Repair or Replace? How Long Appliances Last, and When to Fix Them

Nobody wants to spend money on a dying appliance, and nobody wants to throw away a good one over a cheap part. Here's how we help customers decide, with typical lifespans and a simple rule of thumb.

Written by the Absolute Repairs & HVAC technicians, from repairs we do every week across Gauteng · Updated 20 October 2026

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Quick answer

As a rule of thumb, repair an appliance if it's less than about halfway through its typical lifespan and the repair costs less than about half the price of a comparable new one. Most fridges last 10 to 15 years, washing machines 8 to 12, dishwashers 8 to 10, stoves and ovens 12 to 15, tumble dryers 10 to 12, and split aircons 10 to 15. Common faults like pumps, door locks, fans, elements, thermostats and seals are almost always worth repairing.

How long appliances typically last

Appliance	Typical lifespan	Usually worth repairing
Fridge / freezer	10–15 years	Fans, thermostats, sensors, defrost parts, seals, and compressors on newer fridges
Washing machine	8–12 years	Drain pumps, door locks, brushes, belts, inlet valves
Dishwasher	8–10 years	Drain pumps, inlet valves, seals, elements
Stove / oven	12–15 years	Elements, plate switches, thermostats, fans, igniters
Tumble dryer	10–12 years	Elements, thermal fuses, belts, rollers
Split aircon	10–15 years	Capacitors, fan motors, drain issues, leak repair and regas

These are typical ranges. Load-shedding surges, hard water, heavy use and poor ventilation can shorten them, and good maintenance lengthens them. Premium brands like Miele and Smeg are built to last longer and are more often worth repairing.

The 50% rule

If a repair costs more than about half the price of a comparable new appliance, and the appliance is past about half its typical lifespan, replacing it usually makes more sense. If either is not true, repairing is usually the better deal. Not just for your wallet, but because a repaired appliance doesn't go to landfill.

When to lean towards replacing

Several parts are failing at once, or it's the second big repair in a year.
The fridge or aircon uses old R22 gas and needs regassing.
Rust has gone through the drum, the tub or the cabinet.
Parts are no longer available for that model.

When to lean towards repairing

It's a single, common part: a pump, lock, fan, element, sensor or seal.
It's a built-in or premium appliance that would be expensive to replace, or the cabinetry is built around it.
The damage came from a power surge. That's often one board or fuse, and possibly covered by insurance. See our surge damage reports.

Real examples from our jobs

A Defy side-by-side in Mooikloof with a broken fan blade: a small part, fixed the same day.
An LG tumble dryer in Kempton Park with worn roller bearings: well worth repairing.
A Smeg oven in Randburg with a burnt control board: a bigger repair, but far cheaper than a new Smeg.

How we help you decide

Our technician diagnoses the fault for a flat R350 call-out and gives you a fixed repair price. If the numbers point to replacing, we'll say so. You decide with the facts in front of you. See also our appliance repair cost guide.

Frequently asked questions

Should I repair or replace my fridge?

Repair it if it's under about 7 to 8 years old and the repair costs less than half the price of a comparable new fridge. Fans, thermostats, sensors and defrost parts are almost always worth fixing.

How long should a washing machine last?

Typically 8 to 12 years. Pumps, door locks, brushes and belts are cheap repairs. Bearings or a control board on an old budget machine may not be worth it.

Is it worth repairing an old appliance?

Often, yes. Older appliances are frequently simpler and well built. The 50% rule helps: if the repair is less than half the price of a new one, it's usually worth it.

How much does it cost to find out what's wrong?

Our diagnostic call-out is a flat R350, and you get a fixed repair price before any work starts.

Do you tell me if it's not worth repairing?

Yes. If the repair doesn't make financial sense, we'll tell you, and you only pay the R350 call-out.

Not sure if it's worth fixing?

WhatsApp us the appliance, its age, the brand and what it's doing. We'll tell you honestly whether it sounds worth repairing. Monday to Saturday, 07:30–17:30.