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 circular saw is worth what is being asked:
- Bent base plates, which prevent square cuts
- Sticking or damaged blade guards, a safety issue
- Worn arbor and bearing play
- Missing fences and spanners
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Flat, undamaged base plates
- Retracting guards that spring back reliably
- Recognised trade brands with blade availability
- Rip fence and blade spanner included
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 circular saw, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Test it several times and confirm. A guard that sticks open is a serious hazard, and this is the single most important thing to check on a used circular saw.
For cordless, say clearly and name the platform. Body-only tools are worth far less and buyers filter for the distinction.
Run it through your hands and inspect it. Nicked insulation on a power tool cable is a real risk and must be disclosed.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Lay the base plate on a flat surface and check for rock
- Retract the guard and confirm it snaps back
- Check for play at the blade arbor
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 saw from the side, whole, on a bench
- The lower guard in the closed position
- The base plate and depth and bevel adjusters
- The cable and plug, plus the rating plate and any damage
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, model, blade diameter and maximum cut depth
- Corded wattage, or battery platform and voltage for cordless
- Whether a blade, guide rail, case or dust adapter is included
- Guard function, cable condition and any fault
Live circular saw listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse tools & diy 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 in spring as projects start and before Christmas. Trade brands sell within days; unbranded tools compete on price alone.
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 circular saw 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 circular saw for what to photograph and how to price, or what circular saw is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used circular saw?
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 circular saw 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 circular saw 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 · circular saw value guide · selling circular saw · Tools & DIY · condition grades.