Our current dish washer is 20-25 years old. It works just fine. The racks that hold the dishes are not-so-fine. About 5%-10% of the dish holders have rusted and fallen off. That does not affect the quality of the wash, but it reduces the capacity. When I go look for replacement racks (upper and lower), they would cost me $675. That blew my mind. I estimate that a new dishwasher, installed and old one removed to be about $1000.
Given the numbers you laid out … replace (in a heartbeat).
And if there’s any slack in your budget, we’ve had fantastic experiences with both Bosch and Miele DW’s.
I’m reluctant to sink any significant $ into an old appliance especially 67.5% of a new machine. Granted, the newer machines won’t have the durability of your old one but you could easily spend the money fixing yours and then have the motor burn out the next month.
Your only other choice is to see if you can find the same dishwasher used and see if the racks are any good. Huge long shot of course.
Just me, but I’m buying a new machine.
There’s going to be a lot of other components which are at the end of life. You may be fixing one component after another. But for cheap replacement parts, look on ebay. Quite often you can find new parts on ebay for dirt cheap.
But replacement can be worth it because modern dishwashers will be quieter and will be more energy and water efficient. Even aside from the savings of repair cost, a new dishwasher will likely work better and cost less to operate than the one you have.
Tough call. Here’s my prediction:
If you choose to fix it, shortly after installing your new racks, your 20 yr old washer will suffer some catastrophic failure, which wouldn’t be unexpected in an appliance that age.
OTOH, should you spend $1000 on a new washer, you’ll find that finicky electronics and such fail with regularity, such that you mss your simple, reliable old washer.
Having said that, my wife regularly has to fight with our new clothes washer which imbalances ALL THE TIME, and observes that we should have never left our old washer and dryer with the old house. If you are happy with what you have, I’d replace the racks and stick with it. Keep your fingers crossed and hope that should anything else fail, it will be repairable. (Older appliances tend to be more readily repairable than new.)
I base those kinds of decisions entirely on cost and potential inconvenience. A built-in dishwasher uninstall and removal and the installation of a new one is a PITA. And a good new dishwasher isn’t cheap.
So when the latch/interlock assembly on mine broke, it was worth taking the time to find a replacement part. The part cost something like $50 and was easy for me to replace myself. Three years later it’s still running fine and is about ten years old now. A few years ago I saw that exact same model of dishwasher sitting on the curb waiting to be picked up for junk. Not sure if the owner had a major failure or just never seriously investigated getting it repaired. I have no doubt I made the right decision with mine considering it was a pretty minor problem.
OTOH, when my front-load washer blew its main bearing, I quickly discovered that both the parts and the labour would be expensive and not worth it. In fact, literally the entire machine would have to be disassembled to replace the bearing. So I just bought a new (and more reliable) machine from a place that took away the old one at no charge.
I might try to find a used dishwasher, same make and model, with major problems but pristine racks. Buy it, use the parts, scrap the rest.
But, I’m not all that into a dishwasher. I honestly prefer washing dishes by hand.
I wonder if the racks themselves could be repaired instead of replaced. I too would be hesitant to get rid of an old machine that still worked well.
When I replaced my racks on an older dishwasher, I had found them after market for maybe $120. So easy choice.
Current Dishwashers are generally much more efficient than one 25 years old and also better at cleaning and quieter.
If you can’t find replacement racks for under $300, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a new one. Over nearly 30 years, I’ve done a lot of repairs to dishwashers.
I think with more searching though, you could absolutely find replacement racks for far less than $675. Use the model # of the dishwasher and search for replacement racks.
Try places like: Dishwasher Racks | Replacement Parts & Accessories | PartSelect
Some appliances should be treated as disposable assets after a few years. It’s doubtful that appliance technology after 5 years time should be so significantly improved that you should rush out and buy a new one. My philosophy is to make repairs under warranty if you can, and cheap ones after that, then plan to replace the unit when it has a major failure.
I have had dishwashers since the1970’s and clothes washers since the 1950’s, and while the newest ones might have some useful options, they don’t clean dishes or clothes any better than the old ones did. I also find that, after the novelty of trying the new features has worn off, I use the same, basic, simple functions as were available 40 years ago. And disappointingly, sometimes the newer machines are lacking a feature that I depended on before, but the manufacturers think it should be removed. So the “extra” features are often removal of useful older ones.
I recently replaced a 20-year-old dishwasher after wrestling with the repair/replace decision for about a minute.
I am totally satisfied that I made the right choice.
mmm
Is the plastic coating coming of the racks? There is a Plasti Dip coating made especially for repairing dishwasher racks.
New appliances don’t last very long.
Several friends have told me they replaced their 25 year old fridge or Washer and the new one needed service within 5 years.
I’m kicking myself for replacing my 26 year old washer/dryer. They never stopped working. I saw a Labor Day sale and impulsively replaced them. I felt the old Washer used too much water. I wanted Energy efficiency. I found out later how badly they are made. I can’t get my work clothes clean in this washer. My work shirts still smell sweaty and dirt stains are visible. I sweat heavily doing yard work and gardening.
I’ve started washing them in my utility sink with liquid laundry detergent. Then run them through my energy efficient washer. 
I would consider repairing a old dishwasher. It will out last the new ones made in China,
I think you’ve had your money’s worth out of that old machine. There comes a point in any machine’s life when repairs are just not economically viable.
I would research the market and look for a quality replacement. Ignore any preconceived ideas about brands but read reviews and be prepared to spend for quality. You might also consider paying for extended warranty insurance, but research that too - the supplier may not offer the best deal.
Wow. Yep, we replaced a >25 year old washing machine that had serviceable issues about 5 years ago. My gf just decided we needed a more modern machine.
Yesterday my gf told me there was a problem. Our “new” (5 year old) GE washing machine filled/drained but had no agitation or spinning. When I looked for the make/model online I saw that it was only in production 3 years, and there were several known issues.
I began troubleshooting the problem and it is working again, but boy am I disappointed.
I know you’re pretty remote, so there may be extra expenses. But I got this model, delivery was free from Best Buy, they took the old unit, and I installed it myself - it’s not terribly difficult.
That’s the impression I get, tho I’m not sure if it is purely anecdotal. It has shocked me when I looked up expected lifespans on new appliances and seen suggestions in the 5-year range.
We all grew up with major appliances that typically lasted 20 or more years. A washing machine or dryer might need a new belt after12 years. That’s a fairly cheap repair.
The quality of major appliances today is quite a shock.
HVAC has declined too. A 14 year old system is considered old.
Our current (broken) dishwasher which is under warrantee is only 2 years old. We have been trying to get it fixed or replaces now for 3 months…with no end in sight. Parts are slow to come or they finally send parts and they are the wrong ones. The repair guys either call to say they won’t make it or never show up. They don’t return calls.
I wish I had insisted that they give us a new dishwasher months ago. So, IMHO, replace…don’t try and fix, especially right now with the way things are.
There’s your problem. The GE brand got bought by the Chinese and the products are now crap. Not only do they break often, the parts are back ordered for months. Or not available. That goes for Kenmore stuff also which is sourced from GE.
As for the OP, if you can get racks cheap replace them. Our fairly new dishwasher is both quiet and uses little water, important in California these days. And it wasn’t all that expensive. We didn’t go for the more expensive quieter models, but this one is quiet enough.