How to sell a games console on eBay and Vinted

• The exact model and version (for example disc or digital edition, slim, OLED, original or revised).
• Storage size.
• That it powers on, reads discs or cartridges and connects to the internet.
• That controllers work, including drift on analogue sticks.
• Every cable included: power, HDMI, charging cable.
• That your account has been removed and the console reset.
• Fan noise, overheating and cosmetic wear.

1. The console from the front and back, including ports.
2. The model number label, usually on the back or underneath.
3. Switched on, showing the home screen or system settings with the storage size.
4. Each controller and its condition.
5. All cables and accessories laid out together.
6. The box if you have it.
7. Any scratches, marks or damage.

• Brand and console name first, then the edition: disc, digital, OLED, slim.
• Add the storage size.
• Add the number of controllers and key accessories.
• Mention 'boxed' and 'tested' if true.
• Include the colour for consoles that come in several.

Example title

Sony PS5 Slim Disc Edition 1TB White Two Controllers Boxed Tested and Reset

Words buyers search for

• console name (PS5, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch OLED)
• edition (disc, digital, slim, Lite)
• storage (512GB, 1TB)
• model number
• boxed
• with controllers, with games
• retro (SNES, Mega Drive, PS1, GameCube)

• Model number from the label.
• Storage size and free space.
• Number and type of controllers.
• Region for retro consoles.
• Included cables and their type.

• Say what you tested: 'played a disc game for an hour, both controllers tested, no stick drift'.
• Mention fan noise or heat if it's louder than usual.
• Describe cosmetic wear separately from function.
• If something doesn't work, list it as faulty or for parts and say exactly what's wrong.

Current consoles in working order tend to suit eBay, where buyers search by model and edition and expect detailed photos, and they also sell on Vinted.

Retro consoles and boxed collectables tend to reach collectors on eBay.

Faulty consoles can still sell for parts or repair, as long as they're described clearly as faulty.

• Use the original box if you have it, inside a larger outer box with padding.
• Without the original box, wrap the console in bubble wrap and pack it in a sturdