Used lawn mowers always seem to look good on paper. Looking through the small ads and online, you’ll find mowers that appear to be available at some unbelievable prices. But, how do you know if it’s a good deal or if the mower is on its last legs? Well, buying anything second-hand is always a gamble, but if you go searching knowing what to look out for and what questions to ask, you’ll have better luck finding a bargain and avoiding the lemons.
What to Look for When Buying a Used Lawn Mower
So, let’s say you have found an ad for a mower that, at first glance, looks interesting and may be worth a closer look. What do you need to do? Here’s what I suggest you do before you even leave your house.
Research
Before heading out to look at a second-hand mower, do your research first. You need to know how much the same model retails when brand new. Next, I’d dig around the internet and see if there are any deals for the particular lawn mower you’re interested in. As long as it’s available, you have a starting point for the most you should ever pay for the mower.
Calculate What It’s Worth
As soon as a new lawn mower leaves the store, it reduces in value. When you get home with a new mower, it’s lost about 15% of its value. So, if you want to buy a second-hand mower less than a year old, it should be at least 15% less than retail, and that’s if it’s in perfect condition.
After each additional year, the mower will lose an additional 15%. This basically means that after 7 years, it’s worth nothing regardless of what you paid for it.
This value comes from how our property depreciates in the eyes of insurance companies and the IRS. So, if you’re looking at buying an old mower, just hope it doesn’t get stolen because your homeowner insurance will be unlikely to cover it.
Talk to the Owner
Next, you will want to give the owner a call and ask some questions. This is a great way to find out if it’s worth going to see it rather than just turning up blind.
Also, you can ask the same questions when you go to see the mower. This is a good method to see if the owner gives the same answers or if they change the story. For example, find out the mower’s age, model number, where it’s been stored, what routine maintenance it’s gotten, and how big of a lawn it’s used to cutting. These are basic questions to get a feel for the mower and its life.
Who is Advertising the Lawn Mower
Next, you’re off to see the mower. Depending on where you’re going, whether a homeowner or a retailer, you’re going to take a different approach to better understand the two types of sellers.
Buying from a Retailer
If you’re off to see a retailer for a second-hand lawn mower, then you’re more than likely looking at a trade-in. This basically means that somebody has purchased a new mower and traded their old mower for a discount on their new purchase. So you could be getting anything.
Retailers, like a mower store or local farm shop, try their best to get the mower ready for resale, but usually, the mower isn’t a manufacturer they deal with, and their knowledge is limited. So, they patch it up and send it out with a 30-day warranty, which means absolutely nothing.
Now, this is from the horse’s mouth and not my personal view. So, I tend to listen when a mechanic tells me not to buy a used mower from a used retailer.
Buying from a Homeowner
This is where things get interesting and fun. If you go to look at a mower at someone’s private home, just relax and be confident. Remember, they probably want to sell the mower more than you want to buy it, so you likely have the upper hand. I’ll discuss what to look out for in the next section.
Go See the Lawn Mower
Below you can read about the things that I recommend you pay particular attention to when going to see a used mower. This will help you understand if you’re getting a good deal or not.
The General Appearance of the Mower
Used mowers are going to have some dings and scratches. But they shouldn’t be a disaster and look like they have been in a pile-up on the highway.
Additionally, if you see some repairs on the paintwork or a rust repair, this will be a good indication that the owner has taken care of the mower and fixed things that needed to be fixed.
Checking the Underside of the Deck
When checking the underside, you’ll want to look for any rust or broken shroud. There’s going to be some rust, it’s impossible to avoid this, but there shouldn’t be so much that it’s going to cause a problem.
I’d be happy if I find a deck that’s been cleaned, and rust is at a minimum to none. If you find the previous owner sharpened the blade and used some deck lubricant, then that would be a great sign. This would tell me the owner has looked after the mower.
The Serviceable Items
Now it’s time to look at the serviceable items like the oil, spark plug, air filter, and fuel filter. If these things have already been serviced recently, then it will save you some time and money from doing it yourself. Additionally, it shows the owner has taken care of the mower, and it could have years left in it.
