If your fridge or freezer isn’t keeping things cold, protect your food first, then get a diagnosis and quote before deciding whether to repair or replace the appliance. Compare the time it would take to get it working again and the parts required with your replacement options. If you’re considering a second-hand or reconditioned appliance, check its condition and the seller’s status too.
If your appliance is no longer keeping food cold, preserving your food must come before choosing a replacement. France’s DGCCRF consumer authority points out that rising temperatures speed up microbial growth. That means the time needed for diagnosis, repair or delivery should all factor into your decision.
A diagnosis and a written breakdown of the work and parts needed make it easier to compare a specific repair with replacing the appliance. Ask the repairer whether your appliance and fault meet the conditions for the Repair Bonus too.
If you’re considering a second-hand or reconditioned appliance, check its condition, what tests have been carried out and who the seller is. In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to sales from a business to a consumer, including second-hand and reconditioned goods, but not to private sales, as explained by the Ministry of the Economy.
When an appliance stops cooling, you need to make two separate decisions: deal with your food straight away, then choose between a repair, a new appliance or a second-hand one based on the diagnosis and how long you can wait.
Consider this if: a professional can diagnose the fault and get the appliance working again within a timeframe that suits your needs.
Bear in mind: parts availability and the quote for your exact model are still key, even if you’re eligible for the Repair Bonus.
Consider this if: the proposed repair won’t get your appliance working again quickly enough, or you’d rather buy a new appliance from a professional seller.
Bear in mind: check the dimensions, capacity, delivery arrangements and whether your old appliance can be taken away before you choose.
Consider this if: you can check the condition of the appliance and the terms of the sale.
Bear in mind: according to the Ministry of the Economy, a reconditioned appliance has been fully tested and repaired where necessary. Your legal protection depends in part on the seller’s status.
| Concern | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping food cold | Compare the time needed for a diagnosis or delivery, and plan a suitable way to keep your food safe while you wait. | When food can no longer be kept cold, I need to deal with storing it safely before making a purchase decision; around 42% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Whether a repair is possible | Ask for a written diagnosis and confirm parts availability and the repair timeframe for the exact model. | If a repair is still an option, I want to know what work is proposed before replacing my appliance; around 33% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Choosing a replacement | Check the condition and testing of a second-hand appliance, the seller’s status and the dimensions needed for installation. | When I need to replace my appliance, I want to choose between new and second-hand without overlooking its condition or the protection that comes with the sale; around 25% of consumers would prioritise this question. |
According to ecosystem, the scheme covers certain out-of-warranty repairs carried out by a QualiRépar repairer, provided the fault is eligible, among other conditions. The appliance must belong to a household and have been bought in France.
Check that you meet these conditions with the repairer before agreeing to the work.
The Ministry of the Economy explains that the legal guarantee of conformity applies when a business sells a new, second-hand or reconditioned product to a consumer, but not to a private sale.
Check who is selling the appliance and keep any documents provided with the sale.
In their January 2026 overview, the French ministries responsible for the ecological transition do not include fridges and freezers among the product categories covered by the repairability index.
Instead, ask about parts availability and the after-sales service arrangements for the model you’re considering.
The DGCCRF says that rising temperatures can make food unsafe by encouraging microbial growth.
Deal with food storage straight away, regardless of how long it takes to get a diagnosis or another appliance.
These fridge freezers are options to consider when replacing a household appliance. Before choosing, check that the dimensions suit your space and confirm the delivery timeframe, the condition of the appliance being sold and the terms of sale.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing a fridge freezer with a four-door model. Listed with an E energy rating and Total No Frost; check the access and installation dimensions, as well as the delivery timeframe.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing an appliance that combines refrigeration and freezing. Listed with a D energy rating; check the depth, clearance needed and delivery timeframe before confirming your choice.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a replacement fridge freezer. Listed with a C energy rating; check the space needed for installation and the delivery timeframe if you need to get your appliance up and running quickly.
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Worth considering if you want a freezer below the fridge. Listed with an E energy rating; confirm the installation dimensions and delivery timeframe.
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Worth considering if you need a side-by-side appliance and have space for it. The title lists 333 L for the fridge, 192 L for the freezer, No Frost and an E energy rating; check the overall dimensions and delivery timeframe.
Make sure your food is stored safely before deciding whether to repair or replace the appliance. The DGCCRF says that rising temperatures encourage microbial growth; follow the storage instructions on food products and avoid leaving chilled food out of the cold.
Yes, subject to certain conditions: ecosystem’s scheme covers out-of-warranty repairs carried out by a QualiRépar repairer if the fault is eligible. The appliance must belong to a household and have been bought in France. Check that the scheme applies before the repair is carried out.
Yes, if the appliance was sold by a business to a consumer and the issue is covered by the applicable legal guarantee of conformity. The Ministry of the Economy explains that this guarantee covers new, second-hand and reconditioned goods. Keep your proof of purchase and contact the seller before authorising a paid repair.
No. According to the Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity that applies to sales by businesses does not cover private sales. Check who the seller is and the condition of the appliance. If it’s described as reconditioned, ask what tests and repairs have been carried out.
Don’t assume these appliances will have such a rating: in their January 2026 overview, the French ministries responsible for the ecological transition do not include fridges and freezers among the product categories covered. For a specific model, ask about parts and after-sales service instead.