Repair or replace? How to decide when an appliance breaks
Most weeks we get a call that starts the same way. It has died again, is it worth fixing or should I just buy a new one? It is a fair question, and the honest answer comes down to three things: how old the appliance is, what the repair costs against a new one, and whether you might still be covered by your consumer guarantee rights.
Here is how we would think it through.
The 50 percent rule
The rule of thumb most repairers use is simple. If the repair is going to cost more than about half the price of an equivalent new appliance, replacing it usually makes more sense. A new drain pump in an $1,800 washing machine is an easy yes. A $400 control board in a $600 budget microwave is not.
The rule bends with age. On an appliance only a few years old, spending up to half the replacement cost to get another decade out of it is money well spent. On a fifteen-year-old machine, even a cheaper repair can be throwing good money after bad, because the next fault is rarely far behind.
Know how long it should have lasted
Before you decide, it helps to know what is normal. CHOICE publishes the life expectancy of common household appliances and the age at which they typically become cheaper to replace than repair. Washing machines, for instance, are generally expected to last around ten to eleven years, with front loaders often tipping into replace-not-repair territory from about seven or eight years on.
As a rough guide, most major appliances are built to give ten to fifteen years. If yours has fallen well short of that, a repair is usually worth it. If it is past its time, weigh the repair carefully.
Do not forget running costs
A working appliance is not always a cheap one. An old fridge running a tired compressor and worn door seals can cost a fair bit more to run than a modern equivalent. Fridges and freezers are on all day every day, so an inefficient one quietly adds up on the power bill. The government energy rating site lets you compare estimated running costs, which is worth a look if your fridge is both old and struggling.
That said, a fridge that has stopped cooling is not automatically a write-off. Plenty of cooling faults come down to a single fridge part rather than the whole unit, and the same goes for a washing machine that will not spin. Get it diagnosed before you assume the worst.
If it is newer, check your rights first
Here is the part people miss. Under Australian Consumer Law, appliances come with automatic consumer guarantees that sit on top of any manufacturer warranty. Goods have to be of acceptable quality and last a reasonable time given what you paid. A $2,000 fridge that fails at three years may well be covered even though the twelve-month warranty has expired.
The ACCC is clear that these guarantees can apply well beyond the warranty period, and that manufacturers must provide spare parts and repair facilities for a reasonable time. If your appliance is relatively new and has failed early, talk to the retailer about a free repair, replacement or refund before you pay anyone.
Where we come in
Most of the time a repair is the sensible call, and it keeps a heavy old machine out of landfill into the bargain. We diagnose the fault, tell you what the part and labour will cost, and you decide with real numbers in front of you rather than a guess. The assessment fee is $125 across the Illawarra and $145 further out on the South Coast, and you get the quote before any work starts.
If the honest answer is that it is not worth fixing, we will tell you that too. There is no sense charging you to patch up something on its last legs. If your machine is newer and still under warranty, our note on using an authorised repairer is worth a read first.
Not sure which way to go? Book a repair or call us on 02 4229 3777 and we will take a look.
