Repair or Replace Your Appliance?
A practical way to decide, using published life spans and Consumer Reports guidance.
The 50% guideline
Consumer Reports' long-standing rule of thumb: don't spend more than 50% of the cost of a comparable new product repairing an old one. CR now offers an interactive repair-or-replace tool that also weighs the appliance's age, original price and how fast that type of product depreciates — so a pricier appliance can be worth a bigger repair.
Typical life spans (AHAM estimates)
| Appliance | Average useful life |
|---|---|
| Top-freezer refrigerator | 14 years |
| Side-by-side refrigerator | 11.1 years |
| Top-load washer | 11.2 years |
| Front-load washer | 9.1 years |
| Dryer | 13.4 years |
| Dishwasher | 12 years |
| Gas range | 14.2 years |
| Electric range | 11.6 years |
Source: Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers 2019 estimates, as reported by the Seattle Times.
Usually repair when…
- The appliance is well under its typical life span.
- The fix is a common part (drain pump, igniter, door switch, water inlet valve, belt).
- It's still under warranty, or the problem is covered by a recall.
Usually replace when…
- It's near or past its typical life span and the repair is a major component (sealed system, drum bearing, main control board).
- The repair quote is more than about half the price of a comparable new unit.
Before you pay for either
Check the manufacturer's warranty and search the CPSC recall database for your model. A diagnostic visit from a local tech gives you a real repair price to plug into the decision.
FAQ
How long should a refrigerator last?
AHAM's estimates are about 14 years for a top-freezer model and about 11 years for a side-by-side.
Is it worth repairing a 10-year-old washer?
Often not if it's a major repair: Consumer Reports puts a washer's life expectancy close to 10 years on average. A cheap fix like a drain pump can still be worthwhile.
Sources
- Consumer Reports — When to repair and when to replace (50% guideline)
- Consumer Reports — Repair or replace tool
- Consumer Reports — Repair or replace your broken washing machine
- Seattle Times / Liz Weston — AHAM appliance life-span estimates
- U.S. CPSC — Recalls
General information, not a quote or professional advice. Last reviewed October 2026.