Repair or replace? A 30-second decision guide
The half-price rule plus typical lifespans, applied to your appliance and the quote you were given.
The rule most technicians use: repair if the quote is under 50% of the price of a comparable new unit and the appliance has not reached its typical lifespan. Above 50%, or on an appliance at end of life, replacement is usually the better value — especially for a fridge compressor or a front-loader bearing job.
Typical lifespans used by the guide
| Appliance | Typical lifespan | The repair that usually decides it |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 10–15 years | Compressor / sealed system |
| Freezer | 12–20 years | Compressor |
| Washing machine | 10–14 years | Tub bearings (front-load) |
| Dryer | 12–15 years | Drive motor |
| Dishwasher | 9–12 years | Control board plus pump |
| Oven / range | 13–17 years | Control board or glass cooktop |
Three things the rule misses
- Energy use. An old refrigerator or freezer can cost noticeably more to run than a new one — worth adding to the "replace" side.
- What fails next. One failed part on an old machine often signals others are close behind; ask the company what they saw inside.
- Time without it. A same-day repair beats a week waiting for delivery when it is the only fridge in the house.
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Written by the ApplianceRepair7 team from field-common faults for this appliance and brand. Updated when new information comes in. We publish no prices — the company you are connected with quotes after diagnosis.
Published 2026-09-22 · Updated 2026-09-23