Is It Worth Repairing a Washing Machine? Real Costs vs. Replacements in 2025

You come home to a puddle beside your washing machine, and the drum won’t spin. Your first thought? Repair or replace? It’s a decision that costs more than just money-it costs time, stress, and sometimes peace of mind. In New Zealand, where appliance prices have jumped 22% since 2022 and repair parts take weeks to arrive, this isn’t just a household question-it’s a financial crossroads.

When Repairing Makes Sense

Not every broken washing machine needs to be tossed. If your machine is under eight years old and the problem is something simple-a worn drum bearing, a faulty door lock, or a clogged pump filter-it’s often cheaper to fix it. In Auckland, a professional technician will charge between $120 and $180 for a service call and labor. Parts like a door seal or pump typically cost $40-$80. That’s $160-$260 total. Compare that to a new machine: $700 minimum for a basic model, $1,200+ for a front-loader with smart features.

One customer in Mt. Roskill had a 2018 Samsung front-loader with a leaking drum seal. The repair took 90 minutes and cost $210. She kept the machine for another four years. That’s $210 over four years versus $1,000 for a new one. That’s a $790 saving.

Repair also makes sense if your machine still has a warranty, even if it’s expired. Some manufacturers offer extended parts warranties-check your paperwork. Brands like LG and Whirlpool sometimes cover motors for up to 10 years. If your machine is still under that window, you might pay only for labor.

When It’s Time to Walk Away

There are red flags that scream: don’t fix it.

• Your machine is over 10 years old. Most washing machines last 10-12 years with normal use. After that, other parts start failing one after another. Fixing one issue often means another will break in six months.
• The repair quote is more than half the price of a new machine. If it costs $500 to fix a machine that sells new for $800, you’re better off replacing it. You’ll get a newer model with better efficiency, quieter operation, and a fresh warranty.
• The motor or control board is damaged. These are the two most expensive components. Replacing a motor can cost $300-$500, plus labor. Control boards aren’t much cheaper. At that point, you’re paying for a 15-year-old machine to run like a 5-year-old one.
• You’re using it daily and it’s already had two or more repairs in the last year. This isn’t luck-it’s the end of its lifecycle.

One technician in Christchurch told me he sees 12 machines a week that were repaired twice in under 18 months. Every single one broke again within six months. He calls them "money pits."

Energy and Water Savings: The Hidden Math

Older machines aren’t just unreliable-they’re wasteful. A 2010 washing machine uses 90-120 liters of water per load. A 2025 model uses 45-60 liters. That’s a 50% drop. Over a year, with four loads a week, you’re saving 9,360 liters. In Auckland, where water rates rose 15% in 2024, that’s about $45-$60 saved annually.

Energy use? An old machine might use 0.8 kWh per cycle. A new 5-star rated model uses 0.3 kWh. That’s 0.5 kWh saved per load. At 30 cents per kWh, you’re saving $0.15 per wash. Over 200 loads a year? That’s $30 saved. Add water savings, and you’re cutting $75-$90 off your bills each year.

That means if you spend $1,000 on a new machine, you’ll break even on energy and water savings in under 12 years. But if you’re planning to stay in your home longer than that, the savings add up. And if you’re on a low income or fixed budget, even $75 a year matters.

Environmental Impact: The Real Cost

Every year, New Zealand sends over 80,000 washing machines to landfill. Most of them are still functional-just not worth repairing because the cost of parts or labor was too high. But here’s the truth: manufacturing a new washing machine releases 120-150 kg of CO2. That’s the same as driving a car 600 km.

Repairing extends the life of your machine and avoids that carbon cost. If you fix your machine instead of replacing it, you’re saving roughly 100 kg of CO2 per repair. That’s like planting five trees.

And it’s not just about carbon. Washing machines contain copper, steel, plastic, and rare earth metals. Recycling them is possible, but only 38% of old appliances in NZ are properly recycled. The rest sit in landfills, leaching chemicals into soil and groundwater.

What to Check Before Calling a Technician

Before you pay for a service call, try these simple fixes. You might save $120.

1. Check the power. Is the plug loose? Did the circuit breaker trip? Sometimes, it’s not the machine-it’s the outlet.
2. Clear the drain filter. Most machines have a small panel at the front bottom. Open it and remove lint, coins, or socks. This fixes 40% of drainage issues.
3. Level the machine. If it shakes violently, it’s not broken-it’s tilted. Adjust the feet until it doesn’t wobble.
4. Run a cleaning cycle. Buildup from detergent and fabric softener can clog hoses and sensors. Use vinegar or a washing machine cleaner.
5. Check the belt. If the drum spins slowly or not at all, the belt might be snapped. You can see it by removing the back panel (unplug first!).

These steps take 15 minutes and cost nothing. If they don’t work, then it’s time to call a pro.

Where to Find Reliable Repair Services in New Zealand

Not all repair technicians are created equal. In Auckland, look for businesses that are members of the Appliance Repair Association of New Zealand (ARANZ). They follow a code of ethics, use genuine parts, and offer 90-day warranties on repairs.

Avoid "mobile repair" services that show up in Facebook ads with $50 service calls. They often use cheap, non-genuine parts and disappear after one visit. One woman in Hamilton paid $80 for a "fix"-her machine broke again in three weeks. The technician never answered her calls.

Ask for:

• Written quote before work starts
• Warranty on parts and labor
• Proof they use manufacturer-approved parts
• References or online reviews from the last 12 months

Reputable companies like Appliance Doctor NZ, FixIt Fast, and Washing Machine Repair Auckland have been around for over 10 years. They stock common parts locally, so you won’t wait six weeks for a replacement.

Replacement Options: What to Buy Instead

If you decide to replace your machine, here’s what to look for in 2025:

• Front-loaders are still the most efficient. They use less water and spin faster, drying clothes better.
• Look for a 5-star energy rating and 4-star water rating from Energywise. Avoid anything below 4 stars.
• Choose a model with a 10-year motor warranty. LG and Samsung offer this. It’s the best indicator of reliability.
• Don’t pay extra for "smart" features unless you use them. Wi-Fi connectivity adds $150-$300 and rarely improves performance.
• Buy from a store with free delivery and old appliance removal. Many offer this for free if you buy a new machine.

Best value models in 2025: LG WM3900CW, Samsung WW90T554DAW, and Fisher & Paykel MW512. All cost between $750 and $950 and come with 2-year full warranties.

Final Decision Checklist

Use this quick guide to make your call:

• Repair if: Machine is under 8 years old, repair cost is under 50% of a new one, and it’s a simple fix (seal, filter, belt).
• Replace if: Machine is over 10 years old, repair costs more than half the price of a new one, motor or control board is damaged, or you’re tired of breakdowns.
• Consider replacing even if repair is cheap: If your machine is slow, noisy, or uses too much water or electricity.

There’s no right answer for everyone. But the right answer for you is the one that saves you money, stress, and time over the next five years-not just today.