Households without an immediate way to do laundry
You need to get your washing machine working again quickly, while coordinating delivery of a new appliance and arranging for the old one to be taken away, if needed.
Who is this choice for?
People who care about durability
You want to compare new washing machines using the durability index and the breakdown of the score for each model.
Households considering a reconditioned machine or built-in drying
You’re looking at a reconditioned appliance and its terms of sale, or you don’t have room for separate washing and drying machines. These needs call for different checks.
How do the options compare?
Before replacing a broken washing machine, find out whether it can be repaired. If you need to buy a new one, check which option best meets your main needs and look into the delivery arrangements.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who this suits |
|---|---|---|
| Getting back to doing laundry quickly | Confirm the delivery slot for your address and how the old appliance will be taken away. In France, ecosystem says free take-back is available when you buy a new equivalent appliance, with arrangements depending on the delivery or collection option. | When I can’t do laundry, I want to know when my new machine will arrive and how the broken one will be taken away. Around 33% of consumers prioritise being able to get back to doing laundry. |
| Comparing the durability of new machines | For a new washing machine covered by the scheme in France, compare its durability index out of 10 and the breakdown of the score for the exact model. | If I’m replacing my machine with a new one, I want to be able to check its durability without assuming that a similar model has the same score. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Choosing a reconditioned machine | Check the condition of the appliance being sold, the tests and repairs it has undergone, the accessories included, the warranty that applies and delivery to your address. | I’d rather consider a reconditioned machine, but I need to know what condition it’s in and what will come with it when it’s delivered. Around 27% of consumers put this choice first. |
| Having a dryer built in | Check the exact model’s washing and drying capacities separately, and look at its energy rating. | I don’t have room for two appliances, or I genuinely need to dry clothes in the same machine. This is the top priority for around 13% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a reconditioned appliance is the same as a new one
The DGCCRF distinguishes reconditioned goods, which are second-hand items that have been tested and repaired if necessary, from new goods. The description should help you assess the appliance that is actually being sold.
Before ordering, check its stated condition, any work carried out, the accessories included and the warranty terms.
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Using the durability index for a different model
The index and its breakdown apply to a specific model. A similar variant will not automatically have the same score.
Compare the full model number on the product page with the one on the document explaining the index.
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Assuming your old appliance will be collected from your home
According to ecosystem, the arrangements for taking back an old appliance when you buy a new equivalent one can vary, including between collection and delivery options.
Before placing your order, confirm where and when your old appliance will be taken back.
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Confusing washing capacity with drying capacity
The washer-dryer product pages we checked at Electro Dépôt list separate capacities for washing and drying. This means you may not be able to dry a full wash load in the machine.
Check the two capacities separately for the model you’re considering, and choose this feature if it suits the way you dry your clothes.
Brands to consider
Electrolux
A brand to consider when comparing new front-loading washing machines, if you’d like to supplement the model’s index with an indicator based on after-sales service data.
- Electrolux is among the higher-ranked brands for front-loading washing machines in the Fnac Darty After-Sales Service Barometer.
- This result applies to the category and the retailer’s data, not to every model from the brand.
Miele
A brand to include when comparing front-loading washing machines, based on the exact model of each appliance.
- The Fnac Darty After-Sales Service Barometer ranks Miele among the top brands in this category.
- A brand ranking alone doesn’t tell you about the durability of a particular model or its spare parts.
Siemens
A brand to consider when comparing several new front-loading washing machines and their individual indexes.
- Siemens is among the higher-ranked brands for this type of appliance in the Fnac Darty After-Sales Service Barometer.
- The barometer is based on breakdowns recorded by the retailer’s after-sales services; it can’t predict how a particular appliance will perform.
Bosch
A brand to compare when buying a new front-loading washing machine, checking the index and model number of the appliance you’re considering.
- Bosch is among the higher-ranked brands for front-loading washing machines in the Fnac Darty After-Sales Service Barometer.
- This category-level data doesn’t replace checking the durability information for the product you’ve chosen.
Indesit
A brand to keep in mind when comparing new front-loading washing machines, if its models meet your delivery and installation requirements.
- Indesit is also among the higher-ranked brands in this category in the Fnac Darty After-Sales Service Barometer.
- This result won’t help you choose between two models without checking their respective features and indexes.
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Frequently asked questions
Should you consider a repair before replacing a washing machine?
Yes, if a repair may still be possible. Ask a professional to diagnose the fault and confirm that spare parts are available before deciding to replace the machine. A diagnosis doesn’t guarantee that a repair will be possible or right for your situation.
Does the durability index apply to new washing machines in France?
Yes. According to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, for washing machines covered by the scheme, the durability index out of 10 replaced the repairability index on 8 April 2025. Check that the displayed score and its breakdown match the full model number of the appliance you plan to buy.
How can you have an old washing machine taken away when buying a new one?
In France, when you buy a new equivalent appliance, ecosystem says the retailer must offer free take-back of the old one, including for online sales. Before ordering, check how this will work with your chosen delivery or collection option.
Does a reconditioned washing machine bought from a professional come with a legal guarantee?
Yes. According to the DGCCRF, in France the legal guarantee of conformity applies for two years from delivery when a professional sells a reconditioned item to a consumer. For a second-hand item, the fault is presumed to have existed at the time of delivery for one year, compared with two years for a new item. This legal protection is separate from any commercial warranty offered by the seller.