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 | £180 (~$240) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £153 (~$204) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £117 (~$156) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £81 (~$108) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £45 (~$60) | 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
Sizing, above everything. A garment that does not fit is the commonest reason a second-hand clothing purchase disappoints, and it is entirely avoidable by asking for flat measurements rather than trusting the label.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a leather jacket is worth what is being asked:
- Bonded or faux leather, which flakes as it ages
- Cracked or dried-out panels, especially at the elbows
- Broken or replaced zips
- A strong stored-away smell, which is hard to shift
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Genuine leather with a supple, broken-in feel
- Intact stitching at the shoulders, cuffs and pockets
- Working original zips and hardware
- Classic cuts that stay in demand across seasons
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeits concentrate in a handful of premium labels and are usually given away by the internal tags rather than the outside: font weight, stitch density on the label edge, and a care label that does not match the era of the design.
Ask for a photograph of the inner label and the garment laid flat with a tape measure across the chest and the length. Both are quick for an honest seller and awkward for anyone who does not have the item in front of them.
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 leather jacket, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Answer directly and point to the photograph of the inner label. If you genuinely do not know, say that instead of guessing — a wrong claim ends the sale at the door.
Photograph it rather than describing it. Lining damage is cheap to repair and buyers price it in calmly when they can see the extent.
Give pit-to-pit, shoulder and sleeve measurements. Leather does not stretch to forgive a wrong guess, so vague answers here produce returns you cannot accept.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Check the label and feel the grain — real leather is uneven and warms to the touch
- Work every zip and press stud
- Inspect the lining at the underarms where wear shows first
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- Full front with the jacket zipped, on a hanger so the shoulders sit properly
- The lining, especially under the arms and across the back
- A close-up of the leather surface in daylight, showing grain and any patina
- Every zip pull, plus any crack, scuff or repair
Details to confirm before you commit
- Whether it is real leather, suede, sheepskin or faux — state this plainly
- Pit-to-pit and sleeve length, since leather has no give and sizing is unforgiving
- The lining condition, described honestly, including any splits
- Whether the zips and press studs all work
Live leather jacket listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse clothing 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
Strongest from September to November. A good biker or bomber in a common size usually sells within two to three weeks; unusual sizes and colours take longer but hold their price.
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 leather jacket 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 leather jacket for what to photograph and how to price, or what leather jacket is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used leather jacket?
Around £20 to £117 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 leather jacket before buying?
Ask for a photograph of the inner label and the garment laid flat with a tape measure across the chest and the length. Both are quick for an honest seller and awkward for anyone who does not have the item in front of them.
Is buying a leather jacket 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. Sizing, above everything. A garment that does not fit is the commonest reason a second-hand clothing purchase disappoints, and it is entirely avoidable by asking for flat measurements rather than trusting the label.
See also: all buying guides · leather jacket value guide · selling leather jacket · Clothing · condition grades.