Imagine it being Sunday evening. You just finished eating dinner with your family. You go to load the dishwasher and boom, it’s not working properly! Will it be worth repairing? Should you just replace it? Let’s find out!
Is it worth repairing a broken dishwasher?
Usually, yes. It is worth repairing a broken dishwasher, however, it does depend on several factors which you must consider carefully.
1 > The age of the appliance. If your appliance is above 15 years, repairing it is most likely not worth the hassle.
2 > The brand of the appliance. If your appliance is a known unreliable brand, it may not be worth the hassle. We cannot name specific brands which we feel are unreliable but, there’s many available resources online.
3 > Initial price. If your dishwasher was quite an expensive model when you purchased it, it will probably be worthwhile repairing it a few times over the years. On the other hand, if it was a cheaper model, it may not be worth the effort.
4 > Amount of previous repairs. If your dishwasher has had several previous repairs over the years, it may not be worth repairing again.
If you’re feeling stuck and not sure what to do, call us, we’re always happy to help over the phone for free! We always say this, and we do truly mean it. We love helping and providing fully honest advice where we can. You can find our contact details on our contacts page.
How much does repairing your dishwasher usually cost?
When it comes to repairing your dishwasher, most repair centres will have a simple labour fee structure. Let’s go over what we think is cheap, standard and expensive in 2026.
Cheap Labour Fee: £65 + Parts
Standard Labour Fee: £80 + Parts
Expensive Labour Fee: £110 + Parts
Importantly, you should note that the above will usually only apply if your dishwasher is actually repaired. If the dishwasher is found to not be worth repairing once an engineer has already come out, you may be liable for a separate diagnostic fee. A standard diagnostic fee should be in the region of £50.
Common Faults + Part Costs
Most dishwasher repairs will require a part replacement to get it back up and running. Let’s go over some of the most common faults and which parts may be required. We will also include cost estimates (of course)!
> Dishwasher Not Heating
If your dishwasher is not heating, it is often related to the heating element itself. A new heating element will often cost in the region of £30 to £50 to buy online. If you have a Bosch/Neff/Siemens/Miele dishwasher, expect this to be higher.
> Dishwasher Not Draining
If your dishwasher is not draining, it will often just be a blockage somewhere in the appliance which will require no part replacements. If it’s not a blockage, it may mean your drainage pump has failed. A new drainage pump often costs £15 to £50 to purchase online. This is pretty consistent for most brands.
> Dishwasher Not Cleaning Properly
If your dishwasher is not cleaning the dishes properly, it can be due to the circulation motor being faulty. This is unfortunately a more expensive component and can often cost around £100 to buy online.
> Dishwasher Tripping The Fuse Box
This fault is often related to the plug/socket. This can be repaired quite cheaply with a new dishwasher plug usually costing around £10 to buy online.
There are of course many different issues your dishwasher could face. If your problem is not mentioned here, feel free to give us a call. We offer free advice over the phone for all sorts of appliance related issues. We are always happy to guide you in the right direction.
How long should your dishwasher last?
A dishwasher should last around 10 years, however, we all know that this isn’t always the case. Your dishwasher may be considered beyond economical repair much earlier than the 10 year mark depending on the brand and initial purchase price. If you have purchased a good brand (such as a Bosch), this should last around 10 years. Other brands which may not be seen as super reliable may last much shorter before a major fault pops up.
Should you call a professional or DIY?
We get it, repairing your broken dishwasher DIY-style is often very satisfying but, it can actually make it more difficult to repair by a professional later on if something goes wrong.
If you’re confident and hands-on, feel free to give it a try! On the other hand, if you’re not a super confident hands-on person, it would be best to leave it to the professionals who repair dishwashers for a living.
Please note that many repair centres will not repair a dishwasher which has been opened up by the customer. This is because in many instances, the customer ends up breaking something and making the overall repair much more difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
> Is it worth repairing a 10 year old dishwasher?
It often is! Consider the initial purchase price of the dishwasher and how many previous repairs it has already had. If the initial purchase price was £500 and it has already been repaired twice over the years, it may not be worth the hassle any longer and a new dishwasher may be advisable.
> What is the most expensive part to replace in a dishwasher?
The most expensive part to replace in a dishwasher is often the circulation motor. It can also be the main PCB.
> How long does a dishwasher repair take?
If you call out a professional, a standard repair will usually take around an hour. If your dishwasher is integrated, it may take longer as putting the dishwasher back can sometimes be challenging due to the installation type.
Conclusion
So, is it worth repairing your dishwasher once it breaks? Usually, yes!
If you need help deciding whether you should repair or replace your dishwasher, give us a call, we’ll be happy to guide you in the right direction for free over the phone.