First, check whether the appliance can be repaired and will still meet your household’s needs. If you need to replace it, compare new, refurbished and second-hand options, taking the appliance’s condition, the seller’s status and delivery arrangements into account. In France, for sales that include delivery, the Environmental Code provides for the old appliance to be taken back at the delivery point. Agree the arrangements before placing your order, and don’t assume disconnection or removal is included.
A diagnosis, any remaining warranty cover and the terms of the Repair Bonus can help you decide whether to get the appliance back in working order before buying another one. ADEME recommends considering this option before replacing it.
Your new appliance needs to suit your home, and the delivery arrangements and collection point must allow you to hand the old one over to the seller or delivery team. ADEME outlines this option for large appliances.
When choosing between a second-hand and a refurbished appliance, it’s important to distinguish between the stated condition, the checks carried out and the seller’s status. The DGCCRF points out that these terms don’t describe the same checks.
Start by finding out whether your current appliance could still meet your needs after a repair. If you replace it, check the condition of its replacement and the collection arrangements, as well as whether it will fit your home.
| What matters | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Repair before replacing | Check what warranty cover applies and ask for a diagnosis or quote. Ask a certified repairer whether the appliance qualifies for the Repair Bonus. | If my appliance still meets my household’s needs, I want to find out whether the fault can be fixed before I replace it. Around 34% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Delivery and collection | Confirm the collection point, which type of appliance is accepted and what preparation is required. Check whether collection is separate from installation or disconnection services. | When a bulky appliance needs to be removed from my home, I want to arrange collection at the same time as the new one is delivered. This would be the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Condition of a refurbished appliance | Check the stated condition of the appliance being sold, its accessories and the identity of the professional seller. | If I choose a refurbished appliance, I want to know its actual condition and what checks have been carried out, rather than relying only on the description of the new model. This would be a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Buying second-hand | Ask for the exact model, check that it works and that its accessories are included, then clarify transport arrangements and the seller’s status. | When buying an appliance that has already been used, I’d prefer to inspect the actual item I’ll receive and know who is responsible for the sale. Around 13% of consumers would make this their main concern. |
In France, the Environmental Code states that, for sales that include delivery, the old appliance is taken back at the delivery point. This rule does not, by itself, include disconnection or removal from a specific room.
Before placing your order, confirm where you need to hand over the old appliance, whether there is access to your home and what preparations the seller requires.
According to the DGCCRF, a second-hand item has already been bought, used or owned. The term ‘refurbished’ means it has undergone full functionality tests and been restored if necessary.
Ask for details of the appliance’s condition, any work carried out, the accessories included and the seller’s identity.
ADEME says that repairs are often possible before replacing an appliance. Whether it makes sense will depend on the diagnosis and whether the appliance can still meet your household’s needs.
Check what warranty cover applies and ask for a quote where possible. For eligible appliances, also check the terms of the Repair Bonus with a certified repairer.
In its guidance on large appliances at the end of their useful life, ADEME gives separate advice for refrigeration appliances.
If you’re replacing a fridge or freezer, ask what preparation and collection instructions apply before it’s removed.
In France, the Environmental Code provides for used products to be taken back at the delivery point when a sale includes delivery. Check with the seller exactly where you need to hand over the appliance, what preparation is required and whether any separate services are needed to remove it from your home.
According to the DGCCRF, a refurbished appliance is a second-hand item that has undergone full functionality tests and, if necessary, been restored before resale. You can’t assume these checks have been carried out just because an appliance is second-hand, so check the description of the specific item being sold.
In France, it applies when you buy a second-hand or refurbished appliance from a professional seller, as the DGCCRF explains. It does not apply to a private sale; any commercial warranty is a separate commitment.
In France, the government departments responsible for the ecological transition state that the durability rating applies to washing machines, while the repairability rating applies to dishwashers. These scores out of 10 can help you compare models in the same category, but they don’t replace checking the dimensions, connections and capacity you need.
No. ADEME recommends considering a repair before replacing an appliance, where possible. Check the warranty, ask for a diagnosis and consider whether the repaired appliance would still meet your needs. The Repair Bonus applies only to certain appliances and repairs that meet its terms.