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 | £350 (~$466) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £298 (~$396) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £228 (~$303) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £158 (~$210) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £88 (~$117) | 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 fridge freezer is worth what is being asked:
- Failing door seals, which let in warm air
- Compressors that run constantly or cycle noisily
- Missing shelves and drawers, which are model-specific
- Ice build-up on a frost-free model, indicating a fault
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Recent models with better energy ratings
- Clean seals with no perishing or mould
- Frost-free operation working correctly
- All shelves, salad drawers and door bins present
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 fridge freezer, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Run it for a day with a thermometer and report actual temperatures. Vague reassurance is worth nothing on a refrigeration appliance.
Check the label and say. It is a meaningful feature and a real price difference.
Count them. Replacement shelves are model-specific, expensive and often discontinued, so missing ones matter more than they look.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Run it for a day and check both compartments reach temperature
- Close the door on a sheet of paper and check the seal grips it
- Count the shelves, drawers and door bins against the manual
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 appliance closed, front, in place
- Both compartments open, clean and empty
- The model and rating label inside the fridge door
- The door seals and any dent, rust or shelf damage
Details to confirm before you commit
- Total and split capacity in litres, and the fridge to freezer ratio
- External height, width and depth in centimetres
- Whether it is frost free, and the energy rating
- Freestanding or integrated, and whether all shelves and drawers are present
Live fridge freezer listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse kitchen & appliances 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
Steady all year, with a lift in summer and around moving season. Working appliances are often distress purchases and sell quickly.
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 fridge freezer 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 fridge freezer for what to photograph and how to price, or what fridge freezer is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used fridge freezer?
Around £58 to £228 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 fridge freezer 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 fridge freezer 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 · fridge freezer value guide · selling fridge freezer · Kitchen & Appliances · condition grades.