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Water heaters don't break, they corrode. If you maintain the sacrificial anode rod, you can easily get 20-30 years out of a water heater. Problem is, it's easier to ignore and replace the whole shebang.
If it were my water heater, I'd drain the tank and see what kind of condition the water is in at the bottom. If it's clear and no sediment comes out, replace the burner and be done with it. They aren't expensive and can easily be done DIY. And replace the anode to make sure the tank doesn't become the food for the corrosion.
Also, if you decide to go new and don't already have one, code requires an expansion tank to be installed with a new water heater which will add another $500 to the bill if a plumber does it. The tank itself is only $40 but it's required so you pay whatever one charges to install it. Just something to think about if your plumber hasn't mentioned it.
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