There is no rule that fits every machine, but there is a way to think about it that gets the answer right most of the time.
Start with what has failed
Drain pumps, inlet valves, door seals, heaters and control boards are the parts that fail on a dishwasher. The first four are inexpensive and quick. A control board on a premium machine can be a third of the replacement cost, and that is where the decision gets real.
Then the age
Under six years, repair almost always wins. Six to ten, it depends on the part. Past ten, with a board or a motor fault, replacement is usually the better spend.
Then what kind of machine it is
An integrated or panel-ready dishwasher is built into the cabinetry and matched to the kitchen. Replacing one is not just the appliance; it is the panel, the fit and sometimes the worktop. That shifts the maths a long way toward repair.
The complaint that is not a fault
Machines that “stopped cleaning properly” are usually fine. Modern dishwashers use very little water and depend on rinse aid, a clean filter and a hot supply. Nine times out of ten we fix that without a part.
What we will tell you
If the repair costs more than the machine is worth, we say so. It costs us the job and it is the reason people call us back.
