Is It Worth Fixing? The 50% Rule

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Your washing machine just stopped spinning. Your fridge is making a noise that sounds like a dying engine. Now you are staring at a repair quote for $250 and wondering: “Should I pay to fix this old machine, or just buy a new one?”

It is the most common question in the appliance world.

Technicians don’t just guess the answer. We use a specific formula called The 50% Rule. Before you order a single part or call a repairman, run your numbers through this simple equation to see if your appliance is “totaled.”

What is the 50% Rule?

The 50% rule is a financial guideline used to prevent you from throwing good money after bad. It states that you should replace an appliance instead of repairing it if:

  1. The cost of the repair is more than 50% of the price of a new machine.
  2. AND the appliance is more than 50% through its expected lifespan.

If both of these are true, the machine is a financial liability. Cut your losses and buy new.

Step 1: Calculate the Real Repair Cost

To get the first number, you need the “Total Repair Cost.”

  • If hiring a pro: This is the Service Call Fee ($80–$120) + Labor ($100+) + Parts.
  • If DIYing: This is the Cost of Parts + Your Time + Tools you might need to buy.

Example: You have a 7-year-old dishwasher. A new pump costs $150. A brand new comparable dishwasher costs $600.

  • $150 is only 25% of $600.
  • Verdict: purely on cost, this is worth fixing.

However, cost is only half the story. You must also look at age.

Step 2: The Lifespan Check

Appliances aren’t built like they used to be. Most modern units have a strictly defined life expectancy. If your machine is past the halfway point, a major failure (like a motor or control board) usually signals the end.

Here is the cheat sheet for average appliance lifespans:

  • Washing Machines: 10–13 years (50% mark: 5–6 years)
  • Dryers: 10–13 years (50% mark: 5–6 years)
  • Dishwashers: 9–10 years (50% mark: 5 years)
  • Refrigerators: 10–15 years (50% mark: 7 years)
  • Gas Ranges: 15 years (50% mark: 7.5 years)
  • Electric Ranges: 13 years (50% mark: 6.5 years)

Applying the Rule (Real World Scenarios)

Let’s look at three common scenarios to see how the rule protects your wallet.

Scenario A: The Broken Washer Logic Board

  • Machine: Front-load washer, 8 years old.
  • Issue: F21 Error (Control Board failure).
  • Repair Cost: $350 for the board (DIY).
  • New Cost: $800.
  • The Math: Repair is 43% of new (Pass). BUT Age is 8 years (Fail—it is past the 50% lifespan).
  • The Verdict: REPLACE. At 8 years old, the bearings or spider arm are likely to break next. Spending $350 now is risky.

Scenario B: The Noisy Dryer

  • Machine: Electric Dryer, 5 years old.
  • Issue: Squealing noise (Idler Pulley & Belt).
  • Repair Cost: $30 kit (DIY).
  • New Cost: $600.
  • The Math: Repair is 5% of new. Age is roughly 40% of lifespan.
  • The Verdict: FIX. This is a slam dunk. Dryers are simple machines; a fresh belt can give you another 5 years of life.

Scenario C: The Leaking Fridge

  • Machine: French Door Fridge, 3 years old.
  • Issue: Leaking water (Defrost Drain clogged).
  • Repair Cost: $0 (Just hot water and a turkey baster).
  • New Cost: $2,000.
  • The Verdict: FIX. Never replace a young appliance for a maintenance issue.

Exceptions to the Rule

There are two times you should ignore the 50% rule:

  1. High-End Luxury Brands: If you own a Sub-Zero, Wolf, Miele, or Viking, the math changes. These units are built to last 20+ years. It is almost always worth spending $500 to fix a $5,000 fridge, even if it’s 12 years old.
  2. “Tank” Era Machines: If you have a top-load washer from the 90s (like a Whirlpool Direct Drive) that still works, keep it alive. Parts are cheap ($20), and they wash better than anything you can buy today.

Final Thoughts: The “Aggravation Tax”

Finally, consider the non-monetary cost. If you fix this machine, will you trust it? Or will you worry every time you leave the house that it might leak? If a repair involves waiting 3 weeks for a backordered part while laundry piles up, the “Aggravation Tax” might make buying a new machine worth the extra money.

Need to troubleshoot your specific machine? Use our search bar to find your error code and see exactly which part you need.