There's no universal rule like "never fix anything over ten years old." A better approach is to compare three numbers and answer one question.
The three numbers
- The repair price. Get a real diagnosis first. A guess over the phone isn't a quote.
- A comparable new machine, installed. Count delivery, haul-away, new hoses or connectors and, for built-ins, any cabinet or panel work.
- How much life the machine likely has left. Condition matters more than age. Rust on the frame, a cracked tub or a failed sealed system changes the picture far more than the year it was made.
The one question
Is the failed part a wear part or a core part? Belts, igniters, pumps, gaskets and fans wear out on healthy machines and are usually worth replacing. Compressors, tubs and drive motors on low-cost appliances often aren't.
When repair usually makes sense
- The appliance is built into the cabinets, and a new one wouldn't fit the same opening.
- The problem is one well-understood part, with no damage around it.
- You like the machine, and it hasn't needed other repairs lately.
When replacing is often the wiser call
- A second major failure within a short time.
- Parts are discontinued or on a long backorder.
- The repair costs close to half of what a similar new machine would, installed.
Whichever way you lean, a diagnosis gives you the real numbers. Book a visit, and you'll have the price before anything is repaired.
