• On average, lawn mowers last 10 to 15 years, and there are some signs you should watch for that it needs to be replaced.
• Visible rust, rough use, major parts failing, and extensive repairs often indicate the end of its lifespan.
• If the warranty is expired or you want to switch from gas to battery power, those are other indicators.

Lawn mowers work hard, so occasional repairs are not unusual. It can be difficult to determine whether you need to buy a new mower or if you can keep repairing your current machine. 

To help you make the best decision, we spoke to three landscaping and lawn mower experts about the signs you need a new lawn mower.

Age

According to Justin Urbanek, a manager with John Deere, a lawn mower should last 10 to 15 years. He adds that lifespan depends on the hours used annually and the applications it is used in. 

Lou Manfredini, a home expert with Ace Hardware, agrees that most mowers can last up to 10 years—but only if they are well-maintained and well-serviced.

Eventually, the wear and tear of age takes its toll, and you will need to buy a new mower.

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Rusty Body

Coleman Cosby, a licensed landscape contractor with Yardzen, says extensive and visible rust is another sign that you might want to replace your lawn mower.

Rough Use

Mowers used on slopes or with attachments will wear faster than mowers used on a flat yard, Urbanek says. That’s because the components work harder. In addition to slopes, other rough conditions include:

• Rocky turf
• Mowing wet grass
• Objects like pipes or pavement
• Mowing tall grass

Major Parts Failing

If the lawn mower needs a new engine or, in the case of riding mowers, a new transmission, you might need a new mower, Urbanek says. If the machine is over 10 years old, it’s likely not worth continuing to repair the machine.

Switching Power Sources

Several municipalities have banned gas-powered lawn mowers and leaf blowers. If your community is one, or if restrictions are proposed, you may want to buy a new mower.

“If you are considering switching power sources—like switching from gas to electric—that might help make the decision to replace the old mower,” Cosby says.

Expensive Repairs

Lawn mowers are relatively simple to repair. Owners with limited mechanical skills should be able to fix a mower that won’t start or clean the mower’s air filter. But when repair costs mount, it may be time to replace the mower.

“You should weigh the cost of repairs and maintenance against the cost of a new mower,” Urbanek says. “Each person will have a different threshold for these costs, and it’s important to outline that before going into the decision.”

Expired Warranty

Consider the warranty offered by the lawn mower’s manufacturer. A mower with less time left on the warranty might mean it’s better to buy a new machine.

Lifespan by Mower Type

Different types of mowers have varying repair needs, so factor these into your decision about buying a new mower.

Gas Push Mower

Gas push mowers require extensive maintenance and can be more difficult to keep running well than electric models. If you don’t maintain your gas mower well, it will have a much shorter lifespan.

“Gas push and riding mowers are similar to cars,” Cosby says. “Declining performance and increasing repair costs can mean that it’s time to replace.”

Cordless Mower

“Battery products will require less maintenance over the life of the product,” Urbanek says. “But understand that the life expectancy of the battery matches the life expectancy of the physical mower.”

Battery-operated mowers may outlast the batteries, which can make up the bulk of the cost of the mower, adds Coleman Cosby.

“If the batteries are no longer holding a charge for a reasonable amount of time and need to be replaced, you’ll want to weigh the cost of just new batteries against a new mower with new batteries,” Cosby says.

Corded Electric Mower

Plug-in electric mowers tend to be fairly inexpensive, Cosby says. If your corded electric mower has failed, it might make sense to buy a new mower.

Though managing the extension cord can be a challenge, corded electric lawn mowers are quiet and lightweight. They’re also greener than battery models because they plug directly into household 120V current.

Manual Push Mower

“Manual push mowers, if well maintained and stored well, really have an unlimited lifespan,” Cosby says.

Cosby cautions that manual push mowers tend to become rusty. “If the blades are old and no longer able to be sharpened, it might be time to replace the mower.”