Is it worth repairing?

The general rule: if the repair costs less than half the price of a comparable new unit, and the rest of the unit is in good shape, repair it. Beyond that, it depends on what you have and what it’s worth to you.

TVs

• Usually worth repairing: sound but no picture (backlight), won’t turn on or stuck on standby (power board), flickering or clicking on and off, no signal on some inputs.
• Usually not worth repairing: a cracked or impact-damaged screen, lines or blotches caused by a failed panel, OLED burn-in. Replacement panels usually cost more than a new TV.
• Grey area: mainboard faults on budget TVs. We’ll tell you honestly when the repair is close to the price of a new set.

Amplifiers and AV receivers

Almost always worth repairing if the unit is mid-range or better. Protection mode, one dead channel, HDMI board failures and power supply faults are all repairable, and a good amplifier outlives several TVs. Budget receivers with a failed HDMI board can be borderline.

Projectors

Lamp replacements, fans, power boards and dust in the optics are all worth fixing on a home cinema or business projector. A failed light engine or LCD panel on an older data projector often isn’t — we’ll quote both ways.

Digital pianos

Sticky keys, dead notes, no sound and faulty buttons are worth repairing on a Clavinova or other console piano. A replacement costs thousands, and most faults are mechanical or a single board.

Vintage hi-fi

Classic receivers, amps and turntables are usually worth restoring. Parts are still available for most, and a restored unit holds its value.