We all know the reflex: the washing machine stutters, the phone screen cracks, or the e-bike loses its punch — and we immediately start browsing for a replacement. But a 2026 study by TNO and the Dutch Association for Circular Economy (NVCE) shows this instinct is costing consumers real money. Choosing repair or refurbishment keeps significantly more cash in your pocket over time, and can extend a product’s life by up to eight years.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
For washing machines, repair delivers the greatest lifetime extension: an average of 7.9 extra years compared to scrapping a faulty machine. The average product price is €638, with maintenance costs of around €229. Repair saves consumers roughly 27% in total annual costs. Without repair, you statistically need 1.85 washing machines over the same period — meaning repair effectively saves you the cost of nearly one full replacement machine.
Smartphones show an even sharper annual saving. Depending on whether you repair the device yourself or use a professional, you save between €24 and €41 per year, while the phone lasts one to two years longer. Without repair, consumers need an average of 1.45 smartphones over the same period — essentially paying for half a phone you didn’t need to buy.
E-bike batteries tell a similar story. Refurbishment — replacing faulty cells rather than the whole battery — extends battery life by over four years and saves an average of €13.61 per year compared to replacement. Consumers who skip refurbishment use an average of 1.83 batteries over the same timeframe. The average product price is €686, with annual refurbishment costs of around €124, representing a 10% overall cost reduction.
The Logic Is Simple: Fewer New Products
The real financial gain lies in avoiding the purchase of expensive new products altogether. Throwing things away at the first sign of a fault is the most expensive habit a household can have. The TNO analysis is consistent across all three product categories: repair keeps the household budget healthy, whether you pick up a screwdriver yourself or call in an expert.
Europe Is Catching Up — Fast
Policy is now reinforcing what the economics already suggest. On 13 June 2024, the EU adopted its Right to Repair directive, requiring manufacturers to make products more repairable, keep spare parts available, and provide consumers with clear repair information. EU member states must transpose this directive into national law by 31 July 2026 — just weeks away.
Combined with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the emerging Digital Product Passport framework, the direction of travel is clear: Europe is building a regulatory environment in which longer product lifetimes are the norm, not the exception.
What Governments Should Do Now
The TNO and NVCE report points to several concrete policy levers that would accelerate the shift toward repair:
Reduced VAT on repair services for electronics would make the economics even more compelling. Austria and Sweden have already cut VAT rates on repairs by 10% and 12% respectively — evidence that this approach works.
Public procurement requirements could push businesses to incorporate repair and reuse into their operations, creating demand-side pressure throughout supply chains.
Maximum pricing on spare parts and publicly accessible repair location databases would remove two of the most common practical barriers consumers face.
Finally, mandatory minimum lifespans and extended legal guarantees per product category would keep manufacturers accountable for longer, making repair the default rather than the exception.
The conclusion of the research is unambiguous: disposing of products at first fault is the most expensive option available. In a city logistics context — where the reverse flow of goods is already a growing priority — the case for building repair into urban supply chains has never been stronger.
Source: TNO/NVCE, Kostenanalyse circulaire strategieën voor consumentenproducten, May 2026 (TNO 2026 R16544)