Compare a diagnosed repair with a suitable replacement, not an unexplained fault with the cheapest advertised appliance. There is no universal age or percentage at which every appliance should be replaced.
Get comparable written totals
For the repair, ask for the diagnosed cause, parts specification, labour, diagnostic or call-out fee, any applicable tax, expected lead time and warranty scope. Confirm what you pay if you decline the repair. For replacement, include delivery, installation, old-unit removal and any cabinet or plumbing changes.
Use a percentage as a prompt, not a rule
A repair near half the replacement price deserves careful comparison, but that ratio is not a manufacturer requirement or a guarantee of value. Consider condition, previous faults, part availability, the remaining warranty and how long you expect to keep the appliance. Generic lifespan tables cannot predict your individual machine.
Check warranty before independent work
Some manufacturer policies cover selected components differently from labour or transport. Read the terms for the exact model and proof of purchase. If coverage may apply, contact the manufacturer before approving work that could affect a claim.
Compare running costs with measured information
Use the current appliance’s measured consumption where practical and the replacement’s energy label. Apply your actual electricity tariff and expected use. Do not assume that a newer model’s savings will recover its purchase price, or that a premium brand is automatically worth repairing.
Ask for an explanation you can check
Request why the proposed part fits the symptoms and whether further faults could change the quote. An estimate based only on a short message may change after inspection. Arrange a diagnosis or browse repair services.
Sources and scope
This is an editorial guide to owner checks, not a diagnosis of your appliance or a report of a repair we performed. Models and regions differ; your appliance manual and warranty terms take priority. Internal electrical, gas and sealed-system work requires an appropriately qualified professional.
