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How we grade condition

A grade is a quick summary of cosmetic wear. It is never a substitute for the item's own condition report, which lists every defect by location.

The three grades

  • Condition: Excellent

    Close to new

    Little to no sign of use. Any marks are only visible on close inspection under direct light.

    What to expect

    No scratches on the screen. Light marks on the body at most.

    Shop excellent items
  • Condition: Good

    Light, visible wear

    Normal signs of use you can see at arm's length, such as light scuffs or small scratches. Nothing that affects how the item works.

    What to expect

    Light scratches or scuffs on the body. Screen may have faint marks that are not visible when it is on.

    Shop good items
  • Condition: Fair

    Heavy wear, lowest price

    Obvious cosmetic wear such as deep scratches, dents or discolouration. Every defect is photographed and listed.

    What to expect

    Clearly visible scratches, dents or worn keys. Screen marks may be visible when on — each one is disclosed.

    Shop fair items
Grades describe appearance, not function. Every grade goes through the same functional tests. A grade on its own does not mean an item has a warranty — the warranty for each item is stated on its listing.

Reading a condition report

Every listing has three parts that matter more than the grade:

  1. Cosmetic notes — each area of the item (lid, screen, corners) with what we found.
  2. Functional tests — what we tested, the result, and the date we tested it.
  3. What's in the box — accessories included, and anything that's missing.

We mark anything we couldn't check as Not tested. We never assume an untested feature works. If you need something checked before you buy, ask us and include the listing ID.

Example: three possible results
CheckResult
Keyboard & trackpad Passed
WebcamNot detected by the system Fault found
Fingerprint readerNo driver on fresh OS Not tested