Buying Used Baby & Kids: What to Check

17 guides to buying baby & kids second hand — what to check, what a fair price looks like, and the questions to ask before you pay.

What goes wrong buying baby & kids used

Safety history you cannot see. A car seat that has been in a collision, a cot with a replaced part, or an item subject to a recall all look completely normal.

Misrepresentation and fakes

Counterfeit car seats and carriers exist and fail catastrophically in exactly the situation they were bought for. Buy safety-critical items new.

How to verify before you pay

Ask for the manufacture date and model number, then check the recall lists yourself — they are free to search. Do not buy a used car seat, carrier or helmet at all.

WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and does not hold funds. You are buying on the seller’s description and photographs, so ask directly — a seller who has the item will answer in minutes.

What you should expect to pay

Across this category, guide prices run from about £3 to £400 (approximately $4 to $533) depending on the item and its condition. Grades run New with Tags, Like New, Good, Fair and For Parts — what each one means.

Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026).

What each one typically costs

The most-searched items in this category, with the guide range a buyer should expect:

Item	Good condition	Full range
Travel System	£52–£260	£80–£400 (~$107–$533)
Pram	£32–£195	£50–£300 (~$67–$400)
Stroller	£26–£162	£40–£250 (~$53–$333)
Cot Bed	£32–£162	£50–£250 (~$67–$333)
Cot	£26–£130	£40–£200 (~$53–$266)
Car Seat	£20–£98	£30–£150 (~$40–$200)
Nursery Furniture	£26–£162	£40–£250 (~$53–$333)
Changing Table	£16–£72	£25–£110 (~$33–$147)

Every baby & kids buying guide

Frequently asked questions

What should I check before buying baby & kids second hand?

Ask for the manufacture date and model number, then check the recall lists yourself — they are free to search. Do not buy a used car seat, carrier or helmet at all.

What goes wrong most often?

Safety history you cannot see. A car seat that has been in a collision, a cot with a replaced part, or an item subject to a recall all look completely normal.

Does WishThrift check the item for me?

No. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and does not hold funds or offer buyer protection. Condition is described by the seller against five grades and the photographs are what you are buying on — which is why these 17 guides exist.