Should I repair or replace my tumble dryer?
Vented dryers are simple and usually repairable. Condenser and heat-pump dryers add a refrigeration circuit that, when it fails, often costs as much as a new mid-range unit. Heating element, thermal fuse and drum belt failures are virtually always worth fixing on any dryer under 8 years old.
Updated April 25, 2026
- · Repair economics
- · Replacement price logic
- · Expected lifespan
- · Safety considerations
Live market data isn't available yet for this tumble dryer
You can still get an honest repair-or-replace verdict — the calculator works fully with a manual replacement price. Here's how to estimate one well:
- ·Look up a comparable like-for-like new model from a reputable retailer.
- ·Avoid the cheapest unknown listings — they distort the benchmark.
- ·Include delivery, installation and disposal of the old unit.
- ·Subtract any realistic resale or trade-in value to get net replacement cost.
- ·Use a typical mid-range price, not the absolute cheapest or most premium.
We never show fabricated prices. If a live snapshot isn't there, it's because we don't have reliable offers for this category right now.
- · Replacement prices are fetched from configured live price providers when available.
- · The benchmark uses reliable in-stock offers — not the cheapest random listing.
- · Manual inputs are used when live data is unavailable; we never fabricate prices.
- · Repair costs are user-supplied unless clearly labelled as estimates.
- · Prices change. Always confirm before purchasing.
When repair makes sense — and when it doesn't
Repair when…
- ·Dryer is under 8 years old
- ·Fault is heating element, thermal fuse, belt, or drum bearing
- ·Repair quote is under 35% of a new comparable model
- ·Drum, cabinet and motor are otherwise sound
Replace when…
- ·Heat pump compressor or refrigerant circuit has failed
- ·Dryer is 10+ years old with a major motor or control-board fault
- ·Repair quote is above 50% of new
- ·Energy bills make a heat-pump model pay back in under 4 years
Common tumble dryer failures
Honest verdicts based on typical repair cost vs. remaining lifespan.
| Fault | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Heating element burnt out | Repair | Standard part on most vented and condenser dryers, modest cost. |
| Thermal fuse blown | Repair | Cheap part — but always investigate why it blew (usually airflow). |
| Drum belt snapped | Repair | Low-cost mechanical fix, well worth it on most models. |
| Heat pump compressor failed | Usually replace | Sealed refrigeration system — repair often hits 70%+ of new. |
| Control board failure | Borderline | Get a written quote first — boards are pricey and sometimes discontinued. |
Common problems that move the needle
These are the failure areas the TopOrHop calculator weighs when scoring your tumble dryer. Severity and repair complexity directly influence the recommendation.
| Failure area | Severity | Repair complexity | Effect on recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lint filter / vent blockage | Usually minor | Low | Pushes the score toward repair — small cost, big remaining value. |
| Thermal fuse | Often moderate | Low | Decision depends on age and quote. Run the calculator. |
| Heating element | Often moderate | Moderate | Decision depends on age and quote. Run the calculator. |
| Drum belt | Often moderate | Moderate | Decision depends on age and quote. Run the calculator. |
| Drum bearing / roller | Often moderate | Moderate | Decision depends on age and quote. Run the calculator. |
| Door switch | Usually minor | Low | Pushes the score toward repair — small cost, big remaining value. |
| Moisture sensor | Often moderate | Moderate | Decision depends on age and quote. Run the calculator. |
| Motor | Can be major | High | Pushes the score toward replacement on older units. |
| Heat pump compressor | Can be major | High | Pushes the score toward replacement on older units. |
| Control board | Can be major | High | Pushes the score toward replacement on older units. |
We don't list precise repair costs here — they vary too much by region, brand and labour rates. Your actual quote drives the decision in the calculator.
- ·Lint build-up is the leading cause of dryer fires — clean filters every cycle and the vent annually.
- ·Always isolate from power and gas (where applicable) before inspection.
- ·Never bypass a thermal fuse without diagnosing the root cause.
Read the full methodology — inputs, scoring, lifespan model, confidence weighting, and what we never include.
Worked example
7-year-old heat pump dryer, refrigerant leak
Repair is 77% of replacement on a unit already past its midpoint. A new model also recovers cost via lower running energy.
This is an illustrative example. Run the calculator with your actual figures for your specific recommendation.
Run the numbers on your tumble dryer
We'll combine your repair quote, the live replacement benchmark above, lifespan and reliability into one transparent recommendation — with confidence and next steps.
Start the tumble dryer repair or replace calculatorFAQ
How long does a tumble dryer last?
Vented dryers typically last 10–13 years; heat-pump models 8–12.
Why is my dryer not heating?
Most often a heating element, thermal fuse or thermostat — all cheap to repair.
Are heat-pump dryers worth the upgrade?
Often yes — they use ~50% less electricity than vented models. Payback is typically 3–5 years if you dry frequently.
Read next: deciding well
Five short guides that cover the most common questions about your tumble dryer decision.
When the classic 'half of new' shortcut works — and when it misleads.
Sanity-check the quote, ask the right questions, decide objectively.
Age shifts the math more than most people realise.
Reliable offers beat random low-ball listings — here's why.
When a refurb of a newer unit beats fixing your old one.
Affiliate disclosure. Some replacement offers below may earn us a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate compensation does not influence the repair-or-replace recommendation — that is calculated from your inputs and benchmark prices before any offers are shown.