Can you sell video games that are damaged?
Yes. Damaged stock has its own buyers: people who repair and restore, people who want the material rather than the object, and people who want a cheaper one and do not mind a flaw. Nobody should be surprised when it arrives.
The damage buyers look for on video games
These are the flaws that move video games down the grades, and the ones a buyer will check first:
- Disc scratches deep enough to cause read errors
- Missing manuals and inserts on collectable titles
- Cracked cases, though these are cheap to replace
- Sports titles and annual releases, which sell for very little
Grading it honestly
Fair covers something heavily used, or with a described fault or missing part: around £2 to £18. For Parts covers something not working or incomplete, sold as seen: roughly £1 to £10. 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 flaw properly rather than guessing at it:
- Check whether the case, manual and inserts are all present
- Hold discs to the light at an angle to see scratches
- Search sold listings for that exact title and platform
Photographing the flaw
Photograph the damage directly and in focus — it is the evidence that the rest of the description is honest:
- The full set laid out, spines and artwork visible
- The discs or cartridges out of their cases, showing surface condition
- Any manual or insert included
- Any scratch, cracked case or missing artwork
What to state in the listing
Alongside the flaw itself, buyers of damaged video games want these confirmed:
- Platform and region for every title
- Exact titles and editions included
- Disc or cartridge condition, and whether cases and artwork are complete
- Whether manuals or inserts are present
Platform first, then whether it is a bundle: “PS4 Game Bundle — 8 Titles Including FIFA and GTA V”. Naming two or three recognisable titles in the title pulls in searches for those games specifically. For a single valuable game, list it alone with the exact edition.
What buyers will ask
Answer these in the listing rather than waiting to be asked:
Photograph the play surfaces. Light scuffing is usually fine, but deep scratches cause load failures and must be shown.
Test as many as you reasonably can and say which you have verified. Being clear about what is untested is better than implying everything works.
Decide before listing. Splitting usually totals more but takes far longer and leaves you with the unwanted remainder.
Is it worth repairing first?
Only where it is cheap and visibly well done — a clumsy repair costs more than the flaw it hides. What lifts the price:
- Sealed or complete-in-box copies with manuals
- Sought-after titles with small print runs
- Discs and cartridges free of deep scratches
- Complete collections sold as a run
If the work would cost more than the gap between £10 and what sound ones fetch, sell them as they are damaged and let the buyer decide.
When to list it
Steady, with a strong Christmas lift. Bundles move quickly; common individual titles sit for a long time.
Getting it to the buyer
Cheap to post but heavier than expected in quantity, so weigh a bundle before quoting postage. Pack cases so they cannot crack against each other.
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 them? Free to list, no commission, and neither side pays a buyer-protection fee — create a free account, or read the full video games selling guide if yours turns out to be sound.
Frequently asked questions
Can you sell damaged video games?
Yes. Damaged video games typically are worth £1 to £10 against £5 to £40 undamaged, and there is a real market in repair, restoration and craft stock. Disc scratches deep enough to cause read errors
Is it worth repairing first?
Only where the repair is cheap and visibly done well. What buyers pay for is sealed or complete-in-box copies with manuals — a repair that draws attention to the flaw can leave you worse off.
How should I describe the damage?
Precisely, with a photograph of the flaw itself. Photograph the play surfaces. Light scuffing is usually fine, but deep scratches cause load failures and must be shown. Vague wording is what produces the message asking for a refund.
See also: what video games are worth by condition · how to sell video games · condition grades explained · all broken & damaged guides · all selling guides.