Can you sell an Xbox Series X 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 Xbox Series Xs
These are the faults that move an Xbox Series X down the grades, and the first things a buyer will ask about:
- Console-only listings with no controller
- Dust build-up and fan noise, both obvious on a video call
- Missing the proprietary storage card if the listing implies it
- Scuffed casing from being moved between setups
Grading it honestly
Fair covers something heavily used, or with a described fault or missing part: around £90 to £158. For Parts covers something not working or incomplete, sold as seen: roughly £50 to £88. 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:
- Confirm whether you have the Series X or the smaller Series S
- Gather the controller, cables, box and any expansion card
- Compare sold listings for the same model and bundle
Photographing the fault
Photograph the damage directly and in focus — it is the evidence that the rest of the description is honest:
- The console upright as it will be handed over
- Everything included in one frame, cables and controller together
- The rear ports and the model label
- The controller from above, showing the thumbsticks and any wear on the grips
What to state in the listing
Alongside the fault itself, buyers of broken Xbox Series Xs want these confirmed:
- Series X or Series S, and the storage capacity
- Everything included: power cable, HDMI 2.1 cable, controller, batteries
- Whether the controller sticks drift, tested
- Whether the console has been opened, repaired or is still sealed from a repair centre
Be exact about the model, because Series X and Series S are constantly confused: “Xbox Series X 1TB with Controller and Cables”. If you have the original box, say so — it makes postage far safer and buyers notice. Mention any extra controller or Game Pass time, since both drive bundle appeal.
What buyers will ask
Answer these in the listing rather than waiting to be asked:
State it plainly and photograph the console. They look nothing alike but the names confuse people constantly, and the price gap is large.
Check. The Series X ships with a high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 cable that is needed for its best output modes, and buyers who game at high frame rates ask specifically.
Test both sticks and answer honestly. It is the standard question on any console sale and a straight answer builds the trust that closes it.
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:
- Controller, HDMI and power cable all present
- Original box, which matters more on consoles than most electronics
- Any storage expansion card included
- A quiet fan and clean vents
If the work would cost more than the gap between £88 and what a sound one fetches, sell it as is broken and let the buyer decide.
When to list it
Steady with a strong November and December. Consoles bundled with a second controller or a chunk of Game Pass move fastest.
Getting it to the buyer
Heavy and best posted in its original box if you have it, well padded if not. Local collection with a live boot test is the smoothest option and reassures a buyer spending several hundred pounds.
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 Xbox Series X selling guide if yours turns out to be sound.
Frequently asked questions
Is a broken Xbox Series X worth anything?
Yes — typically £50 to £88 at For Parts against £200 to £350 working. Repairers and people harvesting one component buy deliberately at this end. Console-only listings with no controller
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 controller, HDMI and power cable all present and a repair rarely restores those.
What do buyers ask about a faulty Xbox Series X?
The fault itself, in detail. State it plainly and photograph the console. They look nothing alike but the names confuse people constantly, and the price gap is large. The listing that answers it before being asked is the one that sells.
See also: what Xbox Series X is worth by condition · how to sell Xbox Series X · condition grades explained · all broken & damaged guides · all selling guides.