An old or faulty appliance doesn’t necessarily need replacing. First, check which warranties apply, then find out whether it can be assessed and repaired. If you do need a replacement, choose a capacity that suits your needs and compare running costs. For a washing machine or television, also check its durability rating. Second-hand or refurbished appliances may be a good option if the condition of the item and the seller’s protections meet your needs.
Your appliance is worn out or faulty, but you haven’t decided whether to replace it. A diagnosis, any applicable warranties, and access to a repairer or replacement part could affect your decision. The Repair Bonus scheme described by ecosystem may also be an option if you meet its conditions.
You’re looking for an appliance that suits your needs and want to compare its durability and energy use. The French government departments responsible for the environment provide durability ratings for washing machines and televisions. ADEME also recommends checking the energy label to compare how appliances perform in use.
You want to know the condition of the item on offer and who is selling it. The DGCCRF distinguishes refurbished goods from simple second-hand sales; whether the seller is a business or a private individual also affects the protections that apply.
After a breakdown or wear and tear, the first question is whether the appliance can still be used after a repair. If you need a replacement, compare appliances that meet the same needs before looking at their ratings and terms of sale.
Consider this if: a professional can diagnose the appliance and the repair is still feasible.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to check whether a part is available and whether the repair qualifies for the Repair Bonus in your particular case. ecosystem only offers the bonus for work that meets the scheme’s conditions.
Consider this if: a repair isn’t suitable and you can choose an appliance with a capacity that matches your needs.
Bear in mind: where a durability rating is available, it doesn’t replace comparing energy use and the features you need at home.
Consider this if: the information provided about the item allows you to judge its condition and whether it suits your needs.
Bear in mind: according to the DGCCRF, a private sale does not offer the same legal guarantee of conformity as buying from a business.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Whether it can be repaired | Check the warranties, then ask for a diagnosis and find out whether a part or repairer is available. For the Repair Bonus, check the conditions with a QualiRépar professional, as advised by ecosystem. | When my appliance breaks down, I want to know if it can keep doing its job before choosing another one; around 36% of consumers would make repairs their priority. |
| Durability of a new appliance | For a washing machine or television, check the durability rating out of 10 and the details on repairability and reliability. The government departments responsible for the environment specify that this rating applies to these two categories. | If I need to buy new, I’d rather compare the durability of different models than rely on their descriptions alone; around 29% of consumers would put this first. |
| Running costs and capacity | Compare capacities that suit your needs and the energy-label figures on a like-for-like basis, including the stated consumption for reference cycles. ADEME points out that an appliance’s features affect how it is used day to day. | I want an appliance that’s big enough for my needs, without overlooking how much electricity and water it will use; this would be the priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Condition and seller | For a second-hand or refurbished appliance, ask about the condition and specifications of the item, then check whether the seller is a business. The DGCCRF distinguishes these types of goods and the protections that apply to their sale. | Before choosing an appliance that’s already been used, I need to understand what has been checked and who I’m buying it from; around 14% of consumers would prioritise this. |
In France, this rating applies to washing machines and televisions, according to the government departments responsible for the environment. So, if another type of appliance doesn’t have a rating, that alone doesn’t tell you how durable it is.
Use the rating that applies to the category: the repairability index is still relevant for dishwashers and vacuum cleaners, for example. Also consider the appliance’s features in use and information about spare parts.
A breakdown alone doesn’t tell you whether an appliance can be repaired. Warranties, a diagnosis and access to a part or a professional could all affect your decision.
Keep your purchase and warranty documents, then ask for a diagnosis if possible. If you’re considering the Repair Bonus, check the conditions set out by ecosystem with a QualiRépar repairer.
The DGCCRF says that a refurbished item is a second-hand good whose functions have been tested. For the legal guarantee of conformity, buying from a business is not the same as buying from a private individual.
Ask what has been tested or repaired on the item, check its specifications and find out who the seller is before making a decision.
Energy-label figures are based on reference conditions; on their own, they don’t reflect how you’ll use an appliance. ADEME also points out that an appliance’s size and features can affect its energy consumption.
First decide on the capacity and features you need, then compare energy-label figures for similar appliances.
These washing machines are new-appliance replacement options. Compare their capacity and features against your needs, then check the model’s durability rating and spare-parts information before choosing.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you need a 10 kg capacity for your laundry loads.
The product description mentions TimeSave and an Inverter motor. Check that the capacity suits your needs, then look up the model’s durability rating and spare-parts information.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if a 9 kg capacity suits the amount of laundry you wash.
The product description lists a spin speed of 1,600 rpm, along with SteamCare, SmartSelect and connected features. Check the programmes available on the version on offer and look up its durability rating before comparing models.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if an 8 kg capacity meets your needs.
The product description lists a spin speed of 1,400 rpm and SensiCare and Steam Hygiene features, but their names alone don’t establish any health benefit. Also check the durability rating and the terms of the offer’s warranty.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re looking for a 10 kg capacity and a range of wash programmes.
The product description lists 16 programmes, steam and a spin speed of 1,400 rpm. To compare running costs and durability, check the energy label figures, the durability rating and the model’s spare-parts information.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if an 8 kg capacity suits your needs and the space available.
The product description lists 16 programmes, steam and a spin speed of 1,400 rpm. Check the installation dimensions, then compare the energy label figures and the model’s durability rating.
No. A breakdown alone isn’t enough to tell you whether an appliance needs replacing. Check which warranties apply and, if possible, ask for a diagnosis. Whether a part and a repairer are available will help you decide if a repair is an option.
According to the government departments responsible for the environment, durability ratings have applied to televisions since January 2025 and washing machines since April 2025. For other covered categories, including dishwashers and vacuum cleaners, check the relevant repairability index instead.
No. ecosystem reserves it, in particular, for household appliances that are no longer covered by a legal or commercial warranty, and for eligible breakdowns and repairs carried out by a QualiRépar professional. Exclusions to check include purely cosmetic damage and faults caused by an external factor.
According to the DGCCRF, a refurbished appliance is a second-hand item whose functions have been tested. Even so, check the condition and specifications of the item being sold. In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual, but not to private sales.
First compare appliances with similar capacities and uses, then check their energy-label figures. Depending on the category, ADEME says energy use may be shown for reference cycles or over a year, so check the unit before comparing figures.