After a breakdown, first find out whether the washing machine can be repaired and how long it would take. You don’t need to replace it straight away if it can be fixed in a reasonable time. If you do replace it, choose a capacity and format that suit your home. For a reconditioned model, check what it has been inspected for and the condition of the specific machine being sold.
If your laundry is piling up, compare the time it will take to get a diagnosis and a possible repair with the installation date for a replacement. A temporary laundry solution could give you time to decide.
If the machine still met your needs before it broke down, ask what work is required and whether the necessary parts are available before deciding not to repair it.
If you need to replace your washing machine, reassess your usual laundry load, the space available and the access routes, rather than automatically choosing the same format again.
First, work out when you’ll be able to do your next wash. If you need a replacement, then check that it suits your needs and the space available.
Consider it if: a professional identifies a repair that can be carried out within a timescale that works for you.
Bear in mind: the timescale depends on the diagnosis, the part required and whether this model can be repaired.
Consider it if: a repair won’t get your washing done soon enough, or your old machine no longer suits your needs.
Bear in mind: just because a model is available doesn’t mean you can skip checking its capacity and installation requirements.
Consider it if: you can check the description, condition and inspection details for the specific machine that will be delivered.
Bear in mind: the specifications of the new model don’t tell you the condition of the individual machine being sold.
| Concern | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Getting the washing done again | Confirm the diagnosis date and repair timescale, then compare them with the installation date for a replacement. | When the laundry is piling up, I want to get back to washing quickly without rushing into choosing a machine. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this continuity. |
| Assessing a repair | Note down the machine’s model number and ask a professional to clarify the fault, the part required and whether it is available. | If my washing machine still met my needs, I want to know if it can be put back into service with a repair that can be carried out. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Choosing the right replacement | Measure the space and access routes, then compare the capacity and dimensions of suitable models. | If my old machine was too bulky or unsuitable for my laundry load, I don’t want to make the same mistake again. Around 25% of consumers put this suitability ahead of everything else. |
| Checking a pre-owned machine | Check the model number, the condition described, the inspections carried out and the seller’s identity. | If I’m considering a reconditioned or second-hand washing machine, I want to know the condition of the specific machine on offer before committing. Around 19% of consumers put this check at the top of their list. |
For new front-loading and top-loading washing machines sold in France, the French Ministry of the Economy says the durability rating has been displayed since 8 April 2025. Its score out of 10 combines repairability and reliability. Compare the details across models that suit your installation, but don’t treat the rating as a guarantee of how long a machine will last. ADEME recommends 7 kg as a suitable starting point for most households; your actual laundry load may call for a different capacity.
The rating helps you assess the repairability and reliability of a new washing machine, but it can’t predict how long the specific machine you buy will last.
Compare the rating details for models that fit your space, then check their capacity and features too.
A bigger drum is only right for you if your laundry load calls for it. ADEME says 7 kg is enough for most households.
Start with your usual laundry, then consider a larger capacity if your textiles or washing routine make it necessary.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, a reconditioned machine is a second-hand product whose functions have been fully tested and which has been repaired or restored if necessary. A standard second-hand listing doesn’t tell you what checks have been carried out.
Ask for a description of the specific machine on offer and check who the seller is before choosing this option.
These points relate to specific models or ranges. Check the details of the machine you’re considering rather than assuming they apply to an entire brand.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a front-loading washing machine and want to compare durability information model by model.
Worth considering if you want to look at the specifications for an 8 kg front-loading washing machine.
Worth considering if your laundry load makes it worth looking at larger capacities.
These front-loading washing machines are replacement options. Compare their capacity with your laundry load, then check each model’s dimensions and installation requirements before ordering.
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Worth considering if 7 kg suits your usual laundry load and a front-loading model fits your space.
The product name lists a spin speed of 1 400 tr/min and an energy rating of A. Check the installation requirements and durability rating for the exact model before comparing it with other new machines.
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Worth considering if your laundry load calls for 9 kg and you can install a front-loading machine at home.
The product name lists a spin speed of 1 600 tr/min and a connected feature. If the length of a quick programme matters to you, check the duration of the specific cycle before choosing. Also check the model’s durability rating.
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Worth considering as a 7 kg front-loading replacement, provided its dimensions suit your space.
The product name lists a spin speed of 1 200 tr/min and 16 programmes. Check the dimensions required for installation and the durability rating for the exact model.
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Worth considering if your laundry calls for an 8 kg capacity and you have enough space for a front-loading model.
The product name lists a spin speed of 1 400 tr/min and 16 programmes. Measure the space and access routes, then check the durability rating for the exact model.
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Only worth considering if your actual laundry load calls for a 10 kg capacity.
Check its dimensions and durability rating before comparing it with other new models. If the steam function mentioned in the product title is one of the reasons you’re interested, confirm that it’s available on this specific model.
First, shortlist machines that suit your installation and laundry load, then compare their scores out of 10 and the details behind each score. The French Ministry of the Economy says the rating, which combines repairability and reliability, has applied to front-loading and top-loading washing machines sold in France since 8 April 2025. It doesn’t guarantee how long an individual machine will last.
No. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, a reconditioned product is a second-hand item whose functions have been fully tested and which has been repaired or restored if necessary. Also ask for a description of the condition of the specific machine being sold, not just the specifications of the original model.
ADEME says 7 kg is enough for most households. Treat this as a starting point, not a rule for everyone. Choose a different capacity if your usual laundry load calls for it, after checking the machine’s dimensions and the access needed for installation.
Yes, when a professional sells a reconditioned washing machine to an individual in France. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that this guarantee covers new, second-hand and reconditioned goods sold by a professional; it doesn’t apply in the same way to second-hand sales between individuals. So check who the seller is before choosing a machine.