What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £180 (~$240) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £153 (~$204) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £117 (~$156) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £81 (~$108) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £45 (~$60) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Large appliances that need collection and a van, and small ones that have simply been descaled badly or not at all. On cookware, the state of the coating.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a hob is worth what is being asked:
- Cracked glass, which makes the hob unusable
- Failed zones or burners
- Missing pan supports and knobs
- Older gas hobs, which sell for less
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Induction hobs, which are most in demand
- All burners or zones working evenly
- Unscratched glass or intact enamel
- Original pan supports and control knobs
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeit premium cookware exists and is usually detectable on weight and base markings, which genuine pieces cast in rather than print.
Ask for the model number and the age, and for large appliances ask whether it can be wheeled out and whether there are stairs. Ask for a photograph of the interior.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about a hob, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Give the aperture dimensions, not just the overall size. It is the measurement that decides whether it fits the buyer’s worktop.
Photograph it across the light. A cracked ceramic or induction top is not safely usable and it is the fault that matters most.
For gas, a qualified engineer must. For induction, it is usually a dedicated circuit and needs an electrician. Say so plainly.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Test every zone or burner at full power
- Measure the cut-out dimensions precisely
- Check the glass for chips and cracks
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The hob from directly above, clean, whole
- The underside showing the connection and any cabling
- The rating plate with model and electrical load
- Each zone or burner, plus any chip, crack or scratch in the glass
Details to confirm before you commit
- Overall dimensions and the required cut-out aperture
- Fuel type and electrical load or gas type
- Number of zones or burners and control type
- Which zones have been tested and work, and any glass damage
Live hob listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse kitchen & appliances for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
Lifts around kitchen refits in spring and early autumn. Induction hobs in standard widths sell fastest.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have a hob sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell hob for what to photograph and how to price, or what hob is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used hob?
Around £26 to £117 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check a hob before buying?
Ask for the model number and the age, and for large appliances ask whether it can be wheeled out and whether there are stairs. Ask for a photograph of the interior.
Is buying a hob second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Large appliances that need collection and a van, and small ones that have simply been descaled badly or not at all. On cookware, the state of the coating.
See also: all buying guides · hob value guide · selling hob · Kitchen & Appliances · condition grades.