Households dealing with a repairable fault
A quote can help you decide whether to get your appliance working again or replace it. First, check whether it’s covered; ecosystem explains the conditions for its Repair Bonus on eligible repairs.
Who is this choice for?
Households that use their appliance frequently
If you regularly use a washing machine, dishwasher, fridge or tumble dryer, compare the stated energy consumption of appliances designed for the same purpose and with a suitable capacity. ADEME recommends checking the figures on the energy label, not just its class.
People considering a second-hand appliance
Before buying a second-hand or refurbished appliance, check its condition, model number and any information available about how it works. The French Ministry of the Economy also explains how the protections available differ depending on whether the seller is a business or a private individual.
What should you consider?
After a breakdown, or when you know you’ll need a replacement, start by finding out how much it would cost to get the appliance working again. Then compare the options that genuinely suit how long and how often you’ll need it.
Repair
Worth considering: a professional can provide a quote to get the appliance working again.
Keep in mind: ecosystem’s Repair Bonus depends on the appliance, the fault, whether it’s covered and whether you use a QualiRépar-approved repairer.
Buy new
Worth considering: you need a specific capacity or features for regular use.
Keep in mind: compare the energy consumption figures for appliances in the same category and with a similar capacity; an energy class alone doesn’t tell you everything about how an appliance will perform in use.
Second-hand or refurbished
Worth considering: you can check the model number, condition and whether the appliance is suitable for your home.
Keep in mind: according to the French Ministry of the Economy, second-hand products don’t need an energy label; the legal guarantee of conformity depends, among other things, on whether the seller is a business.
Rent or borrow
Worth considering: you’ll only need the appliance for a limited time.
Keep in mind: check the rental period, delivery, installation and return terms before committing.
| What matters to you | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Avoid replacing an appliance too soon | Ask for a detailed quote and check the warranty or insurance before agreeing to a paid repair. | If my appliance breaks down, I want to know what it would take to get it working again before replacing it. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this decision about whether to repair. |
| Keep running costs under control | Compare the energy consumption figures on the labels of appliances designed for the same purpose and with a similar capacity. | If I use an appliance often, I want to be able to gauge how much energy it will use over time. This is the top concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Choose an appliance for long-term use | Check which index applies to the category, then look at information about spare parts and whether the appliance suits your needs. | If I plan to keep my appliance for a long time, I want to check how repairable it is and make sure it suits the way I’ll use it. Around 27% of consumers prioritise how long they’ll use an appliance. |
| Meet a short-term need | For a second-hand appliance, check its condition and the seller; for a rental, check the duration and return terms. | If my need is temporary or I need to keep the initial cost down, I want to compare options other than buying new. Around 13% of consumers prioritise this choice. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Comparing only the purchase price of a new appliance
For an appliance you use regularly, energy consumption and capacity matter too. For example, ADEME says a dishwasher’s energy label shows kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle.
Compare the figures shown for appliances in the same category and with a capacity suited to your household.
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Looking for the same index on every appliance
In France, the indices don’t cover the same categories. The ministry responsible for the ecological transition says the durability index applies to new TVs and washing machines, while the repairability index still applies to other specified categories.
Check which index applies to the appliance you’re comparing, then consider it alongside the energy consumption and spare-parts information.
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Assuming you’ll get the Repair Bonus before checking eligibility
According to ecosystem, eligibility depends in particular on whether the appliance is covered and on the type of fault. If the repair isn’t eligible, the bonus won’t reduce the quote.
Ask a QualiRépar-approved repairer to confirm eligibility and the final cost on the quote.
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Confusing second-hand and refurbished appliances, or overlooking the seller’s status
A refurbished appliance has been tested and, where necessary, repaired. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that the legal guarantee of conformity applies when you buy a second-hand or refurbished appliance from a business, but not when you buy from a private individual.
Check the model number, condition, any work carried out, the seller’s status and the documents provided with your purchase.
Brands to consider
There are no brand profiles to display in this section.
New appliances to compare
These fridges and tumble dryers are options to consider if you’re buying new. Before replacing your appliance, compare their capacity and features with the way you’ll use them, then check the energy label and any information that could help you maintain them.
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Hotpoint CHD84MWBSEE, 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer, class C
Worth considering if you’re looking for an 8 kg tumble dryer for regular laundry loads. Check the energy consumption on the energy label and the availability of spare parts for this model.
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Sonlu CC-520WE, 444 L fridge, class E
Compare its 444 L capacity with your storage needs and the space you have available. The product name states that it’s frost-free and has a noise level of 40 dB; check its energy consumption on the energy label.
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Electrolux EDH1018CD GentleCare, 8 kg condenser tumble dryer
Its 8 kg capacity is a useful starting point if you’re replacing a tumble dryer for regular household use. The product name mentions the OptiSense sensor; also check the energy consumption and spare-parts information for the exact model.
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Comfee CD08EHP05W-HR, 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer, class D
If you’re comparing 8 kg tumble dryers, consider whether the capacity suits the amount of laundry you wash. To assess this heat pump model’s energy consumption, check the figure on its energy label rather than relying on its class D rating alone.
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CHiQ JR92DSE, 92 L under-counter fridge, class E
Its 92 L capacity could suit limited or supplementary storage needs, as long as you check it’s enough for you. The product name mentions a freezer compartment; check its dimensions and energy consumption before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
Which appliances have a durability index in France?
According to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition, the durability index has applied to new TVs since 8 January 2025 and new washing machines since 8 April 2025. It takes repairability and reliability into account; don’t expect to find it on every category of home appliance.
Which appliances still have a repairability index?
The ministry responsible for the ecological transition lists, among others, laptops, electric lawn mowers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners and pressure washers. Before comparing two appliances, check which index applies to their category rather than interpreting the absence of the other index as a measure of their durability.
When can you claim the QualiRépar Repair Bonus?
According to ecosystem, the bonus is deducted from the bill for an eligible repair carried out by a QualiRépar-approved repairer. The appliance must, among other things, be owned by a household and bought in France, and must no longer be covered by a statutory or commercial warranty or insurance. Cosmetic repairs, certain damage caused by external factors and consumables are excluded. Ask the repairer to confirm that the fault is eligible before comparing quotes.
Are second-hand or refurbished appliances covered by a guarantee?
The French Ministry of the Economy explains that second-hand or refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual are covered by the legal guarantee of conformity. This guarantee doesn’t apply to sales between private individuals, so check the seller’s status and keep any documents describing the appliance and the sale.