Refurbishing is not suitable for every product. The table above summarizes the sweet spot. The rule of thumb is simple: If a product's value is more than 3-5 times the cost of common replacement parts, and safety does not depend on its exact original tolerances, refurbishing is viable.
However, refurbishing is not a panacea. Engineers and asset managers must recognize its boundaries. Refurbishing does not reset the fatigue life of mechanical components. A refurbished fan motor with new bearings still has an aged stator winding. Intermittent faults or degraded components (e.g., capacitors near end of life) may not be detected. Also, a refurbished product typically lasts 30-60% as long as a new one, and refurbished items usually have shorter warranties with added conditions.
Always do your homework and be realistic in your expectations.
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