After a breakdown, don’t choose an appliance based on its rating alone. Compare the index that applies to its category, then check the parts, repair options and warranties for the specific model. In France, the ministries responsible for ecology state that the durability index replaced the repairability index for washing machines in April 2025; dishwashers and vacuum cleaners are still covered by the repairability index. Neither index guarantees that an appliance won’t break down.
Whether you’re choosing a new front-loading or top-loading model, you want to consider repairability alongside the reliability and maintenance criteria covered by the durability index, without treating its rating as a guarantee that the machine will keep working.
You want to compare models in the same category using their repairability index, then find the documentation and parts for the exact model number.
You want to know the appliance’s condition, identify its model and check whether parts are available, as well as which warranties apply depending on the seller’s status.
Start by identifying the product category and model number. The index can then help you compare like-for-like models, but it doesn’t replace checking the parts or the repair and warranty terms.
| Criteria | What to check | What consumers are looking for |
|---|---|---|
| The right index for the appliance | Check the model’s category and the details behind its rating. In France, the durability index has applied to front-loading and top-loading washing machines since April 2025, according to the ministries responsible for ecology. The DGCCRF lists dishwashers and vacuum cleaners among the categories covered by the repairability index. | When replacing an appliance, I want to check the relevant index rather than compare ratings based on different criteria; around 34% of consumers make this a priority. |
| Parts and repairs | Note the full model number, then look for the documentation, relevant parts and repair arrangements for that specific model. A statement covering an entire product range isn’t enough to confirm whether a particular part is available. | If my appliance breaks down again, I want to be able to find the part I need and know how to get it repaired; practical access to repairs comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Warranties and support | Distinguish between the statutory guarantee of conformity, which applies under the relevant conditions when buying from a professional seller, and any commercial warranty. Also check the stated terms for repair work. | I want to know who to contact if the appliance develops a fault and what each warranty covers; for around 20% of consumers, this protection and the repair process come first. |
| Condition of a second-hand appliance | Ask for the model number, a description of its condition and any refurbishment work carried out, as well as the seller’s status. For an older model, check the available parts information directly. | When choosing a second-hand or refurbished appliance, I want to know its actual condition and who to contact if something goes wrong; around 13% of consumers prioritise reuse backed by clear information. |
The washing machine durability index includes criteria that aren’t the same as those in the repairability index for a dishwasher or vacuum cleaner. So a similar rating doesn’t mean the appliances have the same features.
First compare models in the same category that use the same index, then look at the criteria behind each rating.
Depending on the appliance and the fault you’re concerned about, documentation, ease of dismantling and parts availability may all affect your decision in different ways.
Keep the full model number to hand and check the breakdown of the index, along with the relevant repair information.
A manufacturer’s commitment to supplying parts doesn’t define your rights if the appliance develops a fault. The statutory guarantee of conformity and any commercial warranty have different terms.
Check the parts available for the model, repair arrangements and any warranties offered or applicable separately.
A breakdown or signs of wear don’t, by themselves, tell you whether the appliance can be put back into working order. The maintenance instructions also matter when using your new appliance.
Ask what’s causing the fault before deciding to replace the appliance, then check the maintenance instructions for the model you choose.
These examples can help you find information about a specific appliance. They don’t imply that every model from a brand has the same features.
For a dishwasher, searching for parts by E-Nr. can help you assess its repairability index.
For some dishwashers, repairability index data can help you assess the rating of a specific model.
For a vacuum cleaner, consider the brand’s commitment to supplying parts alongside the index and model number.
For a new front-loading or top-loading washing machine, check the durability index. According to the ministries responsible for ecology, it has replaced the repairability index for these washing machines since 8 April 2025. Look at the criteria in detail and check separately that the model suits your home and how you plan to use it.
Yes. In France, the DGCCRF lists dishwashers and vacuum cleaners among the categories covered by the index. When choosing a replacement, compare models in the same category and look up the index details for their model numbers.
No. An index describes repairability criteria and, for the washing machines concerned, durability criteria; it doesn’t guarantee that a specific model will remain fault-free. Also check the warranty terms, parts information and maintenance instructions.
Check the exact model number, the stated condition, any refurbishment work carried out and the seller’s status. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to second-hand or refurbished goods bought from a professional seller, subject to the legal conditions, but not to private sales. Also ask what commercial warranties, if any, are offered.