Guide · San Diego County · Updated November 12, 2026

How Long Do Dishwashers Last?

A dishwasher typically lasts about 9 years, according to the InterNACHI life-expectancy chart. Premium machines are built to a higher standard: Miele tests its dishwashers through 5,600 cycles to simulate 20 years of average use. Here is what the published numbers say, what usually fails first, and how to tell when a repair is still worth it.

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The short answer

Standard dishwasher: about 9 years (InterNACHI life-expectancy chart).
Miele: tested through 5,600 dishwashing cycles, which Miele equates to 5.6 cycles a week, 50 weeks a year, for 20 years.
Cove: no lifespan figure; every dishwasher carries a full two-year warranty.
These are averages, not expiry dates. They tell you when a large repair deserves a second look.

Dishwasher lifespan: what is actually published

Appliance or brand	Published figure	Where it comes from
Standard dishwasher	About 9 years	InterNACHI life-expectancy chart
Miele (G 5000 and G 7000 series)	Tested to simulate 20 years of average use	Miele: 5,600 cycles, 280 a year
Cove	No lifespan figure found	Full two-year warranty
Bosch, Thermador, KitchenAid, Whirlpool, GE, LG, Samsung	No lifespan figure found	See the warranty sheet for your model

Many “lifespan by brand” tables online give a number of years for every brand. We looked for the manufacturer’s own statement behind those numbers and found one only for Miele. Miele states that this test is not a guarantee of a 20-year life.

What usually fails first

Consumer Reports collected breakdown data on more than 381,000 appliances purchased between 2008 and 2018. For dishwashers, members most often reported:

Problem	Share of members who reported it
Stopped cleaning dishes properly	11%
No longer drying properly	9%
No longer draining properly	7%

Poor cleaning usually traces to a clogged filter, spray-arm holes blocked by mineral scale, a weak circulation pump or a water inlet valve. Drying problems point to the heating element or the vent fan. A dishwasher that will not drain usually has a failed drain pump or a blocked drain hose.

Installation matters too. Yale Appliance, which logs 33,190 service calls a year, notes that many dishwasher service calls come from poor installation rather than product failure.

What shortens a dishwasher’s life

A filter that is never cleaned. Food soil recirculates, the pump works harder and the spray arms clog.
Mineral scale. In homes with hard water, scale builds up on the heating element and inside the spray arms.
Blocked spray arms. A tall pan or a utensil that stops an arm from turning leaves part of the load unwashed, cycle after cycle.
A leaking door gasket. Small leaks reach the base pan and the electronics under the tub.
A poor installation. A drain hose without a high loop or an air gap lets dirty sink water flow back into the tub.

Signs it is near the end

Dishes still come out dirty after the filter and spray arms have been cleaned.
Water stands in the tub at the end of the cycle.
Rust appears on the tub, or the tub is cracked.
Water shows up under the door or under the machine.
The pump grinds or hums without moving water.
Control faults return after a repair.

None of these is a verdict by itself. Most also have a repairable cause, and a diagnosis tells you which it is.

Repair or replace: a simple rule

Under 7 years: repair pumps, door latches, seals, inlet valves and control boards.
Premium and panel-ready dishwashers (Bosch, Miele, Cove, Thermador): repair at any age unless the tub is damaged.
Replace: a cracked or rusted tub at any age, or a mass-market dishwasher 8 or more years old that needs a control board or a motor-pump assembly.

Consumer Reports’ guideline is a useful check: if the repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new unit, consider replacing. Typical San Diego repair costs for each appliance are in our repair-or-replace guide.

Habits that add years

Clean the filter once a month.
Check that both spray arms turn freely before you start a load.
Use rinse aid; it helps drying and reduces spotting.
Descale the machine periodically if your water is hard.
Fix a small leak early, before it reaches the electronics.

Common questions

How long should a dishwasher last?

About 9 years for a standard dishwasher, according to the InterNACHI life-expectancy chart. Premium dishwashers are built for longer service: Miele tests its machines to simulate 20 years of average use.

How long does a Miele dishwasher last?

Miele tests its G 5000 and G 7000 series dishwashers through 5,600 cycles, which it equates to 20 years of average use. Miele states that this test is not a guarantee of a 20-year life.

Is it worth repairing an 8-year-old dishwasher?

It depends on the part and the machine. A pump, a latch, a seal or an inlet valve is usually worth repairing. A control board or a motor-pump assembly on a mass-market dishwasher of that age often is not. Premium and panel-ready dishwashers are worth repairing at any age unless the tub is damaged.

What usually fails first on a dishwasher?

Cleaning performance. In Consumer Reports member surveys, 11 percent reported a dishwasher that stopped cleaning dishes properly, 9 percent one that no longer dried properly and 7 percent one that no longer drained.

Who should I call for dishwasher repair?

An appliance repair company. A plumber is the right call only when the problem is in the house drain or the water supply, not in the dishwasher. Alpha Pro Appliance Repair diagnoses dishwashers across San Diego County Monday through Saturday, 7 AM to 6 PM. The $99 diagnostic fee is credited toward the repair.

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