Should You Repair or Replace Your Broken Lawn Mower?

You certainly can use the Magic 8 Ball, but for a more informed decision, check out Consumer Reports’ interactive tool below. Its algorithm is based on data from our unique member surveys to help you answer the repair-vs.-replace question based on the type of lawn mower you own—battery or gas, walk-behind or riding—as well as the price you paid, how long you’ve owned it, and the estimated repair cost. And read on if you need advice on diagnosing the problem with your mower, getting repair estimates, and how to dispose of an old mower responsibly. CR members can also check out our list of high-performing, reliable new mowers.

If you’re a mower maven like Trezza, it’s not so hard to determine what’s causing the problem. But even novices can diagnose a few common issues, especially for a walk-behind mower that isn’t starting.

If your small fixes don’t do the trick—or you own a riding mower or tractor that’s too big to turn over and diagnose—you’ll need a professional repair estimate. 

For a machine under warranty, contact the maker or the dealer. If your mower is older than the warranty deadline, you can go to either a dealer or an independent repair shop. 

Keep in mind that with battery mowers, the battery often has a shorter warranty period than the mower itself. In CR’s battery mower ratings, the typical walk-behind mower has a battery warranty of three years, though some are as short as one year, and others are as long as five years.

If you think another homeowner might have better luck at resuscitating your mower, try selling it or giving it away through NextDoor, Facebook Marketplace, Freecycle, or similar networks. Be fair to the next owner by disclosing the problems.

Mowers are made of lots of metal and plastic parts, some of which can be recycled. So if you plan to junk yours, check with your municipality’s waste disposal or sanitation department for the most eco-conscious way to dispose of it. In some cases, you’ll be told just to leave it by the curb, or to schedule a pickup. In other cases, you’ll need to take it to a landfill or waste disposal center. 

For gas mowers, empty the oil first and dispose of that separately—again, according to local rules. For battery mowers, hold on to the battery for use with your other tools; if it’s totally spent, take it for recycling at a Call2Recycle center—located at Home Depot and Lowe’s locations—or check your municipality for other options. Mower batteries typically contain toxic heavy metals and shouldn’t be put directly into the waste stream.

CR members can read on to learn about several top-rated walk-behind mowers, as well as tractors and other riding mower types. We highlight electric and gas walk-behind lawn mowers, as well as gas riding mowers and tractors that are high performers in CR’s tests—and are made by reliable lawn mower brands, according to data from our member surveys.