Is Your Appliance Worth Repairing? An Honest Guide
When an appliance breaks down, you're faced with a decision: repair or replace? It's not always straightforward, and there's plenty of conflicting advice out there.
After 60 years of repairing and selling appliances in Wirral, we've learned a thing or two about when a repair makes sense – and when you're better off putting that money towards something new.
Here's our honest guide.
The 50% Rule
A good starting point is the 50% rule: if the repair costs more than 50% of what a new equivalent would cost, it's usually time to replace.
But this isn't the whole picture. You also need to consider:
- The age of the appliance
- How much life it has left
- The availability of spare parts
- Energy efficiency differences
Appliance by Appliance
Washing Machines
Average lifespan: 8-12 years
Worth repairing:
- Door seal replacement
- Pump replacement
- Drum bearings if the machine is under 6 years old
- Carbon brushes on older motors
Consider replacing if:
- The drum bearings have gone on a machine over 8 years old
- The drum spider (the part that holds the drum) has corroded
- You're getting repeated electrical faults
- It's using significantly more water/energy than modern machines
Tumble Dryers
Average lifespan: 10-15 years
Worth repairing:
- Belt replacement
- Heating element
- Thermostat issues
Consider replacing if:
- The drum is damaged or badly worn
- It's a vented dryer and you could switch to a more efficient heat pump model
- Multiple components are failing
Fridge Freezers
Average lifespan: 10-15 years
Worth repairing:
- Thermostat replacement
- Door seal replacement
- Fan motor
Consider replacing if:
- The compressor has failed
- There's a refrigerant leak
- It's over 12 years old (newer models are significantly more efficient)
- The inner lining is cracked or damaged
Dishwashers
Average lifespan: 8-12 years
Worth repairing:
- Pump replacement
- Door latch/seal
- Spray arm replacement
Consider replacing if:
- The control board has failed on an older machine
- There's rust in the tub
- Multiple components are failing together
Ovens & Cookers
Average lifespan: 12-20 years
Worth repairing:
- Element replacement
- Thermostat
- Door seal
- Fan motor
Consider replacing if:
- The enamel lining is badly damaged
- The control panel has failed on an older model
- Parts are no longer available
Questions to Ask Yourself
1. How old is the appliance?
If it's past two-thirds of its expected lifespan and needs a major repair, replacement often makes more sense.
2. Has it needed repairs before?
One repair is normal. Multiple repairs in quick succession usually signal the end is near.
3. Can you still get parts?
For very old or obscure brands, parts can be impossible to find or prohibitively expensive. We keep parts for most major brands, but there are limits.
4. How does it compare to modern equivalents?
A 15-year-old fridge freezer might cost you £80+ more per year to run than a new A-rated model. Over 10 years, that's £800 – often more than the cost of replacement.
5. Are you happy with it?
Sometimes an appliance works fine but doesn't meet your needs anymore. If you've been wanting a larger fridge or a quieter washing machine, a breakdown might be the push you need.
What We'll Always Tell You
When you bring an appliance to us or we come out to diagnose a problem, we'll always be straight with you:
- If it's a simple fix, we'll repair it
- If it's borderline, we'll explain your options and let you decide
- If it's not worth repairing, we'll tell you – we'd rather you spent your money wisely than pay for a repair that doesn't make sense
We've built our reputation over 60 years by being honest. We'd rather lose a repair job and keep your trust than take your money for something that won't last.
Bring It In or Book a Visit
For smaller appliances like microwaves, vacuums, or GHD straighteners, you can bring them into our Birkenhead shop for a free assessment – no call-out fee, no obligation.
For larger appliances, we offer home visits across Wirral. We'll diagnose the problem, give you a clear quote, and let you decide.
Grange Electrical
39 Oxton Road, Birkenhead, CH41 2QQ
0151 652 9515
Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-4pm