A national survey in France by OpinionWay for French Leboncoin, a marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of used goods, reveals that 45% of French consumers have already avoided buying a used electronic or household appliance because of the fear of it breaking down. This anxiety is even higher among younger people: 64% of those under 35 have decided against a second-hand purchase for this reason. The research shows that offering a warranty can change this perception. More than half of consumers (55%) say they would be more likely to buy a used product if it came with protection against breakdowns. Conversely, 65% say the absence of protection discourages them from buying used, even when it offers better value. Importantly, 70% of respondents believe that the presence of protection would make buying second-hand products as safe as buying new.
Confidence rises with protection
The study quantifies how much trust grows when protection is offered. On a 10-point confidence scale, French consumers rated new products at 8.3, used products with protection at 6.6, refurbished products at 5.9, and used products without protection at only 4.6. Only 12% of consumers express strong confidence (a score of 8–10) in an unprotected used item, while this figure more than triples to 37% when a protection plan is added. These results suggest that breakdown protection not only reassures buyers but could also shift perceptions of second-hand quality, placing “used with protection” above refurbished in terms of trust.
Sustainability and savings drive second-hand growth
The combination of financial and environmental benefits is another decisive factor. If breakdown protection were automatically included with used electronic or household appliances, 88% of French consumers would consider buying used instead of new. The top motivations are clear: preserving purchasing power (56%) and limiting electronic waste (55%), followed by giving products a second life (50%) and consuming more sustainably (48%). Younger respondents under 35 are especially sensitive to these issues, with 57% citing more responsible consumption as their main motivation. These findings show that the inclusion of breakdown protection could accelerate the circular economy by making second-hand purchases both safer and more appealing, especially among younger and budget-conscious consumers.
Study methodology and context
The OpinionWay survey for Leboncoin was conducted on 1 and 2 October 2025 with a representative sample of 1,040 French adults aged 18 and over. The results confirm that breakdown protection is not just a technical or financial safeguard but a powerful trust factor that could redefine how French consumers approach used electronics, from Apple iPhones to washing machines.
Market
Trade-in
Repair
Refurbishing
