When Is It Cheaper to Replace a Dishwasher Than Repair It?
Key Takeaways
- Dishwashers usually last about 9 to 12 years.
- Pumps, door latches, seals and filters are cheap fixes.
- Replace it when the tub is rusted through, or when the control board fails on an older budget model.
Short answer: it is cheaper to replace a dishwasher when the tub is rusted through, or when the control board fails on an older budget model. Pumps, door latches, seals and filters are cheap fixes and worth doing. Most dishwashers last about 9 to 12 years, so age plays a part too.
Dishwashers often look worse than they are. A dishwasher that will not drain or leaves dishes dirty usually needs a small part, not a new machine.
How Long Does a Dishwasher Last?
Most dishwashers work well for about 9 to 12 years. After that, pumps and seals start to wear out. Higher-end models, like many Bosch and Miele dishwashers, are often worth keeping longer because they cost more to replace.
Cheap Fixes Worth Doing
These are the most common dishwasher problems. Each one is a small part or a simple cleaning.
- Dirty filter: a clogged filter leaves food on dishes and can make the pump work too hard. Many filters twist out by hand for cleaning.
- Drain pump: if water sits in the bottom after a cycle, the drain pump may be clogged with glass or a bone, or it may have failed.
- Door latch: if the dishwasher will not start, the latch may not be telling it the door is shut.
- Door seal: a worn seal lets water drip out the front onto the floor.
- Water inlet valve: if the dishwasher does not fill, or fills slowly, this valve may be stuck.
- Spray arms: clogged holes in the spray arms mean poor cleaning. Clearing them is often all it takes.
When It Is Cheaper to Replace
A few failures make a new dishwasher the smarter buy.
- Rust through the tub: once the tub rusts through, it leaks, and the tub cannot be fixed.
- A failed control board on an older budget model: the board can cost a big share of what a new basic dishwasher costs.
- Repeat trouble: if it breaks more than once or twice a year, the repairs add up fast.
- The 50% rule: if the repair is more than half the price of a new one, and the dishwasher is past half its life, replace it.
Dishwasher Not Cleaning? Check This First
Before you decide the dishwasher is done, try these steps. They fix a lot of cleaning problems.
- Take out and rinse the filter at the bottom of the tub.
- Check the spray arms for clogs and make sure they spin freely.
- Run the hot water at the sink before you start a cycle, so the dishwasher starts with hot water.
- Load dishes so nothing blocks the spray arms or the soap door.
If dishes still come out dirty, read our post on why a dishwasher is not cleaning dishes.
Labor and Access Matter With Dishwashers
A dishwasher sits under the counter, so some repairs mean pulling it out. That adds time. A dishwasher locked under stone counters or with a custom front panel can take longer to reach. Parts on the front, like a latch or a filter, are quick. This is why the same problem can cost different amounts in different kitchens.
A Leak Is Not Always the End
Water on the floor can look like a big problem. Often it is not. A worn door seal, a loose hose or a cracked part on the pump can all cause a leak, and each can be fixed. The leak to worry about is one from a rusted tub. If you see rust spots on the inside walls of the tub, that is the time to start shopping. Until then, a leak is usually a part.
High-End Brands Lean Toward Repair
If you own a Bosch, Miele or other high-end dishwasher, a repair is often the better deal even at an older age. These brands cost more to replace, and their parts are made to be serviced. Our Bosch repair page covers one of the most common brands we see in kitchens.
Get a Price, Then Decide
The simplest way to know is to get a real price. A+ Appliance Repair and Maintenance offers dishwasher repair for homes and businesses. For a home, the service call is $79. For a business, it is $149. Either way, it is free if you proceed with the repair. The technician checks the dishwasher, finds the fault and gives you the price before any work starts. If the numbers point to a new dishwasher, you will know before you spend more. Every repair carries a 30-day repair warranty, and you can reach us from 6am to 9pm, seven days a week. See our repair vs replace guide for other appliances.
