Repair or replace an old appliance
How to decide whether an old AC, fridge, washing machine or microwave is worth repairing, with the numbers you need in front of you.
- Visit charge: told to you on the call, before we visit
- Warranty: 90 days on the work done
Should I repair my old appliance or buy a new one?
A common rule of thumb is to replace it when the repair would cost more than half the price of a new one, more so if the appliance is near the end of its usual life. Repair usually makes sense for parts like a capacitor, fan motor, thermostat, drain pump or door switch on a machine that is otherwise sound. Get a diagnosis and a written quote first, so you compare real numbers.
The 50 percent rule, and age
Find out what a new appliance of the same size and type costs. If the repair quote is more than about half of that, a new one is often the better use of money.
Age changes the picture. A large repair on a young appliance can be worth it. The same repair on an old one may only hold off the next breakdown, because other parts are wearing out too.
Repairs that are usually worth it
- AC: capacitor, fan motor, a gas leak at a joint, a blocked drain
- Fridge: thermostat, door gasket, defrost heater or timer, a fan
- Washing machine: drain pump, inlet valve, belt, door lock
- Microwave: door switch, fuse, turntable motor
- Any appliance: a loose wire, a burnt plug or a tripping connection
Signs replacing makes more sense
- The compressor has failed on an old fridge or AC with a rusted body
- It has broken down several times in the past year
- Rust has eaten through the frame, the tub or the cabinet
- The part is no longer made for your model
- It uses far more electricity than a new star-rated model would
How we help you decide
Our technician diagnoses the fault and tells you the repair cost before any work. The visit charge is told to you on the call, before we visit. If the repair is not worth it on an old unit, we say so, and you decide.
Typical part prices are on our spare parts prices page, and repairs carry 90 days on the work done.
Questions
Is a compressor replacement worth it?
On a fairly new fridge or AC with a sound body, often yes. On an old unit with rust and other worn parts, the cost is usually close to a new appliance. See refrigerator compressor repair.
Does a new appliance save electricity?
A new star-rated AC or fridge can use less power than a very old one, which matters for appliances that run for many hours. It rarely pays for itself on electricity alone, so weigh it with the repair cost and the age.
What happens to the old appliance?
Old appliances should go to a collector or recycler for e-waste, not to the bin. Many sellers take back the old unit when they deliver a new one.
Last updated 2026-11-08
Book a technician
Pick the appliance, the problem and a time that suits you. It takes about two minutes. Or call and we will book it for you.