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 | £200 (~$266) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £170 (~$226) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £130 (~$173) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £90 (~$120) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £50 (~$67) | 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 pressure washer is worth what is being asked:
- Pumps that pulse or fail to build pressure
- Split or bulging hoses, a burst risk
- Missing nozzles and lances, which are model-specific
- Cracked housings from frost damage
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Pumps holding full rated pressure
- Intact hose with no bulges or leaks
- Complete with lances, nozzles and detergent bottle
- Induction motors on higher-end models
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 pressure washer, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Run it and watch for pulsing or a drop. Pump failure is the main reason pressure washers get replaced and buyers know to ask.
Name each one. Patio cleaners and specialist lances cost a lot separately and are model specific, so they lift the price meaningfully.
Run it through your hands and check the fittings. Hoses perish where they kink and a split hose loses pressure at exactly the wrong moment.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Run it and check it holds steady pressure
- Inspect the hose along its length for bulges
- Lay out every nozzle and lance
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 machine whole, with hose and lance attached
- All accessories laid out together
- The pump housing and the model plate
- The hose fittings and trigger gun, plus any crack, leak or perished seal
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, model, and maximum pressure in bar or PSI
- Flow rate if stated, and whether it is induction or universal motor
- Every accessory included, named
- That it has been run and holds pressure, plus any leak or fault
Live pressure washer 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
Strongly seasonal, from March to August with a spring peak. A working machine listed in April sells within days; the same one in November will sit.
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 pressure washer 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 pressure washer for what to photograph and how to price, or what pressure washer is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used pressure washer?
Around £26 to £130 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 pressure washer 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 pressure washer 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 · pressure washer value guide · selling pressure washer · Tools & DIY · condition grades.