How Long Does a Washing Machine Last? Real Lifespan and When to Replace

When you buy a washing machine, a household appliance designed to clean clothes using water and mechanical action. Also known as a laundry washer, it’s one of the most used devices in your home—running dozens of cycles a year, often under heavy loads. How long it lasts isn’t just about brand or price—it’s about usage, care, and the parts that wear out fastest.

Most washing machines last between 8 to 12 years, but that’s just an average. Some die at 6 years from poor maintenance; others push past 15 with simple fixes. The real question isn’t just age—it’s whether it’s still worth fixing. If your machine is 7 years old and starting to shake, leak, or not spin right, you’re at the tipping point. Repairing a 7-year-old washer often makes financial sense, especially if the fix is under $200. But if the drum bearing is gone, the control board is fried, or it’s using twice the electricity it used to, replacement might be smarter. The appliance repair cost, the total price to fix a broken home appliance including parts and labor matters more than the age. A $150 pump replacement can add 3 more years. A $500 motor swap? You’re halfway to a new machine.

What kills washing machines? It’s rarely the big stuff. It’s usually the little things ignored: dirty filters, overloading, hard water buildup, or leaving wet clothes in too long. These habits wear out the washing machine maintenance, routine actions like cleaning the drum, checking hoses, and unclogging filters to extend appliance life components faster. A simple monthly wipe-down and filter clean can add years. And if you notice a strange noise, a slow spin, or water pooling under the machine, don’t wait. Early fixes are cheap. Late fixes cost more—and sometimes mean buying new anyway.

Here’s what you’ll find in the posts below: real stories from people who fixed their 8-year-old washer and saved hundreds. Guides on spotting when the drum bearing is failing. Cost breakdowns between repairing and replacing. And yes—what actually happens when your machine hits 10 years old. No fluff. Just what works in homes around Bridgewater, based on what technicians see every week.