Is Repairing the Household Appliance Still Worth It?

The most important things first

A repair is especially worthwhile if the device is not very old, the fault is clearly identifiable, and the costs are reasonable in relation to the new price. For very old devices, a technically feasible repair can still be economically nonsensical because downstream damage and higher operating costs argue against it. In the example of the 20-year-old dishwasher with a faulty circulation pump or heater, repair was advised against despite available spare parts.

At Strim AG, Household Appliances, we repeatedly see the same thinking error: many first only check whether a spare part is still available. What matters, however, is what the device costs in everyday use afterwards and whether a new device would offset the defect with lower electricity and water consumption in the long run.

How to tell if repair is still worthwhile

Repairability alone is not a good criterion. A device may still be repairable and yet the wrong choice if it is already very old, the defect could trigger expensive follow-up problems, or the running consumption of a new device is significantly lower.

Age of the device; the older the model, the more critical the calculation becomes.
Type of defect; a circulation pump or heater is assessed differently than a smaller mechanical fault.
Spare part availability; an orderable part does not automatically mean that its use is economical.
Repair costs in relation to the new price, especially with high labor and material costs.
Ongoing operating costs, especially electricity and water for large household appliances.

What does the case of the 20-year-old dishwasher show?

Criterion	Observation	Conclusion
Age	20 years	The device was technically very old.
Defect	Circulation pump or heater	The fault affected a central component.
Spare part	Available from the manufacturer	Repairable, but not economically sensible yet.
Repair costs	approx. CHF 800	Too high in relation to the benefit.
New device	Significantly less electricity and water	Replacement was the reasonable solution in operation.

Classification from the practical case at Strim AG, Household Appliances

With very old devices, repair often no longer pays off.
— Danijel Lugonjic, Strim AG, Haushaltgeräte

That is exactly the point that surprises many: a device does not have to be irreparably broken to justify avoiding repair. In our service everyday life, the decision often goes against repair even though the spare part is still available, because the total cost over the next usable phase simply speaks against the old device.

What mistakes often lead to a wrong decision?

The most common misconception is to just look at the immediate price of the repair. If you exclude energy consumption, possible follow-up defects and the technical distance to a new model, you usually assess the damage too optimistically.

Only check the spare parts question and ignore operating costs.
confuse a high repair sum with a small defect.
Underestimate the age of the device, even though the next fault is often not far away.
Assess a new device only by purchase price and not by electricity and water consumption.

When is DIY repair sensible, and when should the case go to service?

Small, clearly defined issues can sometimes be solved easily, for example if a accessory part needs to be replaced or a obvious mechanical fault is present. However, once a central component, electronics, water routing or a cost in the hundreds of francs is involved, a clean assessment by a professional is required.

For us the boundary is quite clear: if the repair should be not only possible but also economically and technically sensible, we compare age, defect, spare part, operating costs and the expected remaining service life. For exactly this, Strim AG offers not only repair and service of household large appliances but, if needed, also consultation, replacement and a free loaner device.

What should you check before deciding?

Note the age of the device and compare with the expected remaining usefulness. The data plate helps to have all relevant data.
Have the defect described as precisely as possible or observe it yourself. Usually a fault message helps in diagnosis.
Request repair costs in writing.
Compare new price and ongoing operating costs of the replacement device.
If unsure, obtain a professional assessment before ordering or disposing.

Frequently asked questions

When is a replacement device clearly the better choice?

If the repair accounts for a large portion of the new price and the device is already old, the calculation often tips in favor of a replacement. This is especially relevant for devices that consume a lot of energy or water in everyday use because the follow-up costs over the years weigh more than the one-time repair price.

Does an available spare part automatically make the repair sensible?

No. That a part can be ordered only says something about technical feasibility. Economically, the repair can still be imprudent if age, consumption, and the risk of further defects argue against the old device.

What should you ask first in case of an expensive defect?

First, determine how old the device is, which component is affected, and the total cost. Then compare with a new device, not the other way around. This sequence error often leads to premature repair decisions.

Can a repair for a kitchen appliance with lower running time be more worthwhile?

Yes, this can be the case if the device is still relatively young and the defect remains small. For older large appliances, the decision is stricter because ongoing consumption and the likelihood of further damage weigh more heavily.

If you are unsure, we at Strim AG, Household Appliances, precisely check these three points: condition, cost and economy in operation. This allows a factual decision on whether a repair is still sensible or whether replacement and warranty processing are the better solution.

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Strim AG, Haushaltgeräte, Tübach

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