After a breakdown, first check whether the appliance can be repaired in a way that suits its condition and how you use it. If you decide to replace it, compare new and refurbished appliances by checking they will fit your home, looking at their energy use and repairability information, and finding out what checks have been carried out on each refurbished appliance.
You need to be able to do the washing, wash the dishes or use your cooking appliances again. If you replace the appliance, its installation, connections and capacity also need to suit your home and household.
You’d like to understand the appliance’s condition and whether it can be repaired before ordering a replacement. ADEME recommends considering repair before replacing a large household appliance.
You’re considering a refurbished appliance if its model and condition are clear, and you know what checks have been carried out. The French Ministry of the Economy distinguishes a refurbished appliance from a simple second-hand one by the tests carried out on its functions and, where necessary, the work done to restore it.
It’s worth looking into repair before buying another appliance. If you decide against it, choosing between new and refurbished depends on the specific model and your installation requirements.
Consider this: when a diagnosis confirms that a repair could get the appliance working again.
Bear in mind: eligibility for the Repair Bonus depends, among other things, on whether the appliance is still under warranty, the fault and whether you use an approved repairer, according to the French Ministry of the Economy.
Consider this: if you decide to replace it and find a model whose installation, capacity and connections suit your home.
Compare: the energy rating alone doesn’t tell you everything about energy use or whether the capacity suits your needs, as ADEME points out.
Consider this: if the seller identifies the appliance and can explain what tests have been carried out and what work was needed to restore it.
Check: the condition, accessories and compatibility of each appliance. The word ‘refurbished’ doesn’t answer these questions on its own.
| What matters | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping things running and ensuring compatibility | Check the dimensions, installation type and connections; choose a capacity that suits your household’s needs. | When I can’t do the washing, wash the dishes or cook as usual, I want to get that function back without choosing an appliance I can’t install. Around 27% of consumers put having their appliance working again and ensuring it fits their home first. |
| Whether it can be repaired | Ask for a diagnosis and check the conditions for a repair, including the Repair Bonus requirements if the appliance is out of warranty. | If a repair could get the appliance working again, I’d rather explore that option before replacing it. Around 27% of consumers would make repair their priority. |
| Energy use and future repairability | If you’re replacing the appliance, compare the figures on the energy label and the index that applies to that appliance category. | If I have to replace the appliance, I want to assess how it will perform day to day and whether it can be repaired in future. Around 20% of consumers put these factors first. |
| Verifiable refurbishment | Check the model, seller, tests and restoration work carried out, as well as which accessories are included. | I might choose a refurbished appliance if I know exactly what has been checked and what I’ll receive. Around 26% of consumers would put this need first. |
The French Ministry of the Economy explains that the scheme covers eligible repairs to appliances that are no longer under warranty, carried out by an approved repairer. Damage caused by poor maintenance or improper use may be excluded.
Ask for details of the fault and check whether the repair is eligible before deciding between repair and replacement.
In France, the French Ministry of the Economy says a refurbished product has undergone full functional testing and, if necessary, repair or restoration. Its appearance alone doesn’t tell you whether it has gone through this process.
Ask for the exact model reference, details of the checks carried out, any parts replaced and a list of the included accessories.
For dishwashers, ADEME also recommends checking energy use per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, capacity and noise levels. Compare these figures with those of appliances in the same category.
Consider the figures alongside how often you’ll use the appliance and the capacity you need.
According to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, the ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme applies when you buy a product of the same type. If you have a heavy or built-in appliance, collection arrangements and access to your home also need to be factored into the replacement plan.
Before finalising your order, confirm with the seller how the old appliance will be collected and what removal arrangements apply.
Worth considering if access to spare parts is part of your decision about a laundry or kitchen appliance.
A brand to look into if you want to identify components for a particular dishwasher or cooking appliance.
Worth considering model by model for laundry and cooking appliances whose parts can be searched for by technical reference.
These dishwashers, washing machines and cooker hoods are options to consider if you decide to replace your appliance. Start by choosing the category that matches the broken appliance, then check the dimensions, installation type and connections for the model you’re considering.
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Worth considering as a replacement for an integrated dishwasher, provided you check the cabinet space and connections.
Capacity stated in the product name: 14 place settings; stated energy rating: A.
Before choosing this model, check its repairability index and the availability of spare parts.
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Worth considering as a replacement for a wall-mounted cooker hood if its width and installation suit your kitchen.
The product name mentions LED lighting and two air circulation modes.
If you plan to use it in recirculation mode, check which filters are needed and whether they’re included. Also check spare-part availability for this model.
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Worth considering if you want to replace your washing machine with a top-loading model. Check there’s enough room to open the lid.
Stated capacity: 7 kg; stated spin speed: 1 200 tr/min; stated energy rating: A.
Check the durability index that applies to this model before comparing future repair options.
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Worth considering if a 10 kg capacity suits your needs and you have space for a front-loading machine.
The product name mentions an Inverter motor and a steam function. Consider whether these features suit the programmes you plan to use.
Check the dimensions and durability index for this model before making your decision.
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Worth considering as a replacement for an integrated dishwasher, provided the cabinet space and connections are compatible.
Capacity stated in the product name: 14 place settings; stated energy rating: E.
When comparing it with other dishwashers, also check energy use per 100 cycles, water use per cycle and the model’s repairability index.
In France, it may apply to an eligible repair carried out by an approved repairer on an appliance that is no longer under warranty. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that some faults may be excluded, particularly those caused by poor maintenance or improper use, so ask the repairer to confirm whether the work is eligible.
No. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, a refurbished product is a second-hand product whose functions have been fully tested and which has been repaired or restored if necessary. Before buying, ask for the exact model reference and details of what has been checked or replaced.
Yes. In France, it applies to refurbished products sold by a business to an individual, as explained by the French Ministry of the Economy. The same rules don’t apply to a sale between individuals, so check whether the seller is a business before choosing an appliance.
When you replace a large household appliance, ADEME says you can hand the old one to the seller or delivery driver, or take it to a dedicated collection point. The ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme applies when you buy a product of the same type. Check collection arrangements with the retailer, including any access restrictions at your home.
For a washing machine, check the durability index and energy label. For a dishwasher, look at the repairability index and the figures on its energy label. According to ADEME, a dishwasher’s energy label includes energy use per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, capacity and noise levels. Compare appliances in the same category and take your own needs into account.