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
Cordless tools sold without batteries or a charger, which can cost more to replace than the tool is worth, and worn brushes on corded tools.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a cordless drill is worth what is being asked:
- Degraded batteries, the usual reason these are sold
- Discontinued battery platforms with no replacements
- Worn chucks that no longer grip bits securely
- Bare tools with no battery or charger
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Batteries holding a full charge on a current platform
- Brushless motors, which last far longer
- Complete kits with charger, case and spare battery
- Recognised trade brands with wide battery compatibility
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeit batteries and chargers are widespread and are a genuine fire risk. Fake tools themselves are rarer but exist in the premium brands.
Ask which battery platform it takes, exactly what is included, and for a photograph of the tool running. Buy batteries from a reputable source rather than with the tool.
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 cordless drill, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Charge each one and test under load. Replacement batteries often cost more than a used drill, so this single answer sets the price.
Confirm it and say whether it is the standard or fast charger. Chargers are platform-specific and not cheap.
Name the brand and voltage. Buyers already owning batteries in that system will pay more for a bare tool than a stranger would.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Charge each battery fully and test under load
- Tighten a bit and check the chuck holds without slipping
- Confirm which battery platform it belongs to
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 drill with a battery fitted, from the side
- All batteries and the charger laid out together
- The battery labels showing voltage and amp-hour rating
- The chuck and clutch collar, plus the case and any bits
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, battery platform and voltage
- How many batteries, their amp-hour rating and their tested condition
- Whether the charger is included, and whether it is the fast charger
- Chuck size, clutch settings, and whether the case and bits are included
Live cordless drill listings
There is 1 live on WishThrift right now:
When to buy
Steady all year with a spring lift. Trade-brand tools with healthy batteries sell within days; tools with tired batteries need honest pricing.
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 cordless drill 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 cordless drill for what to photograph and how to price, or what cordless drill is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used cordless drill?
Around £20 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 cordless drill before buying?
Ask which battery platform it takes, exactly what is included, and for a photograph of the tool running. Buy batteries from a reputable source rather than with the tool.
Is buying a cordless drill 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. Cordless tools sold without batteries or a charger, which can cost more to replace than the tool is worth, and worn brushes on corded tools.
See also: all buying guides · cordless drill value guide · selling cordless drill · Tools & DIY · condition grades.