Dishwashers: Dishwasher parts and spares Dishwasher parts
Worn-out or faulty dishwasher parts can often be at the bottom of breakdowns, so if something goes wrong with your appliance, it's well worth checking whether a replacement part can be used to get your dishwasher back up and running again.
But how much do spare dishwasher parts such as motors, spray arms and filters cost – and how easy it is to replace these parts yourself? This guide aims to answer common questions around dishwasher parts as well as offer more detailed help with sourcing cheap spare parts for big brand names including Bosch, Hotpoint and Zanussi.
Dishwasher parts
| Dishwasher parts and spares - typical costs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher part | Typical cost of replacement part | When you might need to replace the part | DIY or job for a professional? |
Pump motor | £80 - £200 (including labour) | If your dishwasher won't turn on. | Professional |
Detergent dispenser | £40 - £70 | If your dishwasher isn't releasing detergent during a washing cycle. | DIY |
Heating element | £30 - £65 | If your dishes aren't properly dry. | Professional, or confident DIY-er |
Spray arms | £10 - £50 | If your machine still produces poor cleaning results even after checking for blockages. | DIY |
Filter | £10 - £30 | If dishwasher cleaning is poor and there's water in the bottom of the machine. | DIY |
Cutlery basket | £7 - £25 | If your basket is cracked or broken. Replacement basket runners also available. | DIY |
Drain / outlet hose | £5 - £15 | If your dishwasher is leaking or not emptying properly. | Professional, or confident DIY-er |
This is just a snapshot of prices. Dishwasher parts and spares costs will vary depending on the type and brand of dishwasher.
Replacing a dishwasher part
Many dishwasher repairs, such as replacing a filter or spray arm, can be relatively simple to carry out yourself – saving you having to pay repairer call-out charges. Where the electrics and motor are concerned, though, you should leave it to the professionals. You can find appliance repairers used and recommended by Which? members using the Which? Local service. Here are a few more pointers.
- Before attempting any repair work, make sure your dishwasher is switched off and unplugged.
- If you're experiencing poor cleaning or drainage, check whether the filters or spray arms are clogged. Simply unblocking these can often solve the problem.
- Double check that the part is compatible with your dishwasher – the model number will be on the appliance itself, often at the side of the dishwasher door, or in your instruction manual.
- Use the instructions provided with the spare part.
- 'Universal' spare dishwasher accessories designed to fit all models, such as cutlery baskets, can be cheaper than manufacturer parts – but make sure you measure up beforehand.
- Check your guarantee – some products have parts guarantees lasting longer than a year, which means you might be covered for certain faults.
- If all else fails or you're unsure of what you're doing, call in a professional.
- Compare quotes from more than one repairer before committing to the work.
Parts and spares for your dishwasher are available from manufacturers, and online
Where to buy dishwasher parts
Dishwasher parts are most commonly sourced via the manufacturer, and many have dedicated websites or phone lines where you can get genuine official spare parts. But manufacturers aren't the only source of dishwasher and other appliance spares – an increasing number of spare parts outlets, including Which? Member favourites Espares, and Partmaster, also stock genuine spares.
You can also buy 'universal' or 'one-size-fits-all' spare parts, designed to be used with all dishwasher models. For non-mechanical accessories such as cutlery baskets and cup holder inserts, this can be a low-cost option – but domestic appliance body Amdea recommends customers choose genuine and approved spare parts made by the manufacturer, otherwise you may invalidate your product guarantee.
Our individual pages on Bosch dishwasher spares, Hotpoint dishwasher spares and Zanussi spares cover where to buy spare parts for those brands in more depth, or refer to our list of dishwasher spares contacts.
Repair or replace your dishwasher?
A current Which? Best Buy dishwasher costs from around £180 – so it's worth considering whether it's feasible to fix your current dishwasher before buying a new one. Consider how old your dishwasher is, whether it's broken down before and how severe the problem is.
Replacing a broken dishwasher pump motor, for example, can be pricey – and, if the machine is out of warranty, it may not be worth repairing at all. Other common dishwasher problems such as poor cleaning or drainage can often be avoided altogether simply by regularly cleaning and unblocking clogged spray arms or filters.
Dishwasher reliability
If you're looking for a new dishwasher that's less likely to give you problems in the future, cross reference our current Best Buy dishwashers with the results of our dishwasher brand reliability survey.
We rigorously test each dishwasher's cleaning and drying abilities, energy and water efficiency, noise and reliability – and only the top overall performers achieve a Which? Best Buy recommendation.
Our latest dishwasher reliability survey asked more than 9,000 Which? members to give us their views about dishwasher brands including Whirlpool, Miele, Bosch, Neff and Hotpoint, and reveals which brands scored the best and worst for product reliability and aftercare.
- Use our repairs tool to find out how to repair your dishwasher
- Watch our video to find out how we test dishwashers
- Find out which dishwashers are the best in our dishwasher reviews
