otherwise good machine simply because of its age.
What matters is the actual fault, the overall condition of the appliance, the cost of the repair and whether suitable parts can still be obtained.
Age becomes more important when major components have failed, several age-related faults are developing together, or suitable replacement parts are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.
When Should You Consider Replacing an Appliance?
Every appliance should be assessed individually. These are some of the major failures I consider when advising customers whether repairing or replacing makes more sense.
Washing Machines
Many washing machine faults are worth repairing. On an older machine, however, major drum, bearing or tub failure can change the economics considerably.
Possible drum or bearing failure symptoms:
- Loud rumbling or roaring during spin
- Grinding or scraping noises
- Excessive movement of the inner drum
- Noticeable play when lifting the drum by hand
- Drum sitting unusually low or out of position
- Water leakage associated with bearing or tub failure
These symptoms need diagnosing properly. Noise alone doesn't automatically mean the drum assembly has failed.
Dishwashers
Dishwashers can remain economical to repair for many years. Drain pumps, valves, door components and many other faults can be relatively straightforward repairs.
On an older dishwasher, an expensive heat pump, circulation pump or electronic control board can require a closer look at the machine's age, brand, overall condition and parts cost.
Fridge Freezers
Fans, sensors, heaters and some electrical or control faults can make perfectly sensible repairs.
Compressor or sealed-system failures are more significant. On an older fridge freezer, the cost and availability of the required components need to be considered carefully before proceeding.
Electric Ovens & Cookers
Electric ovens are often very repairable. A failed element, thermostat, fan, switch or similar component doesn't normally mean the complete oven needs replacing.
Replacement becomes more worth considering when an older oven develops several major faults together, particularly when multiple expensive or obsolete components are required.
Tumble Dryers
Many heating, thermostat, sensor, belt and electrical faults can be repaired economically.
Significant drum, bearing or structural failure on an older dryer can make replacement more sensible, particularly when combined with other age-related problems.
Built-In Microwaves
Built-in microwaves can be expensive to replace, particularly when the existing appliance matches other kitchen appliances or cabinetry.
An older machine requiring an expensive electronic control board or several major components may be less economical to repair — especially where the original parts have been discontinued.
Been Told the Part Is Discontinued or No Longer Available?
Give Tony Deary a Try Before You Throw Your Appliance Away
If you've been told your appliance can't be repaired because it is too old, the genuine manufacturer part has been discontinued or the required component is listed as obsolete, that doesn't always mean the appliance has reached the end of its useful life.
I've encountered appliances that have been written off because the genuine manufacturer part was no longer available, even though a suitable alternative could still be sourced.
For some appliances, good-quality compatible or pattern parts continue to be available after the manufacturer has stopped supplying the original. In my experience, I've even encountered replacement components that have provided a longer service life than the original genuine part.
I will personally explore every reasonable avenue to obtain a suitable spare part to keep your appliance in use.
That can include specialist suppliers, discontinued old stock and, where appropriate, good-quality compatible or pattern replacement parts.
Any alternative component I consider must be suitable and appropriate for the appliance. If I don't believe a repair is sensible or safe, I'll tell you.
Before You Give Up on Your Appliance – Ask Tony
Already been told your appliance can't be repaired because the part is obsolete, discontinued or unavailable?
Before spending hundreds of pounds on a replacement, use my Ask an Engineer service. Send me the appliance make, model number, details of the fault or the part you've been told is unavailable, together with any useful photographs.
With more than 40 years' appliance repair experience, I'll take a look and tell you whether I believe there are other realistic avenues worth exploring.
What Information Should I Send?
Not Sure Whether to Repair or Replace?
I'll give you practical advice based on the actual fault, appliance age, overall condition, parts availability and likely repair cost — not simply the age of the machine.