Checking the Oil
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it off with a rag, and put it back in the mower. Then, pull the dipstick back out and look at the oil’s color and level. The oil should look clean and be between the fill line.
Check the Spark Plug
Here you just need to have a look at the spark plug. If it looks new, you’ll know it was changed recently.
Checking the Air Filter
Ask the owner to remove the air filter cover and have a look inside. You want to find a clean air filter. A new one would be nice, but as long as it’s clean, you should be ok.
Check the Fuel Filter
Finally, the last serviceable item to check is the fuel filter. This can be a little more difficult as not all fuel filters are see-through or accessible without some tools. But if the mower you’re looking at has a clear filter, then make sure it’s clean inside.
Extra Checks for Riding Mowers
When buying a used riding lawn mower, you’ll have to check a few extra items, such as the tires and seat. You want to make sure that the tires are nice and firm and have plenty of grip. As for the seat, just check it’s in good condition. A new seat can set you back a few hundred bucks.
Testing How the Mower Runs
Once you have inspected the condition of the mower and its serviceable parts, it’s time to go ahead and test how the mower runs.
First, ask the owner to start the mower, and watch how the process goes. It should be a simple starting process; choke, throttle, starter. The mower should be running and ready to work with one or two pulls of the starter cord or a turn of the key.
Let the mower sit for a few minutes to warm up, then increase the throttle to the max for a few minutes. If everything runs smoothly without any strange sounds, then the mower would appear to be in good working order.
Just as an extra test, ask the owner to switch off the mower for a minute and then restart it. Some mowers have mechanical problems, and hot starting is a problem, so this test will check for that.
Cut Some Grass
I would always test the mower to make sure that there are no issues when the mower is cutting. The extra strain on the mower will put it to the test and identify any potential problems. Also, you want to have a feel of how the mower handles. There’s no point buying a mower that you don’t like the feel of.
Red Flags that Something is Not Right When Buying a Used Mower
Buying a used lawn mower isn’t easy, and a dishonest seller can make it even harder. So, always be on the lookout for red flags. Here are some things you can keep in mind when visiting a property to look at a used mower.
Checking Out the Property
The first thing I always look at is the lawn at the property where the mower is being sold. If the lawn isn’t up to your standards, then there’s a good chance the owner isn’t great with a mower.
This doesn’t mean it’s a bad mower, but it would make me question if I wanted the mower that cut that lawn—not judging, just an observation.
Do the Stories Match?
Remember the questions you asked on the phone? Well, you want to make sure you ask the same questions again. This time, you want to make sure you get the same answers. I’d see it as a red flag if you get a different answer.
Do the Answers to the Questions Appear True?
When you’re asking questions, make sure the answers ring true. For example, if the owner tells you the oil was changed recently, but it is black when you test it, then you’ll know he/she is either mistaken or lying.
How the Mower Performs
The ultimate test for the used mower is how it performs. If there’s a problem with the mower starting or when it’s running, then I’d be having second thoughts. If the engine is surging or the lawn mower is blowing white smoke, then I’d walk away.
The Best Places to Buy a Used Mower
If you’re in the market for a used lawn mower, you want to know where to look. Here are some of my go-to places.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is fairly new to me, but I’ve had great success. It’s simple, has pictures, and is easy to communicate on. The best part is it’s free, and there are a lot of local people selling mowers.
This would always be on the top of my list of places to check when hunting down a used lawn mower. The downside is that there are a lot of spam advertisements and scams, so be careful.
Craigslist
Craigslist has been around for years. It’s a great platform if you want to look a little further afield as you can search state specific. Also, those people who don’t use Facebook usually turn to Craigslist.
The only downside to Craigslist are the spam calls and emails if you post your details on a wanted advertisement if you’re looking for a specific mower.
Hitting the Sales for a Cheap Lawn Mower
If you’re looking for a used lawn mower, then you’re probably doing this to save a few dollars. Another option is to wait for the fall sales. As soon as fall rolls in, the big box stores pile the shelves with Thanksgiving and Halloween products.
The BBQs and mowers get pushed into the corner. So, if you can wait for Thanksgiving and Black Friday, you’ll likely get a new mower for less than a used one.
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