Buying second-hand: what to check
Most things are a good buy used. A few are not – and with a handful of them the difference matters for safety, not just for your wallet. This is the short version of what to look at.
The general rules
- Test before you pay. Zips, seams, hinges, moving parts. Bring a tape measure – furniture that does not fit is the classic regret.
- Ask about completeness. Missing parts, instructions, keys, chargers.
- Buying privately means no warranty. Between private individuals the statutory guarantee is usually excluded – what you take home is yours, faults included.
- Smell it. Damp, mould and smoke rarely come out of textiles and upholstery.
Electrical items
Ask to plug it in. Check the cable and plug over their whole length for cracks and repairs, and look for the CE mark and a type plate. Anything opened, taped or obviously repaired is best left alone – a bargain is no bargain if it is a fire risk. Note that batteries in older cordless devices are often dead, and replacements can cost more than the item.
Toys
Look for small parts that could come loose on toys for under-threes, sharp edges, and the CE mark. Older painted wooden and metal toys can contain problematic substances – if in doubt, keep them as decoration rather than for a toddler. Soft toys should be washable.
The things to buy new
Some items are second-hand only if you know the history personally:
- Child car seats. Plastic ages through temperature swings and sunlight; manufacturers commonly recommend replacement after around five to seven years, and a seat that has been in a crash may be unusable while looking perfectly fine. Buy from friends or family whose seat you can trace – otherwise new.
- Bicycle and riding helmets. Replace roughly every five years and after any impact. You cannot see a damaged shell from outside.
- Mattresses for babies and small children – hygiene and firmness.
Bicycles
Take a test ride. Brakes and gears through the whole range, wobble in the wheels, rust on the chain, play in the headset. Ask where the bike came from – a receipt or frame number protects you from buying stolen goods.
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