In France, check the durability index for a new front-loading or top-loading washing machine, and the repairability index for a new dishwasher or vacuum cleaner. Compare the score and its breakdown for the exact model, then check that the dimensions, features and spare parts information also meet your needs.
In France, the durability index has been the key rating to check for these washing machines since 2025, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Compare models that suit your space and the capacity you need, then look at the breakdown of their scores.
The Ministry of the Economy says that dishwashers are among the products covered by the repairability index. Check the score for the model being sold, then make sure its size, place settings and spare parts information suit your needs.
For a vacuum cleaner, the repairability index is one factor to consider alongside the type of model. Stick, cylinder and robot vacuum cleaners suit different needs: start with your flooring and the area to clean, and, for a cordless model, consider how much battery life you need.
Start with the factors that could rule out an appliance, such as its size or type. Then compare ratings for models suited to the same purpose.
| Factor | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Model rating | For a new front-loading or top-loading washing machine in France, look for the durability index and its scoring breakdown. For a new dishwasher or vacuum cleaner, check the repairability index for the exact model. These categories are specified by the Ministry of the Economy. | I want to compare appliances of the same type without applying one model’s score to a different version. |
| Spare parts | Check the spare parts criteria in the index breakdown. Also check which parts are covered, how long they will be available for and how to order them for the model you’re considering. | If a part needs replacing, I want to know which parts are available for this appliance. |
| Washing machine | Compare capacity, dimensions, noise, water and energy consumption, and spin performance, making sure you’re comparing models with similar installation types. | The machine needs to fit in the space available and suit the amount of laundry in my household. |
| Dishwasher | Check the dimensions and installation type, place settings, consumption per cycle, noise and programmes. UFC-Que Choisir highlights capacity and consumption as key factors to consider. | I need an appliance that fits in my kitchen and suits the amount of washing-up I usually have. |
| Vacuum cleaner | Compare the type of model, how well it cleans the floors in your home, noise and maintenance. For a cordless model, also check battery life under the conditions that matter to you; UFC-Que Choisir measures suction and battery life separately in its tests of stick vacuum cleaners. | Depending on the size of my home and my flooring, ease of handling may matter more, or I may need to clean for a long time without stopping. |
Two appliances from the same brand can have different features and ratings. A score you’ve seen for another version won’t necessarily apply to the model being offered to you.
Note down the full model number before checking the index, and make sure the scoring breakdown is for that exact model.
According to the Ministry of the Economy, these indices provide information on repairability or durability criteria; they don’t predict whether a particular appliance will break down or how much a repair will cost.
Open the scoring breakdown and check the spare parts information before choosing between appliances that meet your needs.
A good score doesn’t mean a dishwasher will fit in the space available, or that a vacuum cleaner will suit every floor type. These practical considerations could rule out a model before you even compare the indices.
Measure the space and work out what you need in terms of capacity, noise, consumption or battery life, depending on the appliance you’re looking for.
This selection features a cordless stick vacuum cleaner. To compare it with other vacuum cleaners, check the index for this exact model and the features you need.
Image unavailable
This cordless model is worth considering as part of a comparison of stick vacuum cleaners, depending on your needs. The product description gives the R12 FLEX a repairability index score of 8; check the scoring breakdown and spare parts information for this model before using the score to help you choose.
Look for the durability index for a domestic front-loading or top-loading washing machine, and the repairability index for a dishwasher or vacuum cleaner. The Ministry of the Economy says that front-loading and top-loading washing machines have been covered by the durability index since 2025. In every case, check the score for the model being sold.
On the product page for the model you’re looking at, find the breakdown linked to the index. The Ministry of the Economy says this information must be available on the same page, near the price, so you can see what contributes to the score.
No. The repairability or durability index describes criteria defined for a model; it can’t predict what will happen to an individual appliance. Check the scoring criteria, then separately check the spare parts and features that matter to you.
Look for information specific to the exact model: which parts are covered, how long they’re expected to be available and how to order them. The DGCCRF sets out different requirements depending on the appliance and parts, so a stated availability period for one category shouldn’t be assumed to apply to every part for that model.
Because it doesn’t tell you on its own how well the vacuum will clean your floors, how easy it is to handle or how much battery life you’ll need. First compare the types of vacuum suited to your home and how often you clean, then check the repairability index for models that meet those needs.