For an appliance you rely on every day, choose a professional seller or reuse organisation that describes its condition and the checks carried out. Buying from a private seller calls for more checks before you commit; if you only need an appliance occasionally, compare borrowing or renting with buying. In every case, make sure it suits your home and that the delivery arrangements and your options if something goes wrong are clear.
If you’re missing several appliances when you move in, work out which ones you’ll need every day and which purchases can wait. For essential appliances, compare the stated condition, delivery arrangements and options offered by the seller if something goes wrong.
An offer also needs to suit access to your home, the space available and your transport options. Reuse organisations and refurbished-appliance sellers make it easier to compare these arrangements with those of a private sale.
If you’ll only use an appliance occasionally or for a short time, borrowing or renting is worth considering. This is less likely to be the right choice for an appliance you rely on every day.
When equipping a home, start with how often you’ll use each appliance and any installation requirements. Then consider where you’ll buy it: this determines what information to ask for and, in France, which consumer protections apply to the sale.
Consider this: for an appliance you can inspect and try before buying.
Bear in mind: the legal guarantee of conformity does not apply to this type of sale, according to the French Ministry of the Economy.
Consider this: if you’re looking for a refurbished appliance and want to discuss delivery and after-sales support with a local organisation.
Bear in mind: availability varies from shop to shop, so check the terms for the appliance you choose.
Consider this: if you want a previously used appliance that has been tested before sale and is sold by a professional.
Bear in mind: testing doesn’t replace checking the listed cosmetic flaws and the accessories included.
Consider this: if none of the second-life options you’ve looked at meets your requirements for size, features or installation.
Bear in mind: compare the features of the model you’re considering rather than assuming that buying new automatically makes it right for your needs.
Consider this: for an appliance you’ll use rarely or only for a limited time.
Bear in mind: check availability, transport and the return arrangements before relying on it.
| What matters | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Condition and options if something goes wrong | Ask for a description of any faults and a demonstration that the appliance works. Check who the seller is and keep proof of purchase. | When I rely on an appliance every day, I want to know what condition it’s in and who to contact if there’s a fault. Around 33% of consumers put this first. |
| Transport and installation | Confirm access to your home, delivery, handling and whether an old appliance can be taken away. | For a large appliance, I need to know I can get it into my home and put it in place without discovering a delivery issue too late. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Suitability for your home and needs | Check the dimensions, connections and capacity. If you’ll use it regularly, look at the available energy consumption information for the model. | An appliance may work perfectly well but still not suit my kitchen or daily needs. Around 27% of consumers put this suitability first. |
| Temporary need | Consider how often you’ll use it, local borrowing or rental options, and the return arrangements. | If I only need the appliance occasionally, I’d rather check whether I can use one without having to keep it afterwards. This is the top priority for around 13% of consumers. |
A second-hand appliance has already been owned or used. To be described as refurbished, it must have undergone functional tests before being put back on sale, as the DGCCRF points out.
Ask what checks and repairs have been carried out, then read the description of the condition of the actual appliance on offer.
A washing machine or fridge that looks suitable on paper might not fit through the access points to your home or in the space you’ve set aside for it.
Measure the access routes and the space, then confirm delivery and installation arrangements and, if needed, how an old appliance can be taken away.
Depending on the offer, you may need to make separate arrangements for handling or disposal of your old appliance.
According to the French Ministry for the Ecological Transition, displaying the repairability index is not compulsory for second-hand, reused, refurbished or rented appliances. So, if it’s missing from a listing, that alone doesn’t tell you what condition the appliance is in.
Look for information on the exact model and ask the seller about maintenance, parts and repair options.
Borrowing or renting may work well for occasional use. If you need an appliance throughout your stay, its ongoing availability and the terms of the agreement matter more.
Work out how long you expect to use it and check the return arrangements, then compare this option with buying an appliance suited to your needs.
A reuse network offering refurbished small and large appliances in its shops.
A specialist seller of refurbished appliances across several large-appliance categories, including washing machines and fridges.
A search tool for finding places that offer second-hand goods, repairs, borrowing or rentals.
Yes. In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private buyer, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. Keep the listing, proof of purchase and any documents describing the appliance’s condition, so you can report any lack of conformity to the seller.
No. The legal guarantee of conformity does not apply to sales between private individuals, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. That doesn’t mean you have no options if something goes wrong: before buying, ask for a demonstration, note any known faults and keep a written record of the transaction.
Check what tests have been carried out, whether any repairs have been made and the condition of the actual unit being sold. The DGCCRF says that a refurbished product must undergo functional tests before being put on sale. Also ask exactly which accessories are included with the appliance.
You can look up information for the exact model, but don’t assume that the index will appear in the listing: according to the French Ministry for the Ecological Transition, displaying it isn’t compulsory for a second-hand or refurbished appliance. Also check the condition and maintenance history of the appliance on offer, along with the repair options.
Borrowing or renting is most worth considering for an occasional need or an appliance you’ll rarely use. ADEME lists places offering loans and rentals, as well as opportunities to borrow from neighbours. Check that the appliance is available and confirm the return arrangements before planning to use it.