How to buy a secondhand appliance

Buying secondhand is a great way to save household money up front, and you might even find a gem of a product that performs better than newer models on the market. There’s also less waste. If you buy new, there’s additional resources being used in the product’s manufacturing, not to mention extra emissions produced at the same time. Whereas a perfectly good, preloved product may be already sitting there waiting for you as its new owner.

While Consumer has traditionally only catered to the new market, we also have a rich historical database of thousands of products we have previously tested that may still have a lot of life in them and still be changing hands on the secondhand market.

With that in mind, the Product Test Team has delved into the archives to add as many historical tests to our pages as possible.

How to choose a good secondhand appliance

We’ve been busy adding secondhand buying advice to our buying guide pages. They’re a great place to start to know what to look for.

This is the time to look at our reliability and satisfaction ratings. The ratings are based on data from nationally representative surveys of fellow New Zealand consumers. Brands stand out when they combine good reliability with high owner satisfaction. Products from these brands will be a pleasure to own – they’re the brands to narrow down your search on.

That information is only part of the puzzle. When you settle on your preferred option, there’s no guarantee that the model you’re buying has been treated well during its life. Be sure to test things out and take stock of the product’s condition before you buy it. A dirty, beaten-up example indicates a rough life, and may be best ignored.

You should also check that the product is repairable, and that any software for it (if present) is still supported by the manufacturer. You don’t want to be left with in the lurch due to unavailable parts or software issues. It’s easy enough to ring a local appliance repair shop to enquire about spare parts; just be sure to have the model number on hand when you do.

How to browse Consumer for great older models

When researching older appliances, you can search for discontinued products in our database. Discontinued means the product is no longer being made, but you should still be able to find it on the market, whether in as-new condition, slightly used, or well and truly thrashed.

When comparing our test results, select “Discontinued” from the drop-down box in the filters on the left. We’ve gone back as far as we can to provide results from as many previously tested models as possible.

Remember the results are from their “as-new” status when we tested. However, they will still give a good indicator of performance and quality when deciding on which models to buy.

The price displayed is from the last time we gathered the prices when the product was available in store. It will give you an indicator of what sort of deal you might be getting on the secondhand market.

How far back should you go?

Generally speaking, with expensive stuff like large appliances and televisions, you can get by with products up to 8 to 10 years old. Anything beyond that, raises more of a risk that the product has reached the end of its usable lifespan. At this stage, repairs can start becoming more frequent and the product can become uneconomic to repair.

With electronic goods like tablets, laptops and mobile phones, the market moves faster, and when you’re looking at products beyond 3 to 5 years old, their ongoing viability starts looking more questionable.

That’s not a hard and fast rule though. Some products are designed for longer lifespans or are so well built that they do last. That’s where your research skills come in. Chances are that sellers will know all about the best products too, so expect to pay a premium for them in the secondhand market.

Something to take note of is that products like washing machines, dryers and fridges have got more energy efficient over time. Buying an older model probably locks you into higher running costs for the foreseeable future. It’s unlikely to break the bank but certainly factor to consider in any purchasing decisions.

A final check

Before pulling the trigger on a potential purchase, be sure to check the recalls page on the government-run Product Safety website.

The last thing you want is to buy an unsafe product, and this website will highlight any products that you should either avoid, or check have had the necessary repairs done to them before you buy.

It’s good practice to start checking this website every few months on behalf of your household. That way you can be across any potential issues with products you might already own.

Your rights if things go wrong

Bought something and want to take it back? Consumer members can contact our Consumer Advice Line for help. Our advisers will talk you through your rights.

Buying new

If a product you buy is faulty or not of acceptable quality, you don’t have to put up with it. The Consumer Guarantees Act has got you covered – you don’t need a warranty. Here's more about how you can get a refund, repair or replacement for a faulty product.

Buying used

If you’re buying from a secondhand dealer (including those listed as “in trade” on Trade Me) and discover the product is faulty, you're still covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act. The product should be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose and match its description. But you’re not covered by the act when buying privately. Read more info about your rights when buying secondhand goods.