For almost every current Moto G model, repairing the screen costs far less than replacing the phone — parts run £14.98 to £40.59 across the range we stock, against new Moto G phones typically priced from roughly £100 to £200-plus depending on the model.1 Repair is usually the better value. The exceptions are narrower than people expect — here's how to actually work it out for your phone rather than assuming.
The comparison, in three numbers
Direct answer: compare the screen part cost, the fitting cost (which can be zero), and a genuine current replacement-phone price — not a remembered launch price from when you bought the phone, which is almost always higher than what a comparable model costs to replace with now.
- Screen part cost: £14.98 to £40.59 depending on model — see the full price guide for your exact one, or the main model guide to confirm which Moto G you have first.
- Fitting cost: £0 if you DIY (see our fitting guide), or a labour-only charge if a technician fits a part you've supplied — typically cheaper than a shop supplying and fitting their own part.
- Replacement phone cost: a new or comparable-generation Moto G typically runs from around £100 upward, and considerably more for recent models like the G84.1 A second-hand or refurbished replacement can be cheaper, but adds its own uncertainty around battery health, warranty and condition that a straightforward screen repair simply doesn't carry.
Even at the higher end of our screen pricing (£40.59 for the G84's AMOLED panel), that's still a fraction of a new phone's cost — which is why repair is the default sensible choice for a screen fault specifically, on essentially every model in the current range.
When replacing the phone might actually make more sense
| Situation | Why it changes the maths |
|---|---|
| Multiple faults stacking up (battery, camera, frame damage) alongside the screen | Combined repair cost starts approaching a replacement phone's price, even though each individual repair is cheap |
| A very old generation model that's already slow for your needs | You'd likely replace it soon regardless of the screen fault, so the screen repair is only delaying an inevitable upgrade |
| You specifically want newer features (camera, battery life, software support) | The screen fault is simply the trigger; the underlying motivation is upgrading, not fixing |
| The phone is out of software support and you have security concerns | Repairing extends the life of a device that may no longer receive security updates — a separate consideration from the repair cost itself |
If none of these apply and the screen is genuinely the only issue, repair is very likely the better-value choice, and by a wide margin — not a close call.
Why people overestimate replacement-phone value and underestimate repair value
Two cognitive biases work against a clear-eyed comparison here. First, people tend to remember what they originally paid for their phone, which is usually higher than what a comparable current or refurbished model costs today — phone prices fall over time, and comparing against a launch-day price overstates how much you're "saving" by not repairing. Second, a cracked or dead screen makes a phone feel more broken than it actually is, which nudges people toward "just replace it" even when the rest of the phone — camera, battery, storage, performance — is entirely fine. Both biases push toward replacement; neither reflects the actual maths in most cases.
Working it out for your model
Check your exact model's screen price in our Moto G screen replacement guide, confirm it's genuinely a screen fault (not battery/board) using our diagnostic guide or our broader fault-diagnosis guide, then compare that price against what a similar-generation replacement phone genuinely costs right now — prices move, so check current listings rather than relying on older figures or memory.
A second-hand replacement isn't automatically the cheap option
It's tempting to assume a used or refurbished Moto G will always beat a repair on price, but this isn't guaranteed once you account for what you're actually buying. A second-hand phone comes with unknown battery health (batteries degrade with use and time regardless of screen condition), no manufacturer warranty in most cases, and uncertain overall condition beyond the listing photos. A screen repair on a phone whose battery, camera and performance you already know and trust removes all of that uncertainty for a fraction of even a modest second-hand phone's price.
Delivery & returns
- Same working-day dispatch on orders placed before 4:00pm, Monday to Friday.
- 30-day returns if an item arrives faulty.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it ever not worth repairing a Moto G screen?
Rarely, if the screen is the only fault — the part cost is low relative to a replacement phone. It's more likely not worth it if the phone has multiple faults stacking up, or you specifically want a newer model's features.
Is a second-hand replacement phone cheaper than repairing?
Sometimes on price alone, but it adds uncertainty around battery health, warranty and condition that a straightforward screen repair doesn't have — the true cost comparison should account for that uncertainty, not just the sticker price.
How do I know if it's just the screen and not something else?
Check for signs of life — vibration, sound, charging light — with the screen off. See our screen fault diagnostic guide for the full check.
What if my Moto G has both a broken screen and a failing battery?
This is exactly the scenario where the maths shifts toward considering a replacement, since two repairs together cost more and the phone's overall remaining lifespan becomes a more relevant factor than either fault individually.
Does the age of my Moto G affect whether repair is worth it?
Indirectly, yes — a very old model you'd likely replace soon regardless makes a screen repair a shorter-term fix, whereas a newer model has more remaining useful life to justify the repair cost against.
Should I repair or upgrade if I just want a better camera or battery life?
If a screen fault happens to coincide with wanting newer features, that's a genuine reason to consider upgrading rather than repairing — but it's a different decision from "is repair worth it," which on cost alone, almost always favours repair.
1. Indicative UK retail pricing for Moto G-series phones from third-party price-comparison sources, current at time of writing — not The Repair Plus's own pricing. New-phone prices vary by retailer and change frequently; check current listings before relying on this comparison.