Repair vs. Replace Calculator

Enter your numbers. This calculator simply divides each option's cost by the years you expect it to last, so you can compare both on the same footing: cost per year. It uses only the figures you type in — nothing is estimated for you.

Cost of the repair ($) Cost of a replacement ($) Current age of the item (years) — for context Extra years you reasonably expect the repair to add Years you reasonably expect a new one to last

Read this first: This is a simplified comparison of your entered costs and expected years, not a forecast of total ownership cost. The two options may have different future repair costs, operating costs, warranty coverage, and resale value.

Your numbers, side by side

Repair: simple cost per expected additional year
Replace: simple cost per expected year
Difference per year
Up-front cash difference today

What this calculator cannot do: it cannot predict whether the repaired item will break again, cannot assign a chance or probability to either outcome, and cannot tell you which choice is right. Cost per year is only one factor. Reliability, warranty coverage, safety, how much you depend on the item every day, and the cost of being without it all matter — and none of them fit in a division problem. If the item is safety-critical (brakes, steering, gas or electrical systems), have a qualified professional make the call with you. Do not use this calculator to decide whether a potentially unsafe vehicle, appliance, gas system, or electrical installation is safe to continue using.

Next step: before approving either option, work through the Repair Quote Checklist — five questions that surface the information estimates usually leave out.