First, ask whether a professional can get your appliance working again, then compare the quote and waiting time with the total cost of a replacement that suits your home. If you decide to replace it, check the condition and seller when buying pre-owned, the tests carried out and terms of sale for a refurbished product, or the specifications and applicable ratings for a new appliance. ADEME presents repair and replacement as options to consider on a case-by-case basis.
If the appliance still meets your household’s needs, a professional quote, the waiting time for a repair and any eligibility for the Repair Bonus can help you compare getting it working again with replacing it. Check the scheme’s criteria with ecosystem.
When the household relies on the appliance every day, check the delivery time, dimensions, connections and essential functions before choosing another model.
When choosing between pre-owned and refurbished, consider the condition of the specific item, the tests stated, who the seller is and what guarantees apply. The French Ministry of the Economy and the DGCCRF explain what to check.
If you live in France and are dealing with a breakdown or wear and tear, start by comparing whether a repair is possible and how long it will take. Then look at the terms for replacing the appliance with a second-life or new one.
Consider this if: the appliance still suits your needs and a professional confirms that it can be repaired.
Weigh up: the quote, waiting time and availability of parts; the Repair Bonus is subject to eligibility criteria.
Consider this if: you can check the condition, dimensions, connections and functions of the specific item on offer.
Weigh up: the total cost, transport and uncertainty about wear and tear.
Consider this if: the seller explains the tests carried out, the condition and the work done on the model being sold.
Weigh up: refurbished goods are still pre-owned; that doesn’t mean they’re new or free from wear and tear.
Consider this if: a repair or a verifiable second-life appliance won’t meet your installation or capacity needs.
Weigh up: the purchase and installation costs, stated energy consumption and options for future repairs.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cost and feasibility of repair | Ask for a quote for the exact model. If the appliance is out of warranty, check with ecosystem whether the fault and repairer qualify for the Repair Bonus. | If the appliance still meets my needs, I want to know whether the quote and waiting time make it worthwhile to get it working again. Around 33% of consumers prioritise the cost of a feasible repair. |
| Keeping things running and compatibility | Measure the dimensions and note the connections and capacity you need. Also check the delivery and installation included with the offer you’re considering. | When my household relies on the appliance every day, I want a suitable model quickly that fits in place and does everything we need. Around 27% of consumers prioritise continuity of use and compatibility. |
| Condition and protection when buying second-life | Ask for the model number and condition of the specific item. For a refurbished product, check the tests described and find out whether the seller is a business or a private individual. | If I choose pre-owned or refurbished, I want to understand the product’s condition and the protections that apply based on who’s selling it. Around 20% of consumers put being able to verify a second-life purchase first. |
| Running costs and repairability of a replacement | Compare stated energy consumption and repair options; first check whether a rating applies to the category in question. | To keep my next appliance for longer, I look at its stated energy consumption and options for future repairs. Around 20% of consumers prioritise running costs and the repairability of a replacement. |
How much you pay depends on whether the appliance, fault and repair work are eligible. The bonus isn’t automatic for every repair.
Check the applicable terms with ecosystem before comparing the quote with the cost of a replacement.
A refurbished appliance is still pre-owned. The stated tests don’t mean it’s new or free from cosmetic marks.
Ask for a description of the specific item being sold, the tests carried out and the guarantees, then check who the seller is.
Transport costs or another spell without an appliance can affect how you use it if the condition and support arrangements aren’t clearly described.
Rowenta states a maximum power of 400 W for the RO6189EA, while a Joybuy listing titled ‘RO6189’ gives a figure of 700 W. These model numbers aren’t enough to confirm that they’re the same model.
Compare the full model number and key specifications before deciding that a listing is for a particular model.
An appliance that doesn’t fit the space or connections won’t restore the use you’re looking for.
Check the dimensions, capacity and set-up arrangements for the specific offer before comparing total costs.
Check delivery, installation and removal of your old appliance for each offer.
The specifications below relate to specific models or ranges and don’t apply to every product from a brand.
Checking the specifications of a specific washing machine can help you confirm the dimensions and capacity your installation requires.
The full model number is important when comparing a vacuum cleaner’s specifications and finding the right model.
Miele’s French range of W1 and W2 front-loading washing machines offers different capacities and features to compare with your household’s needs.
The products featured here are for replacing a domestic cordless vacuum cleaner. The specifications mentioned are those stated in the product titles.
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Worth considering for cleaning carpets and hard floors with a cordless vacuum cleaner.
The title states 170 AW of suction power, up to 80 minutes’ runtime and an automatic emptying station.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a vacuum cleaner designed for several household cleaning tasks.
The title lists 6-in-1 cleaning, an automatic collection and charging station, 27 000 Pa suction and up to 70 minutes’ runtime.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a cordless vacuum cleaner with an automatic emptying station.
The title states 220 AW of suction power and a maximum runtime of 100 minutes.
Not automatically. According to ecosystem, the appliance must, among other things, be out of warranty, the fault must be eligible and the work must be carried out by a QualiRépar professional. Check the current terms and rates before including the bonus in your comparison.
No. ADEME says that a durability rating has applied to washing machines since 8 April 2025; a repairability rating applies, among other things, to dishwashers and vacuum cleaners. Check which rating applies to the category and model you’re considering before comparing scores.
Check that the model number, dimensions and connections suit your home. Ask the seller what’s included in the transport and installation, and make sure the condition and functions described match the specific item being sold.
No. According to information from the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, pre-owned and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual, but not to sales between private individuals. For pre-owned goods, the period during which a fault is presumed to have existed at the time of sale is one year, compared with two years for new goods. This period for proving when the fault existed is separate from the two-year period for making a claim under the guarantee.
When you buy a new appliance in store or online, retailers must offer to take back the old appliance on a ‘one-for-one’ basis, says the ministry responsible for the ecological transition. If it’s still usable, ADEME also mentions donating or reselling it; an appliance that has reached the end of its useful life can be taken to an appropriate collection scheme.