Is It Worth Repairing or Replacing Your Fridge?
Not every fridge fault is worth fixing — but plenty are. Here is a practical way to decide between a repair and a new fridge, based on the unit's age, the fault, and what a repair actually involves.
Published 2026-06-07 · Van Biljoens Appliance Services & Air Conditioning
Need it sorted now? Van Biljoens offers fridge and freezer repairs in Pretoria — assessed and quoted before any work begins.
The quick rule of thumb
A repair usually makes sense when the fridge is relatively young and the fault is a common, fixable one. Replacement starts to make sense when the unit is old and the fault is a major sealed-system or compressor failure on a basic model. Most decisions come down to weighing the age of the unit against the cost and type of the fault.
When a repair usually makes sense
- ✓ The fridge is relatively young — many quality units run well beyond ten years with the right care.
- ✓ The fault is a common, fixable one — a thermostat, fan, door seal, defrost component, relay or control board.
- ✓ It is a good-quality or higher-end unit where a like-for-like replacement would be expensive.
- ✓ It is a built-in or integrated model fitted into a kitchen, where replacing means matching size and finish.
When replacement may be the better call
- ✓ The unit is old and has a major fault, such as a failed compressor or a serious sealed-system leak, on an inexpensive model.
- ✓ It has had repeated, unrelated faults — a sign it is reaching the end of its life.
- ✓ It is very inefficient, so it costs noticeably more to run than a modern equivalent.
- ✓ Spares for that model are difficult to source.
How to get a clear answer
The most reliable way to decide is to have the fault properly diagnosed, then compare the repair quote against the cost of a suitable replacement. Van Biljoens assesses your fridge in our Pretoria workshop — the R300 assessment fee covers inspection, testing and diagnosis, and is deducted from the repair cost if you go ahead.
We will tell you honestly what the fault is and what the repair involves, so you can make the call with real numbers rather than a guess. Domestic fridges and freezers can be collected and delivered across Pretoria and surrounding areas.
Ready to take the next step?
Van Biljoens has been supplying and servicing Pretoria since 1956. We are here to help.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a fridge last?
Many quality fridges run well past ten years with reasonable care, while cheaper units may have a shorter life. Age on its own does not decide it — a younger fridge with a common fault is usually worth repairing, and an older one with a major sealed-system failure often is not.
Is it worth fixing a fridge compressor?
It depends on the unit. On a good-quality or built-in fridge, a sealed-system or compressor repair can still be worthwhile; on an old, inexpensive model it is often better to replace. The honest way to decide is a proper assessment and a written quote to compare against a new unit.
How much does a fridge assessment cost?
A R300 assessment fee is paid upfront when you hand the unit in or have it collected; it covers inspection, testing and diagnosis. If you accept the repair quote the R300 is deducted from the total. If you decline, or the unit cannot be repaired, the R300 remains payable for the assessment work done.
Do you repair built-in and integrated fridges?
Yes. Built-in and integrated fridges are often well worth repairing precisely because replacing them means matching the size and finish to your kitchen. Bring it to our Pretoria workshop, or ask about collection for domestic fridges and freezers.