A good used appliance can save you hundreds of dollars. A bad one can cost you more than buying new. Consider this your comprehensive guide to buying used appliances in London, Ontario: a straight look at which second-hand machines are worth it, what to inspect before you pay, and how to tell a genuine bargain from a dressed-up problem. We repair every major brand and sell reconditioned units, so we see both sides every week. If you would rather skip the hunt, you can browse the reconditioned appliances we sell in London instead of shopping online marketplaces.
The short version: fridges, washers, dryers, and ranges are often smart used buys when they are the right age and you can test them. Dishwashers and heavy electronics are riskier. Here is how to tell them apart before your money leaves your hand.
When buying used actually makes sense
Buying used only wins when the discount is real and the remaining lifespan is long. A five-year-old fridge that sold new for $1,500 might go for $500 second-hand and still have a decade left in it. That is a good trade. A twelve-year-old machine of the same model for $250 is not a deal; it is a repair bill with a delivery date.
The rule of thumb technicians use is simple: buy used when the appliance is under half its expected lifespan, the price is at least 40 to 60 percent below new, and you can plug it in and watch it run before committing. Miss any one of those, and the financial risk climbs fast.
Quick take
A used appliance is worth it when it is young, deeply discounted, and testable. If the seller will not let you power it on, or the price is close to new, walk away.
Which appliances to buy used and which to skip
Not every appliance ages the same way. Some are mostly metal and motors that hold up for years. Others pack in circuit boards and sensors that become expensive the moment they fail. Here is how major categories stack up in this buying used appliances guide:
| Appliance | Buy used? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (5 yrs or newer) | Good bet | Simple, long-lived; test cooling and listen for the compressor |
| Washing machine | Good bet | Durable; check drum, seals, and for leaks during a cycle |
| Electric dryer | Good bet | Basic and cheap to service; confirm it heats and tumbles |
| Range or stove (electric) | Usually fine | Test every element and the oven; watch for a cracked cooktop |
| Dishwasher | Be careful | Hidden leaks and worn pumps are common; inspect closely |
| Anything smart or high-end European | Risky | Control boards and replacement parts can cost more than the unit |
Save your money
Match the appliance to your real need, not the listing’s promise. A basic used top-load washer that runs clean will serve most homes for years. Paying extra for a used high-end machine with features you will not use just buys you costlier repairs down the road.
How to inspect a used appliance before you pay
A ten-minute inspection separates most good buys from the duds. Bring a phone flashlight and a bit of patience, and work through this in order:
- Ask for the age and model: Look up the model number online for the manufacture year and any recall history.
- Run it before you pay: Insist the appliance is plugged in and running. A fridge should be cold inside and humming quietly; a washer should fill, agitate, and drain without leaking.
- Check the seals and gaskets: Torn fridge or washer door seals let in air and water and indicate hard use.
- Look underneath and behind: Rust, water stains, and pooled residue point to leaks the seller may not mention.
- Listen carefully: Grinding, knocking, or loud rattles usually mean a worn bearing, pump, or compressor.
- Inspect cosmetics honestly: A few scratches are fine and worth a discount; a cracked glass cooktop or a bowed door is a hidden repair cost.
Pro tip
Perform a quick online search of the model number on the spot. Two minutes tells you the appliance’s age, whether parts are still available, and if owners report a common failure. If parts are discontinued, even a cheap unit is a dead end when it breaks.
Warranty, private sellers, and your rights
Where you buy changes what protection you get. A private marketplace sale is almost always final: no warranty, no returns, and little recourse if the machine dies in a week. A reputable used-appliance dealer usually reconditions units and backs them with a limited warranty, which is worth real money if something goes wrong early.
It also pays to shop with energy costs in mind. An older fridge can quietly add a lot to your electricity bill, so a slightly newer, more efficient model is often cheaper to own over time. The ENERGY STAR Canada program explains how much difference an efficient appliance makes over its lifespan.
Did you know?
A fridge from the early 2000s can use two to three times the electricity of a modern efficient model. On a unit you keep for years, that gap can quietly erase the money saved buying the cheaper old one. Age affects operating costs just as much as reliability.
Using this buying used appliances guide in London, Ontario
London and surrounding areas have an active second-hand appliance market, from marketplace listings to dedicated reconditioned dealers. Following a reliable buying used appliances guide helps ensure you select units that have been tested, cleaned, and warrantied. If a fridge or washer needs a minor repair to be perfect, our fridge repair specialists in London can assess it, and our appliance delivery and installation service can safely bring it home and set it up.
Buying used is not about grabbing the cheapest listing. It is about paying a fair price for an appliance with years left from a seller who stands behind it. Done right, a second-hand unit is one of the best value decisions a household can make.
People often ask: Is it better to repair my old appliance or buy a used one?
If your current appliance is under eight years old and repair costs are less than half of a comparable used replacement, fixing it usually wins. Past that age, or when repairs approach the price of a good reconditioned unit, replacing it with a tested used machine makes more sense.
Download the free quick guide
A one-page checklist to inspect a used appliance and spot a bad buy before you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Found a used appliance and want a second opinion before buying, or need it repaired, delivered, and installed? Max Appliance Repair London helps homeowners across London, Woodstock, and St. Thomas get more life out of their appliances. Get in touch and we will tell you honestly whether a unit is worth your money.
