Is It Worth Having a Dishwasher Repaired? Cost, Age, and Real-Life Decisions

How much does it really cost to fix a dishwasher? You open the door and see water pooling on the floor. The lights blink. It hums but doesn’t wash. You sigh. Should you call a repair tech-or just drag it to the curb and buy a new one?

When Repair Makes Sense

If your dishwasher is under five years old and the problem is something simple-a faulty door latch, a clogged filter, or a broken spray arm-it’s almost always worth fixing. These aren’t expensive parts. Most repairs cost between $150 and $300 in Brisbane, including labour. A new dishwasher? You’re looking at $700 minimum, and that’s before installation.

I’ve seen homeowners replace dishwashers after a single error code, only to find out later that a $40 pump seal was the issue. One client in Indooroopilly had a dishwasher that wouldn’t drain. The tech found a small piece of glass stuck in the drain pump. Ten minutes. $120. She kept the machine for another four years.

Modern dishwashers are built to last. Most are designed for 10 to 12 years of use. If yours is still running, even poorly, it’s likely got years left. Repairing it isn’t just cheaper-it’s greener. Throwing away a working appliance adds to landfill and wastes the energy and materials used to make it.

When It’s Time to Walk Away

But here’s the catch: not every problem is worth fixing. If your dishwasher is older than eight years, and the repair estimate hits $400 or more, you’re flirting with the point of no return. That’s because older machines start having cascading failures. Fix the pump, and the control board dies next month. Replace the heating element, and the door seal cracks.

One common sign it’s time to replace? If the dishwasher leaks around the door. That’s usually a sign the rubber seal has hardened from heat and age. Replacing it costs $80-$150. But if the door itself is warped, or the hinges are worn, you’re dealing with structural wear. That’s not a fix-it’s a band-aid.

Another red flag: if the control panel is flickering or unresponsive. Modern dishwashers use complex circuit boards. Replacing one can cost $250-$400. That’s 50% of what a new entry-level model costs. And if the model is discontinued, finding replacement parts becomes a gamble.

Cost Comparison: Repair vs. Replace

Let’s break it down with real numbers from Brisbane service logs in 2025:

Here’s the rule of thumb I use: if the repair cost is more than half the price of a new unit, walk away. That’s not just about money-it’s about reliability. A $500 repair on a $900 dishwasher means you’re paying more than 50% of its value to extend its life by maybe two years. You’re better off spending $700 on a new one that comes with a warranty and uses 30% less water.

Energy Savings and Long-Term Value

Older dishwashers, especially those made before 2015, use a lot of water and electricity. A 2010 model might use 15 litres per cycle. A new 5-star model uses 8-10 litres. That’s a 40% drop. Multiply that by 200 washes a year? You’re saving 1,000 litres of water annually. That’s more than a full backyard swimming pool.

Electricity savings add up too. A 2008 dishwasher might use 1.8 kWh per cycle. A 2025 model uses 0.9 kWh. At Brisbane’s average electricity rate of 32 cents per kWh, that’s 28 cents saved per load. Over a year? That’s $56. In five years? $280. That’s nearly half the cost of a new dishwasher.

And don’t forget rebates. Queensland’s Energy Efficient Appliance Program offers up to $150 off new 5-star dishwashers for eligible households. That cuts the price gap even more.

What’s the Real Lifespan?

Manufacturers say 10 years. But in real homes? It’s different. Dishwashers in Brisbane homes last longer if they’re cleaned regularly. Hard water builds up mineral deposits. Food debris clogs filters. Salt levels drop in models with built-in water softeners.

One technician I work with told me about a 17-year-old dishwasher in a home in Redland Bay. It still worked. Why? The owner cleaned the filter every two weeks, ran vinegar cycles monthly, and never overloaded it. That’s not luck-that’s maintenance.

Most people don’t clean their dishwashers at all. They just run it. So when something breaks, they assume it’s old age. Sometimes it is. But often, it’s neglect.

How to Decide: A Simple Checklist

Here’s a quick way to make the call:

1. How old is it? Under 5 years? Repair. 5-8 years? Consider repair if cost is under $300. Over 8 years? Think replacement.
2. What’s broken? Filter, seal, spray arm? Easy fix. Pump, control board, heating element? Check the cost.
3. How much is the repair? If it’s over 50% of a new unit’s price, replace.
4. Do you use it daily? If yes, a new, quieter, more efficient model will save you time and money over time.
5. Are you eligible for a rebate? Check Energy Queensland or your local council. Rebates can make replacement cheaper than repair.

If you’re still unsure, call a technician. Ask them: "Is this a one-time fix, or will something else break soon?" Good techs will tell you honestly. If they push a repair you don’t understand, get a second opinion.

What Happens If You Wait Too Long?

Delaying a repair isn’t harmless. A leaking dishwasher can rot your cabinetry. A faulty heating element can leave dishes covered in bacteria. A malfunctioning drain can back up into your kitchen sink.

One family in South Brisbane waited three months to fix a slow drain. When they finally called someone, the pump had seized-and the water had soaked the base of their cabinets. Repair: $450. Cabinet damage: $2,200. That’s the hidden cost of waiting.

Don’t wait until the machine dies completely. That’s when you’re forced into a rushed decision-and you’ll pay more.

Final Thought: It’s Not Just About Money

People think replacing appliances is easier. It’s not. You have to measure, order, wait for delivery, schedule installation, haul away the old one. You’re without a dishwasher for days. You’re washing dishes by hand. You’re stressed.

Repairing a dishwasher? Often, it’s done the same day. You get it back, clean, quiet, and working. No hassle. No mess. No waiting.

So before you toss it out, ask yourself: Is this broken because it’s old-or because it’s been ignored? If it’s the latter, a repair might give you years more. If it’s the former, a new one might be smarter.

But don’t assume. Get a quote. Compare. Think long-term. Your wallet-and your kitchen-will thank you.