Repair or replace? How to decide when your fridge breaks down

A fridge that stops working is never convenient. Once you have a diagnosis, you face the practical question: is it worth repairing, or is it time to buy a new one? There is no single right answer, but there is a sensible way to work it out. A good technician will help you with it, and will not push you toward a repair that does not make sense.

The age of the fridge

Most household fridges last somewhere between 10 and 15 years with reasonable care. Quality brands and simple designs can go beyond that. As a rough guide:

• Under 8 years old: almost always worth repairing, even for fairly big faults.
• Between 8 and 12 years old: depends on the fault and the fridge's quality. Repair minor and medium problems, think carefully about sealed-system work.
• Over 12 years old: consider replacing, unless it is a premium unit in excellent condition and the repair is cheap.

The 50 percent rule

A widely used rule of thumb is that if the repair costs more than about half the price of a comparable new fridge, replacement usually makes more sense. If a fridge is old and the repair is half the cost of a new one, you are paying a lot to extend a short life. If the fridge is young and good quality, the same repair may be good value.

What kind of fault is it?

Not all faults cost the same. In very broad terms:

• Low cost: door seals, thermostats, start relays, fans, defrost heaters, drain blockages, sensors and most electrical components.
• Medium cost: control boards, damper assemblies, inlet water valves and some compressor components.
• High cost: sealed system repairs such as a compressor replacement, evaporator or condenser leaks that need brazing, and refrigerant circuit blockages.

A sealed system repair on a good fridge can still be worthwhile, particularly for a high quality or built-in appliance that is expensive to replace. On a low-end fridge it often is not.

Energy use and running costs

Older fridges can use noticeably more electricity than modern ones, especially models from before efficiency labelling improved. If your electricity bill matters and the fridge is more than 12 to 15 years old, a new efficient model will pay back some of its cost over time. Chest freezers and fridges kept in hot garages also use more power, so check where yours is placed.

Parts availability

Some brands and older models have spare parts that are scarce or discontinued. A good technician will tell you up front whether parts are easy to get, and if a fix is a temporary measure. Common brands such as Defy, Samsung, LG and Hisense usually have readily available parts.

The refrigerant and the environment

Older fridges run on gases that are being phased out. That does not mean they cannot be repaired, but the cost of certain repairs may be higher. If you do replace the fridge, make sure the old one is recovered and disposed of properly, so the refrigerant is not released.

What else to consider

• Do you have a warranty or an extended warranty on the fridge? Check before paying for anything.
• Is the fridge integrated or built in? Replacements may be harder and costlier to fit.
• Has the fridge broken down several times this year? A pattern of failures suggests the unit is wearing out.
• Can you manage without it for a few days while a replacement is delivered?

Questions to ask your technician

• What exactly is wrong and how sure are you?
• What will the repair cost and is the part guaranteed?
• How long should the fridge last after this repair?
• If it was your fridge, would you fix it?

Our approach is simple: diagnose first, explain what is wrong, give a fair estimate and tell you honestly if the unit is not worth fixing. Several of our customers have mentioned that in their reviews. If you want an honest opinion on your fridge, call us and we will give you one.