A refurbished large appliance sold by a professional seller could be a good option if the listing describes the specific unit, the checks carried out, the accessories included and the delivery arrangements. If you need a particular model or installation, compare new and clearance options too. For a second-hand appliance sold by a professional, check the condition as described rather than assuming it has been refurbished. In France, your rights depend, among other things, on the seller’s status and the terms of the purchase.
You’re looking for an alternative to buying new, but don’t want to buy from a private seller. Before choosing a washing machine, fridge or dishwasher, identify the professional seller and check that the condition described matches the specific unit on offer.
You’re happy to accept some signs of use, but want to know which functions have been checked and how to report a problem after delivery. Distinguish your legal rights from any cover provided under a commercial warranty.
Stairs, narrow access or moving home can make the delivery slot, installation and removal of your old appliance especially important. Before ordering, confirm that these services are available for your address and the appliance you’ve chosen.
When buying a large appliance, first choose the type of offer that suits the condition and services you expect. Then check the listing for the specific unit and its delivery terms.
Consider this if: you’re happy to buy a second-hand item and want to know what checks and work were carried out before it was resold.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to check the cosmetic condition, accessories and services for the specific unit being sold.
Consider this if: you’re looking for an appliance described as new, from clearance stock or a display model, rather than a second-hand item that has been refurbished.
Bear in mind: a display model may have marks or different packaging. Ask the seller to confirm its condition and which accessories are included.
Consider this if: the appliance’s stated condition suits you and you don’t need it to be described as refurbished.
Bear in mind: the term ‘second-hand’ alone doesn’t tell you what tests or repairs, if any, have been carried out.
Consider this if: your choice depends on a particular model, capacity or built-in configuration.
Bear in mind: buying new doesn’t mean you can skip checking the dimensions, connections and delivery services.
| What matters to you | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Seller and what to do if the appliance breaks down | Professional seller’s identity; the process for dealing with a lack of conformity and the terms of any commercial warranty. | If a breakdown happens, I want to know who to contact and what protection comes with my purchase. Around 33 % of consumers might make this their top priority. |
| Delivery and installation | Delivery date or timeframe confirmed in writing; delivery into the home, installation and removal of the old appliance. | When replacing a heavy appliance, I need to know whether it can be brought into my home and installed. Delivery would be the top priority for around 27 % of consumers. |
| Condition of the unit | The model and condition of the appliance being sold; cosmetic defects, accessories and the precise type of offer. | I’m happy to accept signs of use if I know exactly what I’ll receive. Around 20 % of consumers would prioritise knowing the appliance’s actual condition above all else. |
| Suitability and use | Dimensions, installation, connections and capacity; durability or repairability rating where one applies to the model. | An appliance won’t be any use to me if it doesn’t fit the space or meet my household’s needs. Technical suitability would come first for around 20 % of consumers. |
For sales to private individuals in France, the Ministry of the Economy states that the statutory legal guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional. This should not be confused with a commercial warranty offered by the seller. As for delivery arrangements, the DGCCRF reminds sellers that they must clearly state the date or timeframe by which they undertake to deliver.
In France, the decree of 17 February 2022 published by Légifrance reserves the term ‘refurbished’ for second-hand products. So a clearance or display label does not, by itself, mean an item has been refurbished.
Ask exactly what type of offer it is, what checks and work have been carried out, what visible defects it has and which specific unit is being sold.
Home delivery doesn’t necessarily include installation, set-up or removal of your old appliance. At Envie, for example, you should check the terms of the advertised services with the relevant shop.
Ask for written confirmation of the delivery timeframe, access to your home and the services included with your order.
A commercial warranty may offer services specific to the seller. It doesn’t replace the statutory legal guarantee of conformity, which, according to the Ministry of the Economy, applies to goods sold by a professional to a private individual in France.
Keep the appliance description and receipt, and read the terms of any commercial warranty separately.
Even if an appliance is in good condition, it may still be unsuitable if its dimensions, door opening or connections don’t work for your home. A durability or repairability rating won’t confirm that the appliance is compatible with your installation either.
Measure the space and access routes, then check the installation type, capacity and connections for the exact model.
These retailers offer ways to compare large second-life appliances. Check the appliance listing and, where relevant, contact the shop to confirm the features and services advertised.
Underdog specialises in refurbished large domestic appliances, including laundry, refrigeration and cooking appliances.
Darty’s second-life range includes appliances with delivery and installation terms that depend on the offer you choose.
Depending on the shop, the Envie network offers refurbished laundry, refrigeration and cooking appliances.
An appliance described as refurbished is a second-hand item. In France, the decree of 17 February 2022 published by Légifrance reserves this term for second-hand products. Ask what checks and work have been carried out on the unit being offered, and get the cosmetic condition and included accessories confirmed rather than relying on the model name alone.
Yes, if you’re buying as a private individual from a professional seller in France. According to the Ministry of the Economy, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods. Keep the listing describing the stated condition and your proof of purchase so you can report any lack of conformity. Any commercial warranty is separate.
For a distance purchase made from a professional seller in France, the Ministry of the Economy states that you have a right to withdraw for at least 14 days, subject to the exceptions provided by law. Before ordering a large appliance, check how returns work in practice. A claim relating to defective or non-conforming goods is a separate matter.
Check that the model, accessories and visible condition match your order, and report any discrepancies to the seller straight away. Before delivery, get written confirmation of the stated timeframe and any installation or removal services you need.
Check the rating that applies to the model. According to the Ministry of the Economy, since 2025 the durability rating has replaced the repairability rating for front-loading and top-loading washing machines. The repairability rating applies to dishwashers, among other products. Neither rating, on its own, tells you the condition of the second-hand or refurbished unit you’ll receive.