Most cookers last 10 to 15 years, but signs like uneven heating, ignition failures, and rising energy bills mean it might be time to replace instead of repair. Learn what affects longevity and how to make the smart choice.
Cooker Longevity: How Long Should Your Oven or Stove Last?
When we talk about cooker longevity, how long a home oven or electric stove stays functional before needing repair or replacement. Also known as oven lifespan, it’s not just about brand names or warranty stickers—it’s about real-world wear, how you use it, and what breaks first. Most ovens and electric stoves last between 13 and 15 years if they’re treated right. That’s not a guess—it’s what repair technicians in South Shields see day after day. But a 10-year-old cooker that’s been slammed with spills, never cleaned, or left on high for hours won’t last half as long as one that’s wiped down weekly and used with care.
Electric stove durability, how well the heating elements, control panels, and internal wiring hold up over time. Also known as appliance repair readiness, it’s often decided by small habits. A cracked glass hob won’t fix itself, and a control board that’s overheated from blocked vents won’t magically recover. These aren’t mysteries—they’re predictable outcomes. The same goes for oven lifespan. If your oven takes twice as long to preheat, heats unevenly, or shows error codes out of nowhere, you’re not imagining it. Those are the real signs it’s running on borrowed time. And here’s the thing: most people wait until the cooker stops working completely. Then they panic. But the best time to think about replacement isn’t when it’s dead—it’s when you start noticing the little things. A flickering light, a door that doesn’t seal right, or a burner that sparks when you turn it on? Those aren’t just annoyances. They’re early warnings.
Repairing a cooker can make sense—especially if it’s under 10 years old and the issue is something simple like a faulty element or thermostat. But if the control board is fried, the wiring is corroded, or the oven cavity is rusted through, you’re throwing money at a sinking ship. That’s where oven replacement, the decision to swap an old cooker for a new one based on cost, safety, and efficiency. Also known as appliance repair vs. upgrade, it’s not about being wasteful. It’s about being smart. In South Shields, we’ve seen families spend £300 on a control board repair, only to have the same oven fail again six months later. Meanwhile, a new, energy-efficient model pays for itself in lower bills over time.
There’s no magic formula for cooker longevity. But there are patterns. Clean it. Don’t overload it. Let it cool. Don’t ignore strange noises. And if you’ve had it longer than your phone, it’s probably time to think ahead. Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve been there—what broke, how long it lasted, and whether they fixed it or walked away. No fluff. Just what actually happened.