Before replacing a household vacuum cleaner, ask for a diagnosis to find out whether it can be repaired. If you choose a different appliance, check its condition and the seller’s status when buying second-hand or refurbished. For a new model covered by the scheme, check its repairability index, but don’t mistake this for a guarantee of its future condition.
Your appliance isn’t picking up as well as it used to, or it has stopped working. A diagnosis can identify the fault before you decide whether to replace it. In France, the Repair Bonus may apply to eligible repairs carried out by a QualiRépar professional on appliances no longer under warranty, according to ADEME and ecosystem.
You want to compare second-hand and refurbished options without judging an appliance by its appearance alone. Battery condition, included accessories and the seller’s status all matter. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that the protections available differ depending on whether the seller is a business or a private individual.
You’re considering a new vacuum cleaner and want to check how repairable it is before buying. For models covered by the scheme in France, the repairability index and a search for parts that match the exact model reference can help you make an informed choice.
If your household vacuum cleaner is in France, start by finding out whether it can be repaired. If you do replace it, compare buying second-hand from a private seller, buying refurbished from a business or choosing a new model, based on the checks you can carry out.
Consider this: if your vacuum cleaner is in good enough condition to keep, subject to a diagnosis.
Bear in mind: whether it can be repaired depends on the fault, the parts needed and how long the work will take.
Consider this: if you can inspect and try out the appliance before deciding.
Bear in mind: in France, the statutory conformity guarantee does not apply to sales between private individuals, unlike sales from a business to a private individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy.
Consider this: if you want a pre-owned appliance whose functions have been tested before resale.
Bear in mind: the term ‘refurbished’ alone doesn’t tell you the condition of each part or exactly what the listing includes.
Consider this: if you want to compare the repairability of new models covered by the scheme before buying.
Bear in mind: the index alone won’t tell you whether a vacuum cleaner suits your home or what repairs it might need.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Repair your current appliance | Ask for a diagnosis and find out which parts are needed. To qualify for the Repair Bonus in France, confirm that the appliance is no longer under warranty, that the fault is eligible and that the work will be carried out by a QualiRépar professional, in line with the conditions set out by ecosystem. | If my vacuum cleaner can still be used, I’d rather find out what’s wrong before replacing it. Around 33% of consumers prioritise having this option to repair. |
| Choose a refurbished appliance | Ask the professional seller what was tested or repaired, then check the exact model and what’s included. In France, the statutory conformity guarantee applies to refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy. | I want an appliance that’s been used before, but I also want to know what checks were carried out before it was resold. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Consider buying second-hand from a private seller | Test the suction and, for a cordless model, check that it charges. Check the accessories and look for parts that are compatible with the exact model reference. In France, the statutory conformity guarantee does not apply to sales between private individuals, according to the Ministry of the Economy. | I can take the time to inspect the appliance before choosing, rather than relying on checks by a professional seller. Around 13% of consumers put this hands-on inspection first. |
| Compare new models | Check the repairability index for the model in question and the details behind its score, then look for parts that match its reference. The ministry responsible for ecological transition states that the requirement to display an index does not apply to second-hand or refurbished appliances. | When choosing a new vacuum cleaner, I want to check how repairable it is before committing. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this information. |
In France, the Ministry of the Economy defines a refurbished product as a second-hand item whose functions have been fully tested and, where necessary, repaired or restored. A listing that simply says ‘second-hand’ doesn’t imply that these checks have been carried out.
For a refurbished appliance, ask what has been checked and what’s included. For a second-hand one, plan to try it out yourself and check that the accessories are compatible.
According to the Ministry of the Economy, in France the statutory conformity guarantee covers second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual. It doesn’t apply to sales between private individuals.
If this protection is important to you, check the seller’s status and keep a copy of the listing and any documents describing the appliance.
The index tells you how repairable a product covered by the scheme is; it doesn’t tell you how worn a pre-owned item is. The ministry responsible for ecological transition states that the requirement to calculate and display the index does not apply to second-hand or refurbished appliances.
For a pre-owned appliance, check its performance, any battery and the items included separately. For a new model covered by the scheme, check its score and the criteria behind it.
A fault doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace your vacuum cleaner. The Repair Bonus offered by ecosystem depends, among other things, on whether the appliance is under warranty, whether the fault is eligible and whether the work is carried out by a QualiRépar professional.
Before deciding whether to keep the appliance, ask what the fault is, which parts are needed and how long the repair will take.
A spare parts catalogue can help you plan a repair or buy a pre-owned vacuum cleaner, as long as you search using the appliance’s exact model reference.
Worth considering if you’re looking for filters, chargers, floorheads or dust containers for certain stick vacuums from the brand.
Worth considering before choosing a second-hand or refurbished Dyson stick vacuum, particularly if you might need a battery, dust bin or filter.
Worth considering if you want to look for vacuum cleaner maintenance items or spare parts by model.
In France, it may apply to eligible repairs carried out by a QualiRépar-certified professional if the appliance is no longer covered by a warranty. The ecosystem rates in effect since 1 January 2026 include stick, robot and cylinder vacuum cleaners. Check that the fault is eligible before the work begins.
The term ‘refurbished’ alone doesn’t tell you the condition of a cordless vacuum cleaner’s battery. Ask the seller what has been tested or replaced, check the appliance’s model reference and confirm exactly what’s included.
In France, it covers a second-hand vacuum cleaner sold by a business to a private individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy. It doesn’t apply to sales between private individuals, so check who is selling the appliance before you decide.
No. In France, the requirement to calculate and display this index does not apply to refurbished appliances, according to the ministry responsible for ecological transition. To compare one, check its model reference, the tests carried out, its condition and any parts you might need.
Check that the appliance charges and works, then ask which accessories and charger are included. Also look for a replacement battery that matches the exact model reference. The availability of parts for a product range doesn’t confirm that they’ll fit every version.