Households needing a quick replacement
If your laundry can’t wait, confirm the delivery slot, access to your home, the planned connection and collection of your old appliance before ordering.
Who is this option for?
Shoppers open to refurbished appliances
If you’re happy to consider an appliance that has been used before, ask for its full model reference, condition, checks carried out and after-sales support arrangements. The DGCCRF states that the term ‘refurbished’ implies functional testing and, where necessary, repairs.
People buying second-hand from a private seller
If you can inspect and, where possible, try the washing machine before buying, keep a copy of the listing and your messages. Service-Public.fr explains that the statutory guarantee of conformity does not apply to a sale by a private individual.
What should you check first?
When comparing new, refurbished, graded and second-hand appliances, first establish who is selling the machine and how it is being described. Then check when and how it can be installed in your home. The word ‘graded’ alone doesn’t tell you whether the appliance is being sold as new or second-hand, so ask for a written description of its condition.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Getting it up and running | Confirm the delivery slot, connection and collection of your old appliance for your address. | When the laundry is piling up after a breakdown, I want to know when the machine will actually be ready to use. Around 36% of consumers would put getting it up and running at the top of their list. |
| Protection and recourse | Identify the seller named in the contract and whether the appliance is new or second-hand; keep the receipt and after-sales support terms. | If I’m worried about another breakdown, I want to know who to contact about a fault and what recourse is available. This would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Purchase cost | Compare the condition and exact model references, as well as delivery, installation and return services. | To keep costs down, I’m willing to consider a second-life appliance, but I want to understand what the purchase includes. Around 21% of consumers would put cost first. |
| Long-term durability | For a new model that is covered, check its durability index; for a second-life appliance, look at the stated condition and after-sales support options. | After a first breakdown, I mainly want to choose an appliance I can maintain over time. This would come first for around 14% of consumers. |
According to the ministry responsible for ecological transition, the durability index has applied to new washing machines since 8 April 2025. It helps you compare the models covered, but it can’t guarantee that an appliance won’t break down.
What pitfalls should you avoid?
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Confusing the guarantee period with proof of when the fault arose
For a washing machine sold by a business to a consumer in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity may apply if a fault appears within two years of delivery. However, the Ministry of the Economy and the DGCCRF distinguish between the guarantee period and the period during which a fault is presumed to have existed at the time of delivery: twenty-four months for new appliances, compared with twelve months for second-hand or refurbished ones.
Keep the receipt, listing and delivery documents, and report any fault to the seller promptly.
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Assuming all second-life terms mean the same thing
The DGCCRF distinguishes refurbished appliances, which are functionally tested and repaired where necessary, from items simply described as second-hand. A stated cosmetic defect on a ‘graded’ appliance doesn’t, by itself, tell you its contractual status.
Ask for the model reference, the declared status and a description of any defects. For refurbished appliances, also ask what checks and work have been carried out.
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Assuming an online return will be easy and free
The Ministry of the Economy states that distance purchases from a business generally come with a right to cancel for at least fourteen days. For a bulky washing machine, it’s worth checking how returns are arranged before placing your order.
Check the cancellation and collection arrangements, as well as access to your home. Don’t confuse these with your rights if the appliance is faulty or damaged.
You may have to pay return or collection costs if the business told you about them before you placed your order.
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Buying from a private seller without documenting the condition
Service-Public.fr explains that the statutory guarantee of conformity does not cover sales by private individuals. The DGCCRF states that a claim for a hidden defect may still be possible, but you would need to establish, among other things, that the defect was not apparent and existed before the sale.
Keep the listing, messages and photos. If circumstances allow, ask to test the fill, drain and spin cycles before paying.
Retailers to consider
These retailers offer examples of different second-life options. Check the terms for the specific appliance and seller you choose rather than assuming that the services offered with one deal also apply to another.
Envie
A network offering refurbished washing machines and, depending on the local branch, related services.
- Envie Île-de-France lists refurbished washing machines from several brands with an advertised guarantee.
- Check with the relevant branch what guarantee, delivery, installation and collection terms apply to your chosen appliance.
Underdog
An online retailer with a refurbished washing machine range.
- Underdog advertises appliances that are tested and refurbished in France.
- Check the listing for the condition of the specific appliance, what’s included and the type of guarantee offered by the seller.
Darty 2nde Vie
A second-life range that distinguishes between refurbished products and new appliances with cosmetic defects.
- Darty lists these appliance types separately, making it easier to compare their stated condition.
- Check each product page for the model reference, responsible seller, described defects and delivery or installation services.
A washing machine to consider on Joybuy
This front-loading washing machine could be an option for replacing your broken appliance. Before choosing it as a new or second-life appliance, confirm its condition with the seller, along with the delivery, installation and collection arrangements.
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Electrolux EW7FI259160V SteamCare SmartSelect, 9 kg, 1 600 tr/min, connected
If you’re looking for a front-loading model to get the laundry done again, check that this washing machine fits the space you have in mind.
Stated capacity: 9 kg; stated maximum spin speed: 1 600 tr/min.
Before ordering, confirm the appliance’s status, the responsible seller, the services available at your address and the quick programme duration stated on the listing.
Frequently asked questions
Is a refurbished washing machine covered by the statutory guarantee of conformity?
Yes, in France, if you buy it from a business as a consumer. According to the Ministry of the Economy and the DGCCRF, a fault that appears within two years of delivery may be covered by this guarantee. For a refurbished appliance, a fault is presumed to have existed at the time of delivery during the first twelve months.
What about a washing machine bought from a private seller?
Service-Public.fr explains that the statutory guarantee of conformity doesn’t apply to this type of sale. You may still be able to make a claim for a hidden defect if the relevant conditions are met. Keep any evidence that shows the stated condition and the nature of the fault.
Can I change my mind after ordering online from a business?
Generally, yes. The Ministry of the Economy states that a distance sales contract between a business and a consumer comes with a cancellation period of at least fourteen days. Before buying, check how a bulky appliance must be returned and what costs you may have to pay. The right to cancel is separate from your rights if the appliance is faulty.
How can I tell if a washing machine is refurbished rather than simply second-hand?
In France, the terms ‘refurbished’ and ‘reconditioned’ imply, according to the DGCCRF and the Consumer Code, that all functions have been tested and that work has been carried out to restore them where necessary. Ask what checks have been completed and for a precise description of the appliance being sold.
Will my old washing machine be collected?
The ministry responsible for ecological transition sets out conditions for ‘one-for-one’ collection of an appliance of the same type when buying electrical household equipment. Before ordering, confirm exactly how collection works, particularly for home collection, and what access is needed to remove your old appliance.