If your boiler is over 10–12 years old and the repair costs more than a third of a new boiler (£2,000–£3,500), replacement is usually the better option. Newer boilers are also significantly more energy efficient, potentially saving £200–£400 per year on gas bills. Our calculator weighs all these factors for you.
Generally yes, if the washing machine is under 6 years old and the repair costs less than 50% of a new one. Common repairs like replacing a door seal (£65–£120) or pump (£80–£150) are usually worth doing. Beyond 8 years, replacement often makes more sense.
You answer 5–7 quick questions about your broken item — its age, the fault, previous repairs, warranty status, and urgency. Our algorithm weighs these factors against real UK repair and replacement costs to give you a personalised REPAIR, REPLACE, or BORDERLINE verdict with a confidence score.
Our costs are researched from trusted UK sources including Checkatrade, Which?, MyBuilder, Energy Saving Trust, and manufacturer pricing. All prices are UK averages for 2025/2026 and include typical labour costs.
Yes, Mend or End is completely free to use with no sign-up required. Your answers are processed entirely in your browser — we don’t store any personal data.
The 50% rule is a common guideline: if the repair costs more than 50% of the replacement cost, you should consider replacing instead. However, this varies by item — for a boiler we use roughly 33% because installation costs are high, while for a kettle even 50% might only be £15.
Absolutely! We always recommend getting at least 3 quotes from different tradespeople or retailers. Our costs are UK averages — your actual costs could be higher or lower depending on your location, the specific brand, and the tradesperson.
Yes, for applicable categories like boilers, washing machines, and fridge-freezers, we show how much you could save per year in energy costs with a newer, more efficient model. Sometimes the energy savings alone make replacement worthwhile within 3–5 years.
For many faults, yes! Each result includes a DIY section showing the difficulty level, tools needed, estimated time, and step-by-step guidance. However, some jobs (gas work, electrical work) must be done by qualified professionals — we’ll tell you when that’s the case.
We currently cover 28 categories across Heating & Plumbing, Kitchen Appliances, Home Structure, Electrics, Vehicles, Tech, Garden, and Entertainment.
Each verdict comes with a confidence score. The calculator is most accurate when you know the exact age and fault of your item. It’s designed as a helpful guide — for expensive items like boilers or roofs, we always recommend getting professional assessments too.
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