Buy vs Repair Calculator
Compare the cost of repairing an item vs buying new. Factor in lifespan, resale value, and environmental impact.
Enter Your Values
Using shared profile · 3,500/mo · EUR — edit on Dashboard
Results update automatically as you change values.
What-If Scenarios
Results update instantlyCost Breakdown
Cost per Year Comparison
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Total Cost Over 8 Years
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Side-by-Side Comparison
Bars show relative size · ✓ marks the better option- Upfront Cost
- €150
- Expected Life
- 2 years
- Warranty
- None
- Cost per Year
- €91
- Total 8yr Cost
- €900
- Energy Savings/yr
- €0
- Reliability Risk
- 25% failure
- Environmental
- Better (less waste)
- CO₂ Impact
- 75 kg CO₂
- Upfront Cost
- €800
- Expected Life
- 8 years
- Warranty
- 2 years
- Cost per Year
- €19
- Total 8yr Cost
- €150
- Energy Savings/yr
- €50
- Reliability Risk
- Low (warranty)
- Environmental
- Worse (manufacturing)
- CO₂ Impact
- 1,600 kg CO₂
| Factor | Repair | Recommended Buy New |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | €150 | €800 |
| Expected Life | 2 years | 8 years |
| Warranty | None | 2 years |
| Cost per Year | €91 | €19 |
| Total 8yr Cost | €900 | €150 |
| Energy Savings/yr | €0 | €50 |
| Reliability Risk | 25% failure | Low (warranty) |
| Environmental | Better (less waste) | Worse (manufacturing) |
| CO₂ Impact | 75 kg CO₂ | 1,600 kg CO₂ |
Repairing costs €91/year (€150 / 1.6 years adjusted for 75% reliability). Buying new costs €19/year (after €400 energy savings and €250 trade-in/resale). Buying new is cheaper per year, comes with a warranty, and is more energy-efficient. The repair has a 25% chance of failing early — if it does, you'll need another repair costing €150.
Scenario Analysis
How the outcome shifts if your assumptions turn out better or worse than expected.
Repair is reliable, lasts full life
At stated reliability
Repair fails, need another
Compare Scenarios
Pin up to 3 and see them side by sideSet your inputs, then Pin current to save this scenario. Pin a few variations to compare their scores and outcomes here.
What Moves the Needle Most
How much each factor changes your Repair: Cost/Year across its full range. Repair Cost has the biggest impact.
Focus your attention on Repair Cost — getting it right matters most. Factors lower down move the result less, so rough estimates there are fine.
Confidence & Assumptions
The result swings widely between best and worst cases — it depends heavily on assumptions that are hard to predict.
Repair Cost/Year: €300 (worst) → €19 (expected) → €75 (best)
These are the estimates the result depends on. Adjust them (and the Advanced inputs) to match your real situation — the closer they are to reality, the more reliable your decision.
These estimates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Actual results may vary based on factors not captured in this calculator.
How This Calculator Works
What this calculator does
This calculator compares the annual cost of repairing an item versus buying new, factoring in expected lifespan, trade-in value, and resale value.
How the calculation works
We calculate cost per year for each option: repair cost / remaining life vs (new price - trade-in - resale) / new life. The lower annual cost is the better financial choice.
Formula
Repair Cost/Year = Repair Cost / Repaired Life New Cost/Year = (New Price - Old Trade-in - New Resale) / New Life
Example
Repair: €150 for 2 years = €75/year. New: (€800 - €50 - €200) / 8 = €68.75/year. Buying new is slightly cheaper per year and comes with a warranty.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter your numbers
Fill in the inputs for Buy vs Repair Calculator. Defaults are realistic starting points — replace them with your actual figures.
- 2Understand the calculation
We calculate cost per year for each option: repair cost / remaining life vs (new price - trade-in - resale) / new life. The lower annual cost is the better financial choice.
- 3Review results and scenarios
Check metrics, cost breakdown, comparison tables, and best / expected / worst scenarios. Use sliders to stress-test assumptions.
- 4Decide with the verdict
Read the decision engine recommendation and FAQ. Example: Repair: €150 for 2 years = €75/year. New: (€800 - €50 - €200) / 8 = €68.75/year. Buying new is slightly cheaper per year and comes with a warranty.
Factors to Consider
- A repair may fail again, leading to repeat costs
- New items come with warranties and better efficiency
- Repairing is environmentally better (less waste)
- Consider the hassle factor — finding repair services takes time
- Some items (phones, laptops) lose software support with age
Common Mistakes
- Only comparing upfront costs, not cost per year of use
- Forgetting that old items may need more repairs soon
- Not considering energy efficiency improvements in new models
- Ignoring the environmental cost of replacing
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I repair instead of replace?+
When the repair cost per year of additional life is lower than the new item cost per year, and the repair is reliable.
Is repairing better for the environment?+
Yes. Manufacturing new products uses energy and resources. Repairing extends product life and reduces waste.
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important financial decisions.
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