If your appliance still meets your household’s needs, first ask a professional to identify the fault and provide a repair quote. Then compare the quote, after deducting any Repair Bonus, with the cost of a replacement that does the same job. If the appliance can’t be repaired or your needs have changed, compare new and refurbished models based on their capacity, installation requirements, and the relevant energy consumption and repairability information. There’s no single cut-off point to help you decide without knowing the appliance and what’s wrong with it.
Start by checking what’s wrong with the appliance; you can choose a replacement model afterwards.
A washing machine, dishwasher or fridge that’s out of action can disrupt daily life. Ask a professional to establish whether the problem is with the appliance or its installation, then compare a detailed quote with a replacement that has suitable capacity and dimensions.
For a vacuum cleaner, microwave or coffee machine, ask a repairer whether it can be fixed before you buy a replacement. If you’re considering the Repair Bonus, check with a QualiRépar repairer that the appliance category and fault are eligible: eligibility isn’t automatic.
Once you’ve established that replacement is the right option, match the capacity and dimensions to your actual needs. Also check maintenance requirements, information about spare parts, the energy label where applicable, and the relevant index for that product category.
First find out whether the appliance can be repaired. Then compare options that will do the same job in your home.
Consider this if: the appliance still suits your household and a professional can provide a quote for the fault.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to confirm that the appliance and fault can be repaired and qualify for the Repair Bonus.
Consider this if: the appliance can’t be repaired or no longer meets your household’s needs.
Check: a repairability or durability index won’t tell you, on its own, how much energy an appliance uses or whether it will fit your installation.
Consider this if: the appliance meets your requirements for dimensions, capacity and connections.
Check: according to the DGCCRF, refurbished products must undergo functional tests before being put up for sale. Also check the description of the specific item on offer.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Type of fault | Ask the professional to identify the cause of the fault and whether it can be fixed. Establish whether the problem lies with the appliance or is related to its installation or use. | I want to know whether my appliance can be put back into service before choosing another one. |
| Repair quote | Ask for a breakdown of the fault, parts and labour. If the Repair Bonus applies, compare the amount left to pay after it’s deducted with an equivalent replacement option. | A clear quote helps me assess the repair against an appliance that meets the same needs. |
| Repair Bonus | Check the product category, fault and other conditions with a QualiRépar repairer. According to ecosystem, the scheme covers household appliances bought in France that are no longer under warranty, provided the fault is eligible. | If my appliance meets the conditions, I want to factor the discount into the quote before deciding. |
| Use and installation | Compare the capacity, dimensions and connections with your current appliance. For a refurbished appliance, check that the listing describes the specific item being sold. | The new appliance must fit in its allotted space and meet my household’s actual needs, whether it’s new or refurbished. |
| Energy use and repairability | Check the energy label where applicable. According to the French government departments responsible for ecology, the durability index has applied to washing machines since April 2025. The repairability index still applies to products including dishwashers and vacuum cleaners. | If I replace my appliance, I want to compare its energy use and information about future repairs without confusing these two criteria. |
A replacement model may have a different capacity, size or set of connections. In that case, the comparison won’t tell you whether repairing your current appliance is a better way to meet your household’s needs.
Ask for a detailed quote and, after deducting any applicable discount, compare it with an appliance whose features and installation requirements really suit you.
According to ecosystem, purely cosmetic damage and faults caused by the operating environment or improper use aren’t covered by the scheme. So an appliance being out of warranty isn’t enough to make it eligible.
Describe the fault and identify the appliance precisely with a QualiRépar repairer before including the bonus in your comparison.
The energy label doesn’t tell you how easy an appliance will be to repair in future. Likewise, a repairability or durability index won’t confirm whether the appliance has the right dimensions or capacity for your household.
Check the label and index that apply to the product category, then consider them alongside the installation requirements and how you plan to use the appliance.
The DGCCRF states that refurbished products must undergo tests to ensure they work properly before sale. The label ‘second-hand’ on its own doesn’t tell you this.
Read the description of the item on offer and check its stated condition, features and compatibility with your installation.
Consider these refrigeration appliances if you’ve already decided to replace a fridge or fridge-freezer. Their features alone can’t help you decide whether your broken appliance should be repaired.
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If you’re replacing a refrigeration appliance, compare its 262 L capacity and 70/30 split with what you need. This black model is 54 cm wide and 176 cm tall, with a Low Frost freezer.
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Compare its 467 L capacity with the size of your current appliance and the space available in your kitchen. This stainless steel-effect model features Total No Frost technology and has an E energy rating.
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If you’re looking for a mid-sized option, compare its 252 L fridge and 103 L freezer capacities with your needs. It’s listed as 60 cm wide and features a reversible door, an inverter compressor and an E energy rating. Check the other dimensions before ordering.
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Its 444 L capacity may suit you if you need plenty of storage, provided the appliance will fit in your home. This light silver model is listed as frost-free, with a noise level of 40 dB and an E energy rating. Check its dimensions to make sure it will fit in your space.
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Compare its 474 L capacity and four-door layout with the way you store food, then check how much space you’ll need. This silver model has a Vario Box compartment and a three-temperature salad drawer. It has an E energy rating.
Yes, if the appliance still meets your needs and a repair seems possible. Ask for a breakdown of the fault, parts and labour, then compare the quote, after deducting any applicable discount, with a replacement of a similar type, capacity and size.
No. It depends on the appliance category and the fault. Ecosystem says, among other things, that a household appliance bought in France must no longer be under warranty and must have an eligible fault. Ask a QualiRépar repairer to check your case before any work is carried out.
No. Under the conditions published by ecosystem, faults related to the operating environment aren’t covered by the scheme. Ask a professional to identify the cause of the problem: an internal fault with the appliance and an external issue may call for different decisions.
Check the description and stated condition of the specific item being sold, as well as its capacity, dimensions and connections. The DGCCRF says refurbished products must undergo functional tests before sale. Don’t assume the condition of an individual item based solely on the features of the new model.
For the relevant models in France, check the washing machine’s durability index and the dishwasher’s repairability index. The French government departments responsible for ecology state that the durability index replaced the repairability index for washing machines in April 2025. Check the energy label separately where applicable, along with the capacity and installation requirements.