How Long Should a Dishwasher Last? The lifespan of a typical dishwasher is 7 to 10 years. Take this into consideration when deciding whether to repair or replace a malfunctioning unit. If it's only a few years old and the repair cost is less than half of what a replacement would cost, you're better off repairing it. If the repair cost is more than half of replacing it, or you're at or past the 7- to 10-year mark, you're better off replacing it with a new model. You should get a warranty on a new dishwasher, which will keep your repair costs down for the next few years, and a new model may be more efficient which can reduce your operating costs. Over time, you may save more than you spend on the replacement. How to Decide Whether to Repair or Replace Dishwasher Parts Another thing to consider when deciding whether to fix or replace a dishwasher is the part that's broken. If it's an easy-to-replace part like the soap tray or dish rack, it's likely to be cost-effective to replace. Parts that are more integral to the operation of a dishwasher like the hinge mechanism on the door or an electronic control board cost a lot more to replace, both for the cost of the part itself and the labor cost to replace it. Reliable Appliance's appliance repair service can help give you an idea of what part is broken and what kind of cost you'll be looking at to have it fixed.