Can you sell a turbo trainer that does not work?
Yes. Repairers, people replacing one component and buyers who want a project all shop deliberately at this end. None of them will accept a fault they discover after paying.
What actually goes wrong with turbo trainers
These are the faults that move a turbo trainer down the grades, and the first things a buyer will ask about:
- Basic wheel-on trainers, worth very little
- Discontinued models no longer app-supported
- Missing cassettes and axle adaptors
- Noisy bearings under load
Grading it honestly
Fair covers something heavily used, or with a described fault or missing part: around £22 to £135. For Parts covers something not working or incomplete, sold as seen: roughly £12 to £75. Grades are seller-declared and nobody inspects them for you, so grading up does not raise what you get — it produces a buyer who arrives expecting something else. All five grades explained.
Working out what you actually have
Establish the fault properly rather than guessing at it:
- State whether it is wheel-on or direct-drive, and smart or basic
- Confirm it connects to current training apps
- Check which axle adaptors are included
Photographing the fault
Photograph the damage directly and in focus — it is the evidence that the rest of the description is honest:
- The trainer set up with a bike on it, whole
- The resistance unit and roller close up
- The model plate and any connectivity marking
- All accessories together, plus any wear, crack or missing part
What to state in the listing
Alongside the fault itself, buyers of broken turbo trainers want these confirmed:
- Type — wheel-on or direct drive — and whether smart or basic
- Brand, model, and maximum resistance or simulated gradient
- For direct drive, which freehub body is fitted and whether a cassette is included
- What accessories are included — skewer, riser block, power supply
Type, brand and model: “Wahoo Kickr Direct Drive Smart Trainer” or “Wheel On Turbo Trainer, Magnetic, Non Smart”. The word smart is the single most valuable term in the title when true, and direct drive is a separate and higher bracket again.
What buyers will ask
Answer these in the listing rather than waiting to be asked:
Answer precisely, and say which protocols it broadcasts. Buyers are matching it to specific training apps and a vague answer loses the sale.
For direct drive, say which cassette and how many speeds. It is a real cost to the buyer if it is missing or the wrong speed for their bike.
Pair it with an app and confirm before listing. Older smart trainers sometimes lose app support and that must be disclosed.
Is it worth repairing first?
Usually not, unless it is cheap and you can evidence it. What lifts the price is condition and completeness, which a repair rarely restores:
- Smart direct-drive trainers with power measurement
- Current connectivity supported by training apps
- Quiet operation under load
- Cassette and adaptors included
If the work would cost more than the gap between £75 and what a sound one fetches, sell it as is broken and let the buyer decide.
When to list it
Sharply seasonal: October to February is almost the entire market, peaking in January. A trainer listed in May is worth noticeably less, so holding until autumn is usually the better call.
Getting it to the buyer
Heavy and compact, so weigh it before quoting postage. Direct drive units especially are dense — collection is often the sensible route.
WishThrift does not process payments, arrange delivery or hold funds. Confirm the money has cleared before the item leaves your hands, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed.
Ready to list it? Free to list, no commission, and neither side pays a buyer-protection fee — create a free account, or read the full turbo trainer selling guide if yours turns out to be sound.
Frequently asked questions
Is a broken turbo trainer worth anything?
Yes — typically £12 to £75 at For Parts against £50 to £300 working. Repairers and people harvesting one component buy deliberately at this end. Basic wheel-on trainers, worth very little
Should I repair it before selling?
Usually not, unless the repair is cheap and you can evidence it. The things that genuinely lift the price are smart direct-drive trainers with power measurement and a repair rarely restores those.
What do buyers ask about a faulty turbo trainer?
The fault itself, in detail. Answer precisely, and say which protocols it broadcasts. Buyers are matching it to specific training apps and a vague answer loses the sale. The listing that answers it before being asked is the one that sells.
See also: what turbo trainer is worth by condition · how to sell turbo trainer · condition grades explained · all broken & damaged guides · all selling guides.