Repair or replace? A simple framework for Dubai households

Every week we are asked the same question at some point during a service call: 'Is it worth repairing, or should I just buy a new one?' There is no perfect formula, but there is a good starting point.

The 50% rule

If the repair estimate is more than 50% of the price of an equivalent new appliance and the unit is past 60% of its expected service life, replacement is usually the smarter call. Below either threshold, repair almost always wins.

The rule works because it captures two things at once: how much value is left in the unit, and how much you would pay to unlock it. Either threshold alone is misleading — a 40% repair on a fifteen-year-old fridge is still probably a bad investment; a 60% repair on a two-year-old premium washer is often worth it.

Expected service life (rough guide)

• Refrigerator: 12–15 years
• Washing machine: 8–12 years
• Dryer: 10–13 years
• Dishwasher: 8–10 years
• Split AC: 10–12 years in Dubai
• Built-in oven: 12–15 years

These ranges assume regular servicing. Appliances that were never serviced typically sit at the low end of each range — sometimes below it. Well-maintained premium units routinely last beyond the high end.

Questions worth asking

• Is the fault a wear item (belt, pump, gasket, thermostat) or a major component (compressor, motor, drum bearings)?
• Is the unit still under any warranty?
• Has it needed multiple repairs in the last two years?
• Are spare parts still readily available for that model?
• Do you value features on newer models — inverter compressor, connectivity, energy rating?

When replacement almost always wins

• Compressor failure on a fridge older than 10 years.
• Drum bearing failure on a washing machine older than 8 years.
• Sealed-system leak on any AC older than 10 years.
• Cracked outer tub, drum or door glass — parts costs are close to a new unit.
• Control board failure on a model where the board is discontinued.

When repair almost always wins

• Any wear item (belt, pump, hose, valve, gasket, thermostat, capacitor).
• First fault on an appliance under 5 years old.
• Premium built-in units where replacement means cabinetry changes.
• AC PCB or capacitor faults regardless of age — cheap fix, huge value.

Ask us for an honest opinion during any diagnostic visit. If replacement genuinely makes more sense we will tell you — and, when helpful, recommend which model and capacity to look at for your household.