Repair or replace calculator
Washing machine, TV, bike or phone broken – repair or replace? The “under 50% of the new price” rule of thumb is often too crude. This calculator compares what one more year of use costs when repairing versus replacing, and shows the break-even: up to which repair price fixing it still pays.
Source: EU – Directive (EU) 2024/1799 on common rules promoting the repair of goods (right to repair). Updated: .
How it is calculated
Repair or replace? Compare the cost per year of use: repair cost divided by the remaining life, against the new price minus proceeds for the old one divided by its lifetime. Energy savings of the new item lower its yearly cost.
Why the 50% rule is not enough
The often-quoted rule “repair if under 50% of the new price” ignores two things: how long does the repair really last, and what does the new item save in energy? A $200 repair on a $1,000 machine pays off if it lasts five years, but not if the machine fails again in one. That is why the table shows how the result changes with the durability of the repair.
The break-even price
The break-even is the repair price at which both options cost the same per year. If your quote is below it, the numbers favour repairing; above it, replacing. It moves if you estimate remaining life or energy savings differently.
What the calculator does not capture
- Comfort gains of a new item, warranty and resale value.
- The environmental impact of production: keeping a durable item going usually saves resources.
- The risk that the next part fails after the repair.
The EU Right to Repair Directive (EU) 2024/1799 obliges manufacturers of certain product groups to offer repairs even after the legal warranty has ended – so ask about repair prices and spare parts before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
When is a repair no longer worth it?
When the repair cost per year the item lasts afterwards is higher than the yearly cost of a new one. The calculator shows a break-even in money for this.
Repair or replace a washing machine?
Enter the new price, the quote, the age and the expected remaining life. For older machines with high electricity use the energy savings of a new one matter, for young machines hardly.
Does the “repair under 50% of the new price” rule hold?
It is a rough guide, not a standard. The tool shows it but also uses durability and energy cost, which the rule ignores.
How long must a repair last to pay off?
Long enough that repair cost divided by the years is no more than the yearly cost of a new item. The number is in the results.
Does it work for a fridge, TV or phone too?
Yes, the logic is the same for every item. Only price, lifetime and energy differ. For phones and laptops, data loss and software support also play a role.
Repair or replace a car?
The yearly cost comparison works here too. Enter the replacement car’s price as the new price, the old car’s resale value as proceeds and the lower fuel use as energy savings.
Sources and legal basis
As of: · Editorial policy
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