Here’s When Repairing Your Washing Machine Makes More Sense
Your parents are right: they don’t make durable appliances anymore. So, when your washing machine breaks down or it becomes clear that it is starting to fail, you are faced with a decision: should you pay for repairs or buy a new one? Here’s what you need to know.
Is it worth repairing or replacing a washing machine?
First of all, check your washing machine’s warranty, in case the repair is still covered. If not, you need to find out if it makes sense to repair it or buy a new car. This, however, involves more than an initial cost comparison, as repairs will almost always be cheaper than buying a new washing machine.
Instead, Consumer Reports recommends considering the following factors:
- How much did you pay for the washing machine
- How many years have you owned it
- Repair cost
- Energy Efficient (newer machines usually use less energy, which means you’ll spend less on electricity)
- Water efficiency (new machines usually use less water, saving you money on your water bill)
This requires a lot of math, so to give you more time to make a decision, you can enter some basic information into its interactive tool and get a better idea of whether to fix your current washing machine or scrap it for a new one. .
How much does a washing machine repair cost?
According to a Consumer Reports survey , the total average out-of-pocket cost of repairing a washing machine (not including service fees) is $155, with some types more expensive to repair than others. Here are the average repair costs for three different device categories:
- Top loading agitator washers: $129.
- Top-loading HE washing machines: $165
- Front-loading washing machines: $171
The full report has even more information about washing machines, including what to look for in a repair shop and the most common appliance problems.