After a breakdown, first look into whether a repair is possible and how much it would cost, checking your guarantees. The Repair Bonus only applies to eligible appliances and faults repaired by a certified repairer, according to the ecosystem scale in force since 1 January 2026. If you need to replace the appliance, compare the condition and total cost of a refurbished model with those of a suitable new one, then check the indicators for its category. These cover different aspects and cannot predict an individual product’s lifespan.
You want to know whether keeping the appliance is still an option before paying to replace it. First check your guarantees, the repairer, whether the repair is eligible and the final cost. ADEME and ecosystem explain the steps and conditions to consider.
You want to compare the actual condition, total cost and support offered by the seller before choosing between refurbished and new. The DGCCRF sets out what to check when buying a refurbished product, while the Ministry of the Economy explains the statutory guarantee of conformity that applies to purchases from a business.
You’re looking for a model that suits the way you use it and want to assess its repairability or durability, spare parts and energy use separately. ADEME recommends checking the information relevant to the model and its category rather than relying on a single indicator.
Start by checking whether a repair is possible. If you replace the appliance, compare options suited to the same use, taking account of condition, repairability and energy use separately.
| Priority | What to check | Who considers this important? |
|---|---|---|
| Repair before replacing | Check your guarantees, the cost of the repair and whether the fault and repairer are eligible for the Repair Bonus. | If my appliance breaks down, I want to know whether a repair would get it working again at an acceptable cost. This is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Repairability of your next appliance | Identify the relevant index for the category and check its detailed criteria, as well as information about spare parts. | When I replace an appliance, I want to be able to assess the maintenance and repair options for the specific model. This is a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Refurbished: condition and total cost | Compare the stated condition, accessories, delivery and after-sales service with those of a similar new appliance. | If I’m considering a refurbished appliance, I want to know what will be delivered and which guarantees apply before comparing offers. This is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Energy use in everyday use | Compare energy label figures on a like-for-like basis and check that the capacity suits your needs. | When choosing a model I plan to use regularly, I want to compare its energy use and, where stated on the label, its water consumption. This is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
In France, the durability index has applied to washing machines since 8 April 2025. Dishwashers and vacuum cleaners are among the categories covered by the repairability index. The Ministry for Ecological Transition explains that the two indices do not assess exactly the same criteria. For washing machines and dishwashers, the energy label shows figures including energy use in kWh per 100 reference cycles and water use in litres per cycle. ADEME recommends comparing appliances suited to the same use.
The type of appliance alone does not determine eligibility: the guarantee, the fault and the professional’s certification also matter. The ecosystem scale in force since 1 January 2026 excludes maintenance and consumables, among other things.
Check your guarantees first, then ask the repairer about the conditions for your appliance category and repair before factoring in a deduction.
Functional checks carried out as part of refurbishment do not mean the appliance is in the same condition as a new one, or that the offer will always be better value.
Ask for a description of the technical and cosmetic condition of the specific appliance being sold, then compare the accessories, delivery and after-sales service.
Offers may differ in their accessories, delivery and after-sales service. Compare these as part of the total cost.
The durability index for washing machines and the repairability index for dishwashers or vacuum cleaners assess different things. A score does not guarantee an individual product’s lifespan.
Compare models in the same category and check the details of the index that applies to the model you’re considering.
The label shows figures based on a reference cycle; it does not calculate the energy use for each household.
First check that the capacity and dimensions are suitable, then compare energy-use figures on a like-for-like basis. Running costs also depend on how often and under what conditions you use the appliance.
Worth considering when comparing index information for relevant washing machine models.
Worth considering if you want to check the repairability index details for a specific dishwasher.
Worth considering if the capacity and features of a washing machine in the range suit your household.
Worth considering if you want to search for washing machine spare parts using the appliance reference.
Worth considering if you want to search for documentation and spare parts by appliance reference.
These appliances let you compare washing machines and fridge-freezers by capacity and the stated energy-use figures.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a multi-door fridge-freezer and want to check its capacity and annual energy use.
Stated capacity: 488 L. E energy rating. Stated energy use: 298 kWh/year. Dimensions: 83,3 × 179,3 × 74 cm.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a 7 kg washing machine and want to check its stated energy use and information about spare parts.
Capacity: 7 kg. Stated spin speed: 1 400 rpm. A energy rating. Energy use: 40 kWh per 100 cycles and 44 L per reference cycle. Stated spare parts availability: 11 years.
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Worth comparing if you need a stated capacity of 11 kg and want to compare the energy use of models suited to your needs.
Stated energy use: 37 kWh per 100 Eco 40-60 cycles and 50 L per cycle.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a multi-door fridge-freezer and want to check its capacity and dimensions.
Stated capacity: 467 L. E energy rating. Stated energy use: 290 kWh/year. Total No Frost technology. Dimensions: 83,3 × 65 × 181,5 cm.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a top-loading washing machine with a stated capacity of 6 kg.
B energy rating. Stated spin speed: 1 400 rpm. Energy use: 49 kWh per 100 cycles and 41 L per cycle. 17 programmes.
The ecosystem scale in force since 1 January 2026 includes washing machines, dishwashers, fridges, vacuum cleaners, kettles and microwave ovens, among other appliances. The appliance must be out of guarantee, the fault must be eligible and the repairer must be QualiRépar-certified. Some work, including maintenance and repairs involving consumables, is excluded. Check the conditions for your appliance category and repair.
No. In France, the Ministry for Ecological Transition says the durability index has applied to televisions since 8 January 2025 and washing machines since 8 April 2025. Dishwashers and vacuum cleaners are among the categories covered by the repairability index. Check the index for the relevant category and its details: a score does not guarantee a particular lifespan.
First compare models suited to a similar capacity and use. Energy labels show figures including energy use in kWh per 100 reference cycles and water use in litres per cycle. Compare like-for-like figures, along with programme duration or noise levels if these matter to you.
According to the Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual. You can make a claim under it for two years. For second-hand goods, the presumption that the fault existed at the time of delivery lasts 12 months, compared with two years for new goods. This statutory guarantee is separate from any optional commercial guarantee.
Not automatically: according to the conditions published by ecosystem, maintenance and consumables are among the work excluded from the scheme. Before counting on a deduction, check with a certified repairer which criteria apply to the fault and appliance.