See the Repair-or-Replace approach
This is a written method to follow at your own pace. There is no automatic tool or score on this page.
The factors that usually matter
Repair cost compared with replacement
Compare a written repair quote with the full cost of a comparable replacement, including delivery, installation and disposal.
Age and remaining useful life
An older product may need other repairs soon. Ask the repairer how the rest of it looks, not only the broken part.
Repeat failures
The same fault returning, or several faults in a short time, is worth more weight than a single first failure.
Availability of parts
Ask whether parts are available, how long they take to arrive, and whether they are original or compatible.
Safety
Burning smells, smoke, sparks, water near electrics, damaged cables or a swollen battery mean: stop using it and get professional advice.
Warranty and legal guarantee
A fault may be covered at no cost by a commercial warranty or, for goods bought from a trader in the EU, by the legal guarantee. See warranty vs legal guarantee.
Energy and running costs
For appliances that run for many hours, energy, water or consumable costs over the coming years can matter as much as the price.
Data and settings
For phones and computers, a repair may keep your data and setup; a replacement means moving them. Back up either way.
Resale or reuse value
A working, repaired product may still be worth something to someone else, or useful in another role at home.
Resources and environment
Repairing keeps an existing product in use and avoids making a new one. How much that matters depends on the product.
The step-by-step approach
Put safety first
If there is any sign of a safety problem, stop using the product and get it checked before deciding anything else.
Check whether the repair could be free
Find the purchase date and receipt. Check any commercial warranty and, if you bought from a trader, your legal guarantee.
Get a written diagnosis and quote
Ask what is wrong, what the repair includes, how long it takes, and whether the repair itself comes with a warranty.
Price a comparable replacement
Use a product that does the same job, and include delivery, installation, accessories and disposal of the old one.
Look at the history
List earlier repairs and faults. A repair history makes repeat problems visible.
Consider age, parts and running costs
Note how old it is, whether parts are available, and whether running costs differ noticeably from a replacement.
Consider data, value and resources
Add what you would lose or keep: data and settings, resale or reuse value, and the resources a new product needs.
Decide, and write the decision down
Put the notes side by side and decide. Whatever you choose, record it — a repair goes into the product's history; a replacement starts a new one.
A note on rules of thumb
You may see simple rules such as a fixed percentage of the replacement price. They can be a starting point, but they ignore safety, guarantees, repeat faults and how long the product will still last. This guide does not use a formula or score: the factors above are meant to be weighed by you, for your situation.