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 fridge is worth what is being asked:
- Perished door seals
- Compressors running constantly
- Missing shelves, which are model-specific
- Interior cracking and broken drawer fronts
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Recent models with better energy ratings
- Door seals that grip properly
- All shelves, drawers and door bins present
- Quiet compressors with normal cycling
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, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Measure all three and give centimetres. Fridges go into fixed gaps and a centimetre either way decides the sale.
Say clearly. Some buyers specifically want one and others specifically do not.
Listen to a full cycle. Noise matters in open-plan kitchens and an honest answer is appreciated.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Run it for a day and confirm it holds temperature
- Test the seal by closing the door on paper
- Count the shelves and drawers
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 fridge closed, front
- The interior open, clean and empty
- The rating label inside the door
- The door seal and any dent, rust or missing shelf
Details to confirm before you commit
- Height, width and depth in centimetres
- Capacity in litres, and whether it has an ice box
- Under-counter, full height, or integrated
- Energy rating and approximate age
Live fridge 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 year round with a lift in summer and at moving times. Under-counter models sell fastest because they suit flats and rentals.
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 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 for what to photograph and how to price, or what fridge is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used fridge?
Around £39 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 fridge 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 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 value guide · selling fridge · Kitchen & Appliances · condition grades.