As with all household appliances, the question of whether to replace a dishwasher will arise at some point. Quite apart from the age of the dishwasher, other factors can play a role, e.g. when a repair is due or when stains or even rust form.

To say it right away: rust is the first sign that we should replace our dishwasher as soon as possible.

Rust on stainless steel - which actually should not rust - is a sign that either poor materials were used in the construction of the dishwasher (stainless steel screws are sometimes skimped on) or that we have used too aggressive cleaners.

Some acidic cleaners attack the top layer of the stainless steel and can cause it to react with the ambient oxygen, resulting in rust stains. This effect can also occur if the surface is scratched with sharp objects.

We therefore always use cleaners that are particularly suitable for stainless steel. In this way, we protect the machine and extend its service life considerably.

Staining on the inside can also be a sign that we have used too aggressive, acidic cleaners. In contrast to rust, however, such tarnished spots are usually not problematic. If we are not sure about this, we can gladly call in a specialist. However, it is not necessarily necessary to replace the dishwasher as soon as possible. However, if the dishwasher has reached an age where it needs to be replaced anyway, these stains can be taken as another sign that our appliance will soon have reached its maximum service life.

Repairs to household appliances are worthwhile in the vast majority of cases. Quite apart from the fact that a careless replacement of an appliance that is only slightly damaged would only unnecessarily increase the electronic waste mountain and thus have a lasting impact on the environment, repairs are usually cheaper than buying a new appliance.
However, if a device has reached a certain age, it may make sense to replace it, even if the repair is affordable.

First of all, it is important to know when the damage occurred. In addition to the statutory warranty, which lasts two years for new appliances and obliges the dealer to repair any damage that occurs in the first six months as if it had not occurred, almost all manufacturers offer a voluntary warranty that lasts from two to five years and includes many repairs.

With some manufacturers, in the event of damage, you then only pay the costs for the hours of work, with others only the material, with still others nothing at all - depending on the damage and the warranty conditions. Some also impose restrictions according to years, i.e. everything is free of charge in the first few years, after which the share of the costs to be borne is staggered according to the age of the appliance. In any case, it is worth asking our appliance manufacturer or the specialist dealer about this guarantee repair.

Such repairs are often carried out as a gesture of goodwill if the damage occurs even though the warranty period has just expired. Here, too, the principle applies: it doesn't cost anything to ask.

For repairs outside the warranty period, we should call in a specialist to help us weigh up whether the repair costs and the age of the dishwasher still justify a repair. Usually, they will come to our home for a small travel fee and first make a diagnosis free of charge, which will help us to estimate what the actual costs will be. Many dishwashers are currently available on the market for €200 and less.

So if we say that the repair should not exceed the current value of the appliance, this is quickly reached after the warranty expires. However, with such appliances you have to make concessions anyway in terms of the quality of workmanship and the performance of the dishwasher. In principle, we can assume that no one gives us anything as a gift, which means that a household appliance for €200 is worth at most that and that savings had to be made somewhere in the production process.

High-quality brand appliances, on the other hand, usually deliver what they promise. They have better workmanship, better energy efficiency and usually also better cleaning results. In the vast majority of cases, repairs are worthwhile, also because the required spare parts are easy to obtain, which is not the case with many no-name appliances and exotic products.

Another factor, even with brand-name appliances, is age. When a repair is due, especially one that is due to mechanical stress, one can actually already foresee when the next one is due. Here we should weigh up carefully whether a repair is still worthwhile. Good brand-name appliances often perform their service for 12-15 years without any complaints - but at some point, even the best quality comes to an end.

In addition, a lot has certainly improved in technical terms during this time. In such cases, energy efficiency can also be a decisive factor in the decision to no longer carry out the repair. In the case of brand-name appliances, we can easily enquire about this on the manufacturer's website, and they will be happy to send us the energy label for our dishwasher.

If the energy label is B or even C, we should think about replacing it. Many modern dishwashers have A or even A , which also means that after replacing them we save quite a bit of money and do something good for the environment. In terms of dishwashing results, a lot has also changed in this time. Modern sensors help with the exact dosage of detergents, rinse aids and salts, the running times adapt to the filling and the dishes are cleaned and cared for better.

So in conclusion, we have to look at several factors and compare them. Of course, our budget also plays a role, because all solutions cost money. Nevertheless, we should always keep in mind that once damage has occurred, the appliance does not necessarily have to be replaced with a new one, and a repair often saves both our wallet and the environment.