Who is this decision for?

Households unsure whether to repair

Your washing machine isn’t working properly and you want to know whether the fault means it needs replacing. A diagnosis, parts availability, repair timescale and any existing warranty will help you decide.

Households looking for a better-suited appliance

If you need a replacement, its capacity, spin noise and energy and water use should suit your laundry and home, as well as its durability index.

Buyers considering a used machine

You’d like to extend the life of an existing appliance. Make sure you know whether it’s simply used or has been refurbished, and check its model reference, condition and the seller’s status.

Factors to help you decide

Repair your current appliance

Worth considering: when the fault can be identified and a compatible part can get the machine working again within an acceptable timeframe.

Consideration: a repair won’t solve a capacity or noise level that has been unsuitable for your household for some time.

Choose a new washing machine

Worth considering: if repairing the machine isn’t the right option, or you need an appliance with different features.

Consideration: the durability index alone won’t tell you how much space the machine needs, how much energy and water it uses or how noisy it is.

Consider a used or refurbished machine

Worth considering: if you can check the model reference and condition of a pre-owned appliance before you decide.

Consideration: a machine that’s simply second-hand won’t necessarily have undergone the tests associated with refurbishment.

After a breakdown, your priority might be getting your current machine working again, finding a suitable new model or assessing an appliance that’s already been used.

What matters What to check Consumers concerned
Getting the machine working again Ask for a diagnosis that identifies the fault and gives a timescale. Then check that the part is compatible with the exact model reference and check any existing warranty. When the fault isn’t clear, I’d rather find out whether my machine can be put back into service before replacing it; around 46% of consumers would make this their priority.
Choosing a suitable new replacement For a new model covered by the rules and sold in France, check its durability index and the details behind it. Also compare capacity, energy and water use, and noise on the exact model’s energy label. If I have to replace my washing machine, I want it to suit my usual loads and my home. I wouldn’t choose based on the durability rating alone; around 36% of consumers would prioritise finding a model that suits their needs.
Used and refurbished machines Check the model reference, condition and information about any tests carried out. Find out whether the seller is a business or a private individual. To extend the life of an appliance, I need to understand what’s been checked and who I’m buying it from; around 18% of consumers would put finding a pre-owned machine at the top of their list.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Replacing your machine before identifying the fault

    According to ADEME, it’s estimated that one in two appliances taken to an after-sales service centre in France isn’t actually broken. So unusual behaviour alone isn’t enough to conclude that your washing machine needs replacing.

    Describe the symptoms and provide the appliance’s model reference to get a diagnosis. Check its warranty before arranging any work, too.

  • Choosing a new model based on its durability rating alone

    The durability index gives you information about the repairability and reliability of the washing machine in question, but not all aspects of using it.

    Look at the details behind the index, then check the exact model’s energy label and dimensions to see whether it’ll suit your home.

  • Choosing a larger drum without considering your laundry

    A larger capacity isn’t necessarily useful if your usual loads are smaller. ADEME says that a 7 kg washing machine is sufficient most of the time.

    Think about how much laundry you really wash, including bulky items, before deciding on a capacity.

  • Confusing used with refurbished

    According to the DGCCRF, refurbishment involves complete functional tests and, where necessary, repairs or restoration. The legal guarantee of conformity applies when a business sells to a private individual, but not to sales between private individuals.

    Ask what checks have been carried out, confirm the seller’s status and find out what documents come with the appliance.

Brands to check for spare parts

These brand resources may help you look for parts, but they don’t guarantee availability for a particular model reference.

Bosch

A place to start when looking for parts using your washing machine’s E-Nr reference.

  • Bosch says its spare parts for washing machines are generally available for 15 years.
  • Check that the part you need matches your model and is actually available.

Electrolux

A place to check the official catalogue of washing machine parts and accessories.

  • Electrolux’s catalogue includes categories such as motors, pumps, seals and electronic components.
  • A category appearing in the catalogue doesn’t confirm that a part is available for your exact PNC reference.

Whirlpool

A place to look for a part or repair service using your appliance’s model reference.

  • Whirlpool France offers a parts search and repair options for appliances outside their warranty period.
  • Check whether the part for your particular model is available before relying on this option.

Joybuy products for replacing your washing machine

When comparing replacement washing machines, start with a capacity that suits your usual laundry loads and the space available in your home. Then check the exact model’s energy label for energy and water use, programme duration, noise and spin-drying efficiency. If you’re considering a used or refurbished appliance, check its condition, model reference, the tests carried out and the seller’s status.

Frequently asked questions

Does a new washing machine sold in France have to display a durability index?

Yes. This applies to the household washing machines covered by the rules and put on sale in France from 8 April 2025, according to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition and the decree of 5 April 2024. Check the rating out of 10 for the exact model, rather than a general rating for a product range.

What should I look at beyond the durability rating?

Check the details of the model’s repairability and reliability. The guidance from the ministry responsible for the ecological transition includes criteria relating to spare parts. The overall rating also doesn’t replace checking the capacity and energy label.

What should I compare when replacing my washing machine?

First, compare capacities to find one that suits your laundry loads. Then check the exact model’s energy label for energy use per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, eco programme duration, noise and spin-drying efficiency. ADEME says that a 7 kg capacity is sufficient most of the time; also check the space available in your home.

What’s the difference between a refurbished washing machine and a standard second-hand one?

According to the DGCCRF, a refurbished appliance is a used product that has undergone complete functional tests and has been restored if necessary. In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to used or refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual, but not to sales between private individuals. So check the seller’s status and what checks have been carried out.