Is It Worth Repairing Your Dishwasher?

The 50% rule

The rule needs two numbers: the dishwasher’s age compared with its typical life, and the repair quote compared with the installed price of a comparable new one. The National Association of Home Builders puts a dishwasher’s typical life at about 9 years.

• Replace only when both are true: it’s past the halfway point of its life and the repair is more than half the price of a new one.
• Repair when either one is false.
• Replace regardless if the part is discontinued.

Verdicts by age

Age	Verdict
Under 1 year	Call the manufacturer first; it’s almost certainly under warranty
1 to 5 years	Almost always repair
5 to 9 years	Usually repair, unless it needs a control board and a pump together on a budget model
10 years	Repair cheap faults (gasket, latch, hose, filter housing). Replace for a board, motor or second major failure
15 years and up	Replace for anything beyond a small part; efficiency and part availability both work against it
18 years and up	Replace. Parts are often discontinued, and newer dishwashers use far less water and energy

Verdicts by repair

Repair	Worth it?
Door gasket, springs, latch	Yes, at almost any age
Inlet valve, drain hose, filter	Yes, at almost any age
Drain pump	Usually, if it’s under about 10 years old
Heating element or heater pump (Bosch E09)	Usually on premium brands; weigh it on budget models over 8 years
Control board or keypad	Under 7 years, usually yes. Over 10, usually replace
Wash motor or circulation pump	Under 7 years, yes. Over 10, usually replace
Cracked tub or rusted frame	No. Replace

Premium brands change the math. A Bosch, Thermador or Miele that cost well over $1,000 is worth repairing longer than a budget model, because a comparable replacement costs more.

Signs it’s time to replace

• It’s on its second or third major repair in a couple of years
• The tub is cracked, rusted or the door frame is warped
• The part is discontinued
• It’s over 15 years old and needs anything beyond a small part
• You’re remodeling and it no longer fits the kitchen

If you decide to replace

There’s no City of Naperville rebate on new dishwashers; the Naperville Electric Utility’s rebates cover HVAC, thermostats, insulation and windows, and 2026 funding is already awarded. Ask the retailer to haul the old unit away when they deliver the new one, which is usually the easiest option.

Not sure which way to go? A diagnosis gives you a real repair price to compare. The [FEE] is credited if you repair, and the tech will tell you honestly if it’s not worth it. Book a diagnosis.

Worth repairing: common questions

Is it worth fixing an 8-year-old dishwasher?

Usually, yes, for anything except a big repair on a budget model. At 8 years you’re near the typical 9-year life, so compare a large quote with the price of a comparable new dishwasher installed.

Is it worth repairing a 10-year-old dishwasher?

For a cheap part like a gasket or latch, yes. For a control board or motor, usually not; that money is better put toward a new one.

Is an 18-year-old dishwasher worth repairing?

Rarely. Parts may be discontinued, and a new dishwasher will use much less water and energy. Fix only a very small, cheap fault.

How do I know if my dishwasher is repairable?

Almost every fault is repairable if the part is available and the tub and frame are sound. Whether it’s worth it depends on age and cost, which a diagnosis tells you.

Reviewed by [TECH NAME], appliance technician. Last updated October 27, 2026.