Replace Oven vs Repair: When to Fix It or Buy New

When your oven stops working, the big question isn’t just replace oven vs repair—it’s whether you’re wasting money or making a smart choice. An oven is a home appliance, a device used daily for cooking, heating, and baking that can last over a decade with proper care. Also known as a range oven, it’s one of the most used and most expensive appliances in the kitchen. Most ovens last 13 to 15 years, but when something breaks, you’re left wondering: is this the end, or just a simple fix?

Let’s cut through the noise. If your oven doesn’t heat up, it’s often just a heating element, a simple coil that glows red when powered, responsible for generating heat inside the oven cavity. Replacing it costs under £100, including labor, and takes less than an hour. But if the control board, the electronic brain that manages temperature settings, timers, and safety features. Also known as a oven motherboard, it’s failing, you’re looking at £300 or more. That’s often more than half the price of a new entry-level oven. And if your oven is over 10 years old? You’re not just fixing a part—you’re buying time on a machine that’s already used up most of its life.

Here’s what actually matters: cost, age, and frequency. If a repair costs more than half the price of a new oven, walk away. If you’ve fixed it twice in the last year, it’s not a coincidence—it’s a pattern. And if your oven takes 30 minutes to preheat or cooks food unevenly, it’s not just annoying—it’s wasting energy. Modern ovens are 20% more efficient than those made 15 years ago. That adds up on your bills.

Some people fix ovens because they’re attached to them. Others fix them because they think new ones are too expensive. But here’s the truth: a new oven doesn’t have to break the bank. You can find reliable models under £400. And if you’re keeping an old oven just to avoid spending, you’re really paying more—in electricity, in frustration, in time lost waiting for it to work right.

Don’t guess. Look at the facts. Check your oven’s age. Track how often it’s broken. Compare repair quotes to new unit prices. If you’re unsure, a quick diagnostic from a local tech can tell you if it’s worth fixing. Most honest repair shops will tell you straight: "This isn’t worth it." And they’re not trying to upsell you—they’re saving you money.

Below, you’ll find real-world guides on what breaks most often in ovens, how much each repair actually costs, and exactly when to stop fixing and start replacing. No fluff. No sales pitches. Just what works, what doesn’t, and what you need to know before you make your next move.