Daft question re Turbo actuators

I've got a used actuator that is on a GT1649VA "spare" turbo but it sounds extremely clogged up to be honest

(I am in the process of cleaning the VNT on this turbo itself which is otherwise good).

For the price, £40 odd for an actuator rod, given the condition I have found this one I presume the logical plan is normally to just replace them as its so cheap ?

(it might even stil work, but with the crap that seems to be coming out of it, and racket it makes I'm assuming this may be a long shot and preventitively buying a new one would make sense?)

Thanks all