When an appliance appears to have broken down, start with the checks and maintenance tasks you can safely carry out without taking it apart. ADEME recommends identifying the cause of the problem before replacing the appliance. If the fault persists, a professional diagnosis can help you assess whether it can be repaired. Consider a new appliance if a repair would not restore the performance you need, then compare the relevant features and the applicable index for its category.
When an appliance stops working, basic maintenance checks that don’t involve taking it apart can help you decide what to do next. ADEME recommends looking for the cause of the fault before considering a replacement.
A diagnosis can clarify what work is needed. Before committing, check whether compatible parts are available. For an eligible appliance in France, ask a QualiRépar-approved professional about the Repair Bonus conditions.
When choosing a new washing machine, dishwasher or vacuum cleaner, your needs should come first. Depending on the category, a durability or repairability index can also help you compare models, as explained by the French Ministry of the Economy.
Consider this: when you can carry out a check recommended for the appliance without taking it apart or doing any technical work.
Limitation: if the problem persists or poses a risk, stop checking and contact a professional.
Consider this: when a diagnosis confirms that a repair is possible and the appliance still meets your household’s needs.
Limitation: ADEME notes that parts may not be available or compatible, which can prevent a repair.
Consider this: if the appliance cannot be restored to satisfactory working order or no longer meets your household’s needs.
Limitation: the index shown on some appliances is no substitute for comparing the features that matter for your needs.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cause of the problem | Check the appliance’s maintenance instructions. Only inspect parts you can access safely, such as a filter or a blockage, depending on the model. Leave any technical work to a professional. | I want to find out whether simple maintenance could get the appliance working again before deciding on a repair or purchase. |
| Whether a repair is possible | Ask what fault has been identified and whether compatible parts are available. For the Repair Bonus in France, ask the relevant professional to confirm that your appliance and repair are eligible and that the repairer is QualiRépar-approved. | If my appliance still meets my needs, I want to know whether a professional can get it working again. |
| Information about new appliances | Compare models in the same category. The French Ministry of the Economy lists a durability index for washing machines and, among other products, a repairability index for dishwashers and vacuum cleaners. Check the details of the index that applies. | If I need to replace my appliance, I want to consider how easy it may be to maintain and repair in future, rather than relying on a single score. |
| Everyday use | Check the capacity and dimensions you need. Use the energy label to compare the stated energy consumption and, if noise matters in your home, check the model’s noise information. | A new appliance needs to fit the available space and suit the way my household will use it. |
ADEME recommends looking into the cause of a problem before deciding that an appliance needs replacing. A maintenance issue or blockage, for example, could be behind abnormal operation.
Stick to the checks you can safely carry out as recommended for your appliance. If the problem persists or requires you to take it apart, contact a professional.
The scheme covers certain appliances and repairs, subject to conditions. According to ecosystem, checking that the professional holds the QualiRépar label is one of the things to do.
Before work begins, ask the repairer to confirm that your appliance and its fault are eligible.
Indexes don’t apply to every category, and they don’t tell you everything about a model’s capacity, dimensions or energy consumption.
First compare the features your household needs, then look at the relevant index for models in the same category.
These Joybuy fridges and fridge-freezers are options to consider if you’re thinking about replacing a refrigeration appliance after looking into the fault. Compare their capacity and layout with your needs. Their inclusion here doesn’t determine whether your existing appliance can be repaired.
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If you’re replacing a fridge-freezer, compare its 360 L capacity with the amount of storage you usually need and check that you have enough space for it.
The model name indicates Total No Frost, an energy efficiency class of E, Wi-Fi and My Zone. If future repairability matters to you, check whether compatible parts are available.
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If you’re considering a 444 L appliance, check that this capacity suits your needs and that its dimensions fit the space available.
The model name indicates frost-free operation, an energy efficiency class of E and a stated noise level of 40 dB. This figure alone doesn’t describe how noisy it will seem in your home.
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If you’re replacing a fridge-freezer, check whether the stated split — 252 L for the fridge and 103 L for the freezer — suits the way you’ll use it.
The model name indicates a width of 60 cm, reversible doors, an inverter compressor and an energy efficiency class of E. Also check the space needed to open the doors and allow ventilation.
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If you’re looking to replace an appliance with a 474 L four-door model, measure the space and check that this layout suits your habits.
The model name mentions a crisper drawer with three temperature settings, an adjustable freezer shelf and an energy efficiency class of E. Check the energy label to compare its consumption with other models.
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If you’re replacing a small fridge, check that 92 L is enough for your storage needs and measure the available space before choosing this size.
The model name indicates a freezer compartment and an energy efficiency class of E. Check the energy label if you’re comparing its consumption with other appliances.
No. In France, ecosystem says the scheme covers certain defined categories of equipment owned by households and bought in France. The repair must be carried out by a QualiRépar-approved professional. Check that both your appliance and its fault are eligible before the work begins.
The French Ministry of the Economy says that, since 2025, the durability index has replaced the repairability index for front-loading and top-loading washing machines, as well as televisions. If you’re buying a new washing machine covered by the scheme, consider this index alongside its capacity and other features that matter to your household.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, a repairability index is mandatory for dishwashers and vacuum cleaners, among other products, as well as laptops, electric lawnmowers and pressure washers. It doesn’t automatically apply to every household appliance, so check which index applies to the category you’re comparing.