A second-hand fridge bought locally could be a good option if you can inspect it and arrange to transport it upright. A refurbished model offers a clearer framework for functionality testing, while a new fridge is worth considering if you need a particular style or delivery service. Whichever you choose, check the dimensions, access to your home and the seller’s commitments before making a decision.
Compare local collection with delivery slots and getting the fridge into your home. Depending on the retailer and appliance, delivery, installation or collection of your old appliance may be available. Check which services apply to your order.
Ask for the full model number and a description of the specific appliance, and request a demonstration if possible. If you’re considering a refurbished model, France’s DGCCRF explains that this status requires functionality testing and repairs where necessary. You should still check the stated condition of the appliance.
Measure the space, as well as the doors, corridors and stairs the appliance needs to pass through. Then compare these measurements with the dimensions of the exact model and check that its doors will open in your kitchen.
Consider it: if you can inspect the appliance before agreeing to buy and arrange to collect it upright.
Bear in mind: an inspection can’t guarantee future reliability. In France, the legal guarantee of conformity does not apply to sales between private individuals, according to Service-Public.fr.
Consider it: if you want to buy second-hand but would prefer an appliance that has had its functions tested.
Check: any stated faults and the delivery and guarantee terms should apply to the specific appliance being offered, not just to the product range.
Consider it: if you need a particular style or want delivery and installation on a date that suits your move.
Check: these services vary by seller, product and address. An advertised availability date doesn’t guarantee the appliance will be installed in your kitchen.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Condition and protection | Ask for the model number and a demonstration if possible. Find out whether the seller is a business or a private individual, and read their written terms. | If the appliance breaks down shortly after I move in, I want to know what evidence and what form of redress I can rely on. Around 31% of consumers put this peace of mind first. |
| Availability | Confirm collection or the delivery slot, and whether the appliance will be brought into the room. | I need to be able to keep my food cold without waiting for an uncertain delivery date to be confirmed. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Size and access | Compare the appliance’s full dimensions with the space available and every access route. Plan to transport it upright. | If there’s a narrow doorway or stairs to navigate, a fridge that won’t fit doesn’t meet my needs, whatever its capacity. Around 25% of consumers prioritise whether the appliance will fit their home. |
| Second-hand | Check the condition of the specific appliance and what’s included in collection or delivery. | I’d like to equip my new home with an appliance that’s already been used, as long as I can judge what I’ll be taking away or having delivered. This preference is the main factor in the decision for around 19% of consumers. |
An appliance that’s been used isn’t automatically refurbished. In France, the DGCCRF says that the term “refurbished” implies functionality testing and repairs where necessary.
Ask what has been checked on the specific appliance, then read its description and the seller’s terms.
Available space in the kitchen isn’t enough: the appliance must also fit through the access points, and its doors need to open once it’s in place.
Measure the space, doors, corridors and stairs, then compare them with the full dimensions of the model. If delivery is included, confirm that the appliance will be brought upstairs and into the room.
If the route isn’t accessible, you may need to arrange another delivery or the planned delivery may not be possible.
According to Service-Public.fr, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to sales from a business to a private buyer. It doesn’t apply in the same way to sales between private individuals. This doesn’t mean that every other form of redress is ruled out.
Find out who the seller is before agreeing to buy, and keep the appliance description and any documents provided. Make sure you distinguish the legal guarantee from any commercial guarantee offered.
Bosch Home Appliances recommends transporting a fridge upright rather than horizontally.
Arrange suitable help and equipment, secure the doors and protect the internal components. Follow the model’s manual or the manufacturer’s instructions before switching it back on.
These retailers offer examples of different ways to shop. Check their services and terms for the appliance and location you have in mind.
A network selling refurbished appliances, worth considering if you’d like to explore what’s available from a local branch.
An online seller of refurbished large appliances, worth considering if home delivery is an important factor in your decision.
A retailer offering new fridges in various sizes, with collection or delivery options depending on the offer.
These models include several fridge styles for your home, from mini fridges to multi-door appliances. For each one, check the sale condition shown on the product page, the seller, the full dimensions and the delivery terms before comparing it with a second-hand or refurbished option.
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Worth a look if you want refrigeration and freezing in one appliance. The product title states a total capacity of 174 L, Low Frost technology and a reversible door. Check the dimensions and that the door opens the right way for your kitchen.
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Consider this model if you need two separate compartments and a stated width of 54 cm. The product title gives the 227 L capacity as 153 L of fridge space and 74 L of freezer space, and states that the door is reversible. Measure the height, depth and access points before ordering, too.
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This four-door model is for anyone looking for a stated total capacity of 467 L. The product title mentions Total No Frost. Before choosing this large model, check the dimensions, access route and space needed to open the doors.
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Worth a look if you’re after a four-door appliance with a stated total capacity of 474 L. The product title mentions a salad drawer. To plan its installation, check the full dimensions, the route to your kitchen and the space needed to open the doors.
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This table-top model is designed for drinks and snacks. Its stated total capacity is 45 L and the product title mentions adjustable feet. Check that this capacity meets your food storage needs before making it your home’s main fridge.
No, not under this guarantee: Service-Public.fr says it applies to contracts between a private buyer and a professional seller. It can cover a new, second-hand or refurbished item sold by a professional. Its absence from a sale between private individuals doesn’t necessarily rule out every other form of redress.
According to the DGCCRF, it’s a second-hand item whose functions have been tested and which has been repaired if necessary before sale. Read the description of the specific appliance being offered, including any stated faults and the seller’s commitments.
Plan to transport it upright: Bosch Home Appliances advises against moving a fridge horizontally. Empty it before moving, protect the internal components and check the manual for instructions on switching it back on.
In France, the DGCCRF describes free “one-for-one” take-back of an equivalent used appliance when you buy a new one from a retailer covered by the scheme. Ask the seller how to arrange take-back with your delivery or collection.