Repair or replace? A guide to home appliance breakdowns
· 6 min read · By the GoFixit team
When an appliance breaks, the real question is whether a repair buys you years or just months. A few simple checks tell you whether to fix it or put the money toward a replacement.
The 50% rule
A widely used rule of thumb: if a repair costs more than half the price of a new equivalent appliance, and the unit is past the middle of its expected life, replacement is usually the better spend. Below that, repair almost always wins.
How long appliances are meant to last
An appliance that fails well within these ranges is usually worth repairing; one failing near the end of its life is a closer call.
- Refrigerator: roughly 10–15 years
- Washing machine: roughly 8–12 years
- Microwave: roughly 7–10 years
- Television: roughly 7–10 years
Lean toward repair when
- The appliance is still under or near warranty
- It is a common, low-cost fix — a worn belt, a faulty thermostat, a blocked drain
- The unit is less than halfway through its expected life
- It is a premium model that would be expensive to replace
Lean toward replace when
- The repair approaches or exceeds half the cost of a new one
- It has needed several repairs in a short span
- It is old and far less energy-efficient than current models
- Spare parts are hard to source for the model
Get a diagnosis first
You cannot make this call without knowing the fault and the quote. A proper diagnosis tells you the cause and the cost before you commit. GoFixit appliance repair covers washing machines, fridges, microwaves, and TVs, starting at ₹199 with upfront pricing — so you can decide repair-versus-replace with real numbers.