Money Down the Drain? Why Repairing Your Appliances Could Save You Money
CDA is proud to be supporting AMDEA’s #RepairBeforeReplace campaign, encouraging households to explore repair options before replacing a faulty appliance. With a Lifetime Parts Warranty, directly employed engineers and award-winning customer service, CDA is committed to supporting customers throughout their appliance ownership journey.
When a household appliance starts playing up, it can be tempting to ignore the warning signs, hope the problem goes away or start shopping for a replacement. But before writing off your washing machine, tumble dryer, oven or fridge freezer, it could be worth finding out whether a repair is all that’s needed.
New research commissioned by AMDEA, the UK Home Appliance Association, has revealed that seven in 10 Brits have ignored warning signs on a large household appliance, including overheating, error messages, unusual smells and water leaks.
With household budgets under pressure, taking a moment to explore your repair options could help you avoid unnecessary expense.
At CDA, we believe great appliances deserve great aftersales support. From our dedicated customer care team to our specialist, directly employed engineers, we’re committed to helping customers get the most from their appliances for years to come.
Repair before replace: a smarter approach
The research, which surveyed 2,000 adults, found that 40% ignored warning signs because their appliance appeared to be working, while 33% hoped the issue would resolve itself.
Perhaps more surprisingly, 22% admitted to replacing a large household appliance at the first sign of trouble, without attempting to have it repaired.
Of those who had replaced an appliance, 56% believed their last replacement may have been repairable. Across the past three years, respondents reported spending an average of £399 replacing items that had developed problems.
With 54% of participants saying they had needed to scrimp and save because of the cost-of-living crisis, these findings highlight an opportunity to make household budgets go further.
A fault doesn’t necessarily mean the end of an appliance’s useful life. Seeking professional advice can help you understand the problem, explore the available options and make a more informed decision about whether to repair or replace.
Why are people reluctant to arrange a repair?
Despite the potential savings, only 11% of respondents said they would contact a repair engineer as their first course of action when an appliance develops a problem. Meanwhile, 66% had considered replacing a large household appliance at the first sign of trouble rather than investigating whether it could be repaired.
The biggest concerns were the potential cost of a repair (49%), the age of the appliance (32%) and uncertainty about whether the repair would last (29%).
These concerns are understandable. Nobody wants to spend money on a repair that doesn’t provide lasting value, particularly when replacing an appliance can already be a significant household expense.
However, the research suggests that repair experiences can be positive. Among those who had arranged a repair:
- 47% said their engineer was reliable.
- 40% said the repair had given their appliance years of additional use.
- 33% said arranging the repair was easy.
Checking your warranty status and speaking to a qualified repair professional can help you understand the options available before committing to a replacement.
CDA: Confidence that lasts beyond the sale
At CDA, our commitment to customers doesn’t end when an appliance is installed. We believe long-term value comes from combining quality products with the reassurance of dependable customer support and professional aftersales care.
Lifetime Parts Warranty for added peace of mind
Our Lifetime Parts Warranty reflects our commitment to supporting customers well beyond the initial purchase.
CDA appliances registered within 60 days of purchase from 1 July 2025 qualify for a Lifetime Parts Warranty, capped at 15 years, alongside two years of labour cover, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.
This means that when a covered fault develops, customers can have additional peace of mind knowing that eligible replacement parts are covered for the expected service life of their appliance. Covered parts must be fitted by a CDA-approved engineer, and the warranty applies to qualifying faults in accordance with its terms.
By providing long-term parts cover, we’re helping customers feel more confident in their investment and reinforcing our commitment to making appliances that are supported throughout their useful life.
Find out more about our Lifetime Parts Warranty.
Directly employed engineers who know CDA appliances
When something goes wrong, getting the right advice and support matters.
CDA has a team of directly employed engineers who specialise in our appliances, helping to diagnose faults and carry out repairs where possible. Their product knowledge and technical expertise play an important role in getting appliances back up and running while minimising disruption for customers.
Combined with our dedicated, UK-based customer care team, this means customers have access to knowledgeable support when they need help understanding a fault, checking their warranty or arranging a repair.
Rather than assuming an appliance needs replacing, we encourage customers to contact us and explore the available options first.
Award-Winning customer service
Our focus on customer care has also been recognised by the industry. In 2026, CDA was named Best Manufacturer/Supplier Customer Service at the ERT Awards.
This achievement reflects the commitment of our teams across customer care, technical support and engineering, who work hard to provide a positive experience throughout the appliance ownership journey.
We’re proud of this recognition, but our priority remains the same: providing practical advice, knowledgeable support and dependable service when customers need us most.
For CDA, supporting the #RepairBeforeReplace campaign is a natural extension of that commitment.
Looking after your appliances starts at home
While some faults require professional attention, a little routine maintenance can also help keep appliances working well and reduce the risk of avoidable problems.
Here are a few simple habits worth incorporating into your household routine:
- Keep filters clean. Check and clean appliance filters in line with the manufacturer’s instructions to help maintain performance.
- Look out for warning signs. Unusual noises, error messages, overheating, leaks or unfamiliar smells should not be ignored.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidance. Your appliance’s instruction manual will explain the recommended cleaning and maintenance procedures.
- Check your warranty. If something goes wrong, check whether your appliance is still covered before arranging a paid repair.
- Seek expert advice. If a fault develops, contact the appropriate customer support team or a qualified repair engineer to understand the next steps.
Always follow the manufacturer’s safety guidance. If an appliance is overheating or producing a burning smell, stop using it and disconnect it from the power supply if it is safe to do so. Do not continue using an appliance that may be unsafe.
CDA: Here to help you make the most of your appliances
At CDA, we understand that an appliance breakdown can be disruptive. Whether it’s a washing machine that won’t complete a cycle, an oven that isn’t heating correctly or a fridge freezer that isn’t keeping food cold, knowing where to turn for advice matters.
Our dedicated customer support team is on hand to help customers with appliance queries and guidance on the next steps. Where a repair is needed, our employed engineers provide professional support to help diagnose faults and get appliances working again wherever possible.
Our commitment to customer service has also been recognised through our ERT Award for Best Customer Service, reflecting the importance we place on supporting customers throughout their experience with CDA.
We believe that great customer service goes beyond the initial purchase. Helping customers understand how to care for their appliances, where to find support and what to do when something goes wrong is an important part of that commitment.
By supporting AMDEA’s #RepairBeforeReplace campaign, we’re reinforcing the message that replacing an appliance shouldn’t automatically be the first option. Exploring repair options can help customers make informed decisions, potentially save money and get more life out of the appliances they already own.
Think repair first
AMDEA’s research highlights how easily a potentially repairable appliance can be replaced unnecessarily. With replacement costs adding up and household budgets under pressure, taking the time to investigate a fault could make a real difference.
Before buying a new appliance, check your warranty, consult your instruction manual and seek advice on whether a repair is possible. A simple repair could help extend the useful life of your appliance, save you money and reduce unnecessary waste.
CDA is proud to support AMDEA’s #RepairBeforeReplace campaign. When something goes wrong, don’t rush to replace it. Think repair first.
For support with your CDA appliance, visit our website and get in touch with our customer support team to discuss your query and the options available.
