How we work it out
Two things decide most repair-or-replace questions: the age of the appliance and the size of the repair.
- Small repairs, such as door seals, filters, switches and drain blockages, are worth doing on almost any appliance that otherwise works well.
- Mid-sized repairs, such as pumps, elements, thermostats, fans and motor parts, are worth doing on most appliances under about 10 years old.
- Big repairs, such as a fridge compressor, a gas leak or a washing machine's drum bearings, need a closer look on an older machine. Compare the repair price with a new one first.
Money isn't everything. A built-in oven or dishwasher that fits your kitchen exactly can be worth keeping for longer, and every repair keeps a heavy appliance out of a landfill. On the other side, a very old fridge or freezer can cost more to run than a new one.
If you do replace it, update your household contents policy with the new appliance at what it would cost to replace, so the cover keeps up with what's in your home. OneCompare compares household contents cover alongside car insurance. This is a referral only: we don't give insurance advice.
Want a real answer for your machine? Book a technician. No call-out fee when we repair it. If no repair is done, a R500 call-out applies.
Common questions
What is the 50/50 rule for appliance repair?
If an appliance is past half of its working life and the repair costs more than half the price of a new one, replacing it is usually the better call. Below either line, repairing usually wins. It's a guide, not a law: a well-made appliance can be worth fixing past that point. Put a repair price and a new price into the check above and it applies the rule for you.
How do you decide whether to repair or replace an appliance?
Look at three things: how old it is, how big the repair is, and what shape the rest of it is in. A worn seal, filter, pump, element or thermostat is worth fixing at almost any age. A big part on an old machine, such as a fridge compressor or a washing machine's drum bearings, is the case to weigh against a new one. The check above does the sum with you.
Should I repair an appliance that's still under the manufacturer's warranty?
Contact the manufacturer or the shop you bought it from first. A repair under the manufacturer's warranty may cost you nothing, and a repair by someone else could affect your claim. Once it's out of warranty, we can help: book a technician.
