The 50% Rule: Should You Repair or Replace Your Appliance?
It’s the most common question in appliance repair: “Is it worth fixing, or should I just buy a new one?” Professionals answer it with the 50% rule — a simple guideline that resolves most cases in seconds.
What is the 50% rule?
If the cost of the repair exceeds 50% of the price of a comparable new appliance, replacement is usually the smarter financial move. A $400 repair on a $600 dishwasher? Replace it. A $180 repair on a $900 refrigerator? Fix it.
The logic is straightforward: an expensive repair on an aging appliance often buys you only a short extension before the next component fails.
Apply it with real numbers: lifespan and cost table
The rule works best combined with the appliance’s age relative to its expected lifespan:
| Appliance | Average lifespan | Typical new cost | 50% repair threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 12–15 years | $1,000–$2,500 | $500–$1,250 |
| Washing machine | 10–13 years | $600–$1,200 | $300–$600 |
| Dryer | 12–15 years | $600–$1,100 | $300–$550 |
| Dishwasher | 9–12 years | $500–$1,000 | $250–$500 |
| Gas range/oven | 15–20 years | $800–$2,000 | $400–$1,000 |
| Microwave (OTR) | 9–10 years | $300–$600 | $150–$300 |
| Garbage disposal | 8–12 years | $150–$400 | $75–$200 |
Two-factor test: (1) Is the repair under 50% of new? (2) Is the appliance under 75% of its expected lifespan? Two yeses → repair. Two nos → replace. Split decision → read on.
When to break the 50% rule
The rule is a guideline, not a law. Repair even above 50% when:
- It’s built-in. A built-in refrigerator or wall oven can cost $2,000+ to replace once you add installation and cabinetry work. Repairing is almost always cheaper.
- It’s nearly new. A 3-year-old washer with a $400 pump failure still has a decade of life left — fix it.
- You love the model. High-end or perfectly-matched appliances (that Sub-Zero suite, the range that matches your kitchen) justify repairs new units can’t replace.
- The failure is minor. A $350 control board on an otherwise healthy 8-year-old dryer is a fine investment.
When replacement wins even below 50%
Replace even when the repair is cheap if:
- The appliance is past its lifespan. A 16-year-old fridge with a $200 fix is living on borrowed time — the next failure is months away.
- Energy costs matter. A 15-year-old refrigerator can use twice the electricity of a modern Energy Star model. The utility savings alone can justify replacement.
- It’s a known lemon. Some models have chronic defects (certain Samsung French-door ice makers, for example). Pouring repair money into a design flaw rarely pays.
A real example
A customer calls about a 9-year-old dishwasher that won’t drain: $280 for a new pump assembly. New comparable dishwasher: $650. The repair is 43% of new, and the unit is at ~80% of expected lifespan. Verdict: borderline — but if the racks are rusting and it’s been noisy for a year, replace. If it’s otherwise pristine, repair.
The honest answer from a repair company
Here’s something most shops won’t tell you: we make money on repairs, but we’d rather earn your trust. A good technician will run this math with you on-site and tell you when replacement is the better call — because the customer who trusts you today calls you back for the next appliance tomorrow.
Not sure which side your appliance falls on? Get an honest on-site assessment in Columbia, MD — we’ll give you the numbers before any work begins.