Is It Worth Repairing a Tumble Dryer? Real Costs vs. Replacement in 2026

You walk into the laundry room and hear it-the weird grinding noise, the smell of burning, or worse, silence. Your tumble dryer’s dead. You stare at it, wondering: tumble dryer repair or just buy a new one? It’s not just about money. It’s about time, waste, and whether you’re throwing away something that still has life left.

Let’s cut through the noise. In Adelaide, where winters are damp and clothes hang for days, a working dryer isn’t a luxury-it’s a necessity. But before you drop $1,200 on a new model, ask yourself this: is the problem fixable? And more importantly, is it worth fixing?

How Old Is Your Dryer?

Age matters more than you think. Most tumble dryers last between 10 and 13 years. If yours is eight years old or younger, repair makes sense. If it’s 12 or older, you’re in the danger zone. A 14-year-old dryer isn’t broken-it’s tired. Replacing parts on an old machine is like putting new tires on a car with a rusted frame. It might work for a while, but it’s not reliable.

I’ve seen this a hundred times. A customer brings in a 15-year-old Hotpoint. The drum bearing is shot. The repair? $280. The dryer’s motor’s already on its last legs. The heating element? Worn thin. You fix the bearing, and three months later, the motor dies. Now you’re out $280 and still don’t have a working dryer. That’s not a repair. That’s a money trap.

What’s the Most Common Repair?

Not every problem is equal. Some fixes are cheap and lasting. Others are expensive and temporary. Here’s what actually breaks-and what it costs to fix in Australia, 2026:

• Drum bearing ($200-$350): The most common failure. If the drum wobbles or groans, this is likely it. It’s a solid fix if the rest of the machine is healthy.
• Heating element ($180-$260): If your dryer runs but doesn’t heat, this is usually the culprit. Easy to replace, and if done right, lasts 5+ years.
• Thermostat or thermal fuse ($80-$150): These are safety sensors. If they fail, the dryer shuts off. Cheap fix. Often overlooked by technicians who assume it’s something bigger.
• Drive belt ($120-$200): If the drum doesn’t spin but the motor hums, the belt’s snapped. Simple fix, but if the belt broke because the drum bearing was seized, you’re fixing the symptom, not the cause.
• Motor ($400-$700): This is the red flag. If the motor’s failing, the whole unit is near end-of-life. Rarely worth fixing unless it’s a high-end model.

Here’s the truth: if the repair bill is more than half the price of a new dryer, walk away. A new mid-range dryer costs $650-$900. So if the quote hits $400 or more, you’re flirting with a bad decision.

Is Your Dryer Energy Efficient?

Old dryers are energy hogs. A 10-year-old model uses 5-6 kWh per load. A new heat pump dryer? 1.5-2 kWh. That’s a 70% drop in power use.

In South Australia, electricity prices hit 40c/kWh in late 2025. Running your dryer 3 times a week? That’s $250-$300 a year just in power. A new heat pump dryer might cost $1,100 upfront, but it pays for itself in 3-4 years just on electricity savings. Plus, you get better drying with less shrinkage and less lint buildup.

And don’t forget the government rebates. In 2026, SA still offers up to $400 off heat pump dryers through the Home Energy Efficiency Program. That brings the real cost down to $700. Suddenly, replacing isn’t just smart-it’s cheaper long-term.

What About the Brand?

Not all dryers are built the same. If you’ve got a Bosch, Miele, or LG, repairs are often worth it. These brands use higher-grade parts, and service networks are reliable. Spare parts are still available after 10 years.

But if your dryer’s a no-name brand from a discount warehouse? Or one of those $399 models from Kmart or Harvey Norman? Spare parts are scarce. Technicians won’t even stock them. You’ll wait six weeks for a $45 part that costs $120 to ship. That’s not repair. That’s a waiting game with no winner.

I once had a customer with a 7-year-old Beko. The heating element failed. Quote: $290. I checked the model online. No parts listed anywhere. The manufacturer had discontinued it two years prior. We replaced it with a Miele for $850. Two years later, the customer still raves about how quiet and fast it is. That $560 difference? Worth every cent.

Repair vs. Replace: The Decision Tree

Here’s how to decide in five steps:

1. Check the age. Under 8 years? Repair’s likely worth it. Over 10? Start shopping for a replacement.
2. Get a written quote. Don’t trust verbal estimates. Ask for the cost of parts and labour separately. If labour is more than $150, you’re already in risky territory.
3. Ask about part availability. Can they get the part in 3-5 days? Or will it take 3 weeks? If it’s a specialty part from overseas, walk away.
4. Calculate your energy cost. Multiply your dryer’s kWh use by your electricity rate and how often you use it. If you’re spending $200+ a year on power, a new efficient model pays for itself fast.
5. Look at rebates. Check the SA Energy Saver website. Heat pump dryers still qualify for $300-$400 rebates. That changes the math.

If you answered yes to #1 and #3, and no to #4 and #5? Repair it. If you said no to #1, yes to #4, and yes to #5? Replace it.

What You Lose When You Repair

People forget the hidden costs. When you repair a dryer, you’re not just paying for parts. You’re paying for:

• Time off work to be home for the technician
• Stress from not knowing if it’ll last
• Waiting days without a dryer in winter
• Potential damage to clothes from poor drying

And if the repair fails again? You’re back to square one-with no warranty, no recourse, and a dryer that’s now 12 years old.

Replacing gives you a 2-year warranty. A new machine that dries clothes in 40 minutes. A digital display that tells you when the filter’s clogged. A quiet motor that doesn’t wake the kids. These aren’t luxuries. They’re upgrades that make daily life easier.

When Repair Is the Right Call

There are times when repair makes perfect sense:

• Your dryer is 5-7 years old and only needs a thermostat or belt.
• You’ve got a premium brand with good parts support.
• You’re on a tight budget and can’t afford a new one right now.
• You’re planning to move in the next 1-2 years and just need it to last until then.

But even then, consider this: if you’re spending $300 on a repair, why not spend $500 on a used, certified-refurbished dryer? You get a 6-month warranty, modern efficiency, and a machine that’s only 2-3 years old. It’s the sweet spot between cost and reliability.

Final Verdict: Repair or Replace?

Here’s the bottom line. If your dryer is under 8 years old, the repair cost is under $250, and the part is readily available-go ahead and fix it. You’re saving money and extending a good machine’s life.

If it’s older than 10, the repair costs more than $300, or your electricity bill is climbing? Replace it. Don’t just replace it with any dryer. Go for a heat pump model. They’re quieter, gentler on clothes, and cut your energy use in half. With rebates, the price gap isn’t as wide as you think.

And if you’re still stuck? Call a technician. Ask them: "If this was your dryer, would you fix it or replace it?" Most honest ones will tell you the truth. And that’s worth more than any quote.