Repair vs Replace Calculator
The classic advice is "repair if it's under 50% of the replacement cost" — but that treats a 1-year-old machine the same as one on its last legs. Enter the repair quote, the replacement price, and how old and how long-lived the item is, to get a break-even repair price tailored to its remaining useful life.
Estimate only. This calculator gives estimates for information only, not professional advice. It doesn't account for the environmental cost of replacement or brand-specific reliability.
With 72.7% of its expected life left (8 yrs), repair is worth it below £276 — that's your break-even repair price.
- Ask about spares availability — the Right to Repair rules mean manufacturers must stock parts for many appliances for years after sale.
- A manufacturer-refurbished replacement often splits the difference between a full-price new item and a risky secondhand one.
- Check any home-emergency cover, extended warranty or appliance insurance you already have before paying for a repair out of pocket.
Why the break-even price depends on the item's age
A flat "repair if under 50%" rule ignores how much useful life is actually left. This calculator scales the break-even repair price by the fraction of expected lifespan remaining: a brand-new item can justify a repair costing nearly the full replacement price, while one already past its expected lifespan can rarely justify any repair at all. Exactly halfway through an item's life, the threshold lands at 50% of the replacement price — which is where the traditional rule of thumb comes from in the first place.