Which households is this for?

Households without an essential everyday appliance

If you can’t wash clothes, keep food cold or cook, check the actual timescale for a visit or delivery, as well as the installation options, before choosing a solution.

Households looking to keep upfront costs down

A repair quote and, if you’re eligible, the Repair Bonus can help you compare a repair with buying a refurbished appliance. For the latter, check the condition of the individual appliance and the applicable warranties.

Households keen to choose an appliance that can be repaired

If you need a replacement, compare the applicable index and the parts information for the model you’re considering, while also checking its dimensions and installation requirements.

What should you compare?

Professional repair

Consider this: if the diagnosis suggests the appliance can be up and running again in a timeframe that suits your needs.

Bear in mind: the timescale depends on factors including the appointment and parts availability. The Repair Bonus is subject to the appliance, fault and repairer all being eligible.

Refurbished appliance

Consider this: if you need to replace the appliance and a professional seller provides a detailed description of the one on offer.

Bear in mind: the condition and services included depend on the individual appliance. Refurbished doesn’t mean new.

New appliance

Consider this: if repair isn’t viable and the replacement needs to meet specific capacity or installation requirements.

Bear in mind: a durability or repairability index doesn’t guarantee a quick repair in future or mean the appliance will suit your home.

Reuse or delay replacing

Consider this: if a safe temporary solution can cover your needs while you get a diagnosis or look for a second-hand appliance.

Bear in mind: waiting isn’t suitable if the appliance is essential to your daily routine or the broken appliance poses a risk.

Your concern What to check Who this matters to
Get things working again quickly Confirm the earliest appointment or delivery date, then check when the appliance is expected to be working again or installed. If I can’t wash clothes, keep food cold or cook, I want to know when the appliance will be working again; around 33% of consumers prioritise keeping things running as usual.
Keep upfront costs down Compare the full repair quote with the Repair Bonus conditions and the services included in a replacement offer. If I need to spend money straight away, I want to compare options that include the services I need. For around 25% of consumers, keeping immediate costs down comes before other considerations.
Make future repairs easier For a new appliance, check the applicable index and the parts information for the exact model. When replacing an appliance, I want to be able to check how repairable it is before committing; around 25% of consumers put lifespan and repairability first.
Avoid replacing an appliance too soon Look into repair or reuse options. For a refurbished appliance, check its condition and the terms of sale. If I can wait without risk or major disruption, I’d rather explore giving the appliance a second life. Avoiding premature replacement is a priority for around 17% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Replacing an appliance before checking the warranty

    An appliance still covered by a warranty follows a different process from one that’s out of warranty and may be eligible for the Repair Bonus.

    Find the receipt and appliance details, describe the fault, then check which warranties apply before asking for a diagnosis or quote.

  • Assuming refurbished means as good as new

    Testing and restoration apply to the individual appliance being sold, and its condition should be clearly described. In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies when you buy a refurbished item from a professional seller. However, according to the Ministry of the Economy, the rules on presuming that a fault was present at the time of sale differ from those for a new item.

    Keep a copy of the listing and receipt, and ask for details of the individual appliance, as well as the warranty and after-sales service terms.

  • Taking an index as a promise of an easy repair

    An index and information about parts availability don’t, on their own, tell you how long a future repair will take or what it will involve.

    Compare models in the same category, then ask about the relevant parts and after-sales service for the model you choose.

  • Forgetting the services you’ll need with a replacement

    For a large appliance, delivery, installation and removal of your old appliance can affect which option is most convenient and when you’ll be able to use it.

    Check what’s included in each offer and confirm which services are available at your address before committing.

Networks and services to know about

QualiRépar / ecosystem

A network of accredited professionals to consider for a repair that may qualify for the Repair Bonus.

  • According to ecosystem, if you’re eligible, the applicable bonus is deducted directly from the bill when you use a QualiRépar repairer.
  • Eligibility depends on factors including the appliance, its warranty and the fault. The accreditation doesn’t set the repair timescale.

Envie

A network offering refurbished household appliances to consider as a replacement option.

  • Envie says its appliances are repaired, cleaned and tested before sale, and come with a stated warranty of at least one year.
  • Check the warranty terms for the individual appliance with the shop, along with delivery and installation options. The stated warranty doesn’t replace your applicable legal rights.

Murfy

A home repair service to consider when a bulky appliance needs diagnosing on site.

  • Murfy says it is QualiRépar-accredited and offers a six-month guarantee for the same fault.
  • Check that your area is covered, what appointment slots are available and the terms of the repair for your appliance.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can you get the Repair Bonus?

The Repair Bonus may apply to an eligible fault affecting an out-of-warranty household appliance when it’s taken to a QualiRépar repairer, subject to the conditions published by ecosystem. Also check that the appliance can be identified and that the fault isn’t excluded, such as cosmetic damage or a problem caused by something outside the appliance.

Does a refurbished appliance come with a legal guarantee in France?

Yes. According to the Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies when a consumer buys a refurbished appliance from a professional seller. You have two years from delivery to make a claim. For a second-hand item, the presumption that the fault was already present at that point lasts for one year, compared with two years for a new item.

What should you check before buying a refurbished appliance?

Make sure the description is for the individual appliance being sold, rather than the original new model. Check its condition, which functions have been tested, any restoration work and the terms for the warranty, delivery and installation.

Which index should you check when choosing a new washing machine?

In France, check the durability index out of 10 that has applied to washing machines since 8 April 2025, according to the ministry responsible for the environment. Compare appliances in the same category, then separately check the capacity, dimensions and connections you’ll need at home.

Does parts availability guarantee that an appliance can be repaired?

No. Information about parts alone doesn’t guarantee that a repair will be suitable for the fault or can be carried out quickly. The DGCCRF says availability requirements vary depending on the appliance category and the part. Ask for the part number you need and the repair terms for the exact model.