Before replacing a broken household appliance, check whether a repair could get it working again within an acceptable timeframe. If replacement is necessary, compare the condition and protections offered with a refurbished appliance against the features of a new model. For a new washing machine in France, the durability index can help inform your choice, but you should still check the dimensions, capacity and after-sales service.
When washing, food storage or cooking is disrupted, getting your appliance working again quickly matters. ADEME points out that a breakdown doesn’t necessarily mean the whole appliance needs replacing. Ask how long a repair is likely to take before deciding whether to buy a new one.
If the appliance still suits your household, compare the repair diagnosis and quote with the terms offered for a refurbished or new replacement. In France, also ask the repairer whether the Repair Bonus applies to your appliance and its fault.
Before replacing your appliance, check how easy it is to access parts and after-sales service for the model you’re considering. For a new washing machine sold in France, the durability index gives you another factor to compare across models suited to your needs.
Start by finding out whether your appliance can be repaired. Then compare replacement options if a repair won’t meet your needs.
Worth considering: the appliance still suits your household and a professional can confirm that it can be repaired, and how long it will take.
Check: eligibility for the Repair Bonus depends, among other things, on the appliance category, the fault, whether the appliance is covered and whether you use a QualiRépar repairer.
Worth considering: you need a replacement and a professional seller provides a clear description of the specific item being sold.
Check: refurbishment tests alone don’t tell you how much useful life the appliance has left or whether parts are available for that model.
Worth considering: a repair isn’t suitable and you can compare models that fit your household’s installation and usage requirements.
Check: the durability index applies to washing machines and televisions sold in France, not all household appliances.
| What matters to you | What to check | Consumers who share this concern |
|---|---|---|
| Getting back up and running quickly | Quoted time for diagnosis and repair; delivery and installation time if you replace the appliance. | When an essential appliance breaks down, I want to know which option will help me get back to my usual routine without unnecessary delays; around 42% of consumers prioritise how quickly the appliance can be put back into service. |
| Avoiding a rushed purchase | Repair quote and possible eligibility for the Repair Bonus; condition and protections offered with a refurbished appliance. | If my appliance can still be used, I’d rather look into getting it repaired before buying another one, while also checking what protections come with the purchase; around 33% of consumers prioritise this decision. |
| Planning for future repairs | Parts and after-sales service for the model; its durability or repairability index, where applicable to that category. | If an appliance is meant to stay in my home for a long time, I want to be able to assess how repairable it is before choosing it; this is the top concern for around 25% of consumers. |
According to ADEME, a breakdown may be caused by a part that can be repaired rather than the whole appliance. Buying a replacement straight away could mean missing out on an option that still suits your household.
Ask a professional for a diagnosis, quote and timescale, then compare these with how quickly you could get back up and running by replacing the appliance.
Function tests carried out during refurbishment don’t, by themselves, tell you about the item’s cosmetic condition, included accessories or the availability of parts for the specific appliance being sold.
Before you decide, check the full model reference, the description of the specific item, which accessories are included and who the seller is.
In France, the durability index helps you compare factors such as the reliability and repairability of eligible washing machines. It doesn’t tell you whether a model will fit in the space available or provide the capacity you need.
First compare models that suit your installation, then look at the score and its breakdown, as well as parts availability and after-sales service.
According to ecosystem, eligibility depends, among other things, on the appliance, whether the fault qualifies, and whether the appliance is covered by a warranty or insurance. The professional must be QualiRépar-certified.
Give the repairer your appliance’s model reference and details of its situation before the repair, then ask them to confirm whether it’s eligible.
Worth considering if access to original parts and a repair service matters for the specific appliance.
Worth considering if the stated availability of parts is one of your criteria when choosing a model.
Worth considering if you want to find maintenance information and repair options for an Electrolux appliance.
These models are options if you’re replacing a cordless vacuum cleaner. If your current vacuum can be repaired, first compare that option with how soon you need to use it again. For any replacement, check the sale condition, parts and service available for the model you choose.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing a cordless vacuum and would like an automatic emptying station. The product listing states a suction power of 220 AW and a motor power of 590 W. Check that the station will fit your space, as well as the sale condition and repair options for the model.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a cordless vacuum with automatic dust collection and an articulated tube. The product listing states up to 70 minutes of runtime and a 180° tilt. Check these features against the areas you need to clean, then look into the sale condition, parts and service available for the model.
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Worth considering for carpets and hard floors if an automatic dust collection station appeals to you. The product listing states 170 AW, up to 80 minutes of runtime and an anti-tangle brush. Check that it suits your home, along with the sale condition and access to parts and service.
No. According to ecosystem, the Repair Bonus doesn’t apply to an appliance that’s still covered by a legal, manufacturer or commercial warranty, or by insurance. The scheme covers eligible appliances owned by households and bought in France, provided the fault qualifies and the repair is carried out by a QualiRépar repairer. A fault covered by a warranty may need to be dealt with another way, so check your cover before arranging a repair.
According to the DGCCRF and the French Ministry of the Economy, a refurbished product is a second-hand item that has undergone full functionality tests and, if necessary, been repaired or restored before being offered for sale again. Ask for a description of the specific item, including its condition and the accessories included.
Yes. In France, the Ministry of the Economy states that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual. Any commercial warranty is separate, so read its terms and don’t confuse it with this legal protection.
Compare the score out of 10 and its breakdown across washing machines that already meet your capacity and installation requirements. According to the French Ministry for the Ecological Transition, the durability index applies to washing machines sold in France since 8 April 2025. It combines reliability and repairability, but doesn’t determine on its own whether a model is right for your household.