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 | £280 (~$373) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £238 (~$317) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £182 (~$242) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £126 (~$168) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £70 (~$93) | 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 tumble dryer is worth what is being asked:
- Vented models, which are the least wanted type
- A drum that squeals or thumps, usually a bearing or belt
- Blocked condenser units that no longer dry properly
- Missing vent hose on vented machines
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Heat pump models, which are far cheaper to run
- Recent purchase with proof of age
- Clean condenser and lint filters with no blockage
- Original hoses, vent kit and feet
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 tumble dryer, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Check the label and answer clearly. Heat pump dryers cost far less to run and are worth substantially more second hand.
Run a real load and report. A dryer that needs two cycles has a fault, usually a blocked condenser or failing element.
Give a year or an honest estimate. Buyers price the remaining life, and dryers over about eight years are a gamble they want to make knowingly.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Identify the type from the model plate: vented, condenser or heat pump
- Run a full cycle and check clothes actually come out dry
- Pull out and inspect the condenser and lint filters
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 whole machine, front, in place
- The drum interior, clean and lit
- The lint filter and condenser, clean
- The model and energy rating label, plus the display mid-cycle
Details to confirm before you commit
- Type: vented, condenser or heat pump
- Capacity in kilograms and the energy rating
- Brand, model number and approximate age
- Whether it is freestanding or integrated, and whether a vent hose is included
Live tumble dryer 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
Sells fastest in autumn and winter when drying outdoors stops being practical, and it is often a distress purchase, so working machines move 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 tumble dryer 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 tumble dryer for what to photograph and how to price, or what tumble dryer is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used tumble dryer?
Around £46 to £182 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 tumble dryer 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 tumble dryer 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 · tumble dryer value guide · selling tumble dryer · Kitchen & Appliances · condition grades.