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 | £250 (~$333) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £212 (~$283) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £162 (~$216) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £112 (~$150) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £62 (~$83) | 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 coffee machine is worth what is being asked:
- Scale build-up, which shortens the machine’s life
- A weak or failing pump, audible when it runs
- Missing baskets or portafilter, which are model-specific
- Capsule machines for discontinued systems
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- A regularly descaled machine with no scale visible
- Recognised espresso makers with parts still available
- Portafilter, baskets and tamper all included
- Original packaging for safe posting
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 coffee machine, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Do it, then say so with confidence. It is the question every buyer asks and a straight yes is worth real money on the price.
Test it with actual milk, not water, and confirm. Steam wands and automatic milk systems block up and this is where used machines commonly fail.
Name the system exactly. A machine tied to a discontinued or expensive pod line is worth much less, and buyers need to know before, not after.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Run a shot and watch the pressure and flow
- Check the water tank and group head for scale
- Gather every accessory that came with it
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 front on, clean, with the drip tray in place
- The group head, portafilter or pod mechanism close up and clean
- The water tank, clear of scale
- Everything included: portafilter, baskets, tamper, milk jug, descaling tools
Details to confirm before you commit
- Type: pod, filter, espresso with portafilter, or bean to cup
- Brand, model, and for pod machines which pod system it takes
- Whether it has been descaled recently, and roughly how often it was used
- Which accessories are included: portafilter, baskets, tamper, milk frother, jug
Live coffee machine listings
There is 1 live on WishThrift right now:
When to buy
Steady all year with a lift before Christmas and in January. Bean-to-cup and quality espresso machines sell fastest; basic pod machines are plentiful and move slowly.
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 coffee machine 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 coffee machine for what to photograph and how to price, or what coffee machine is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used coffee machine?
Around £20 to £162 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 coffee machine 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 coffee machine 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 · coffee machine value guide · selling coffee machine · Kitchen & Appliances · condition grades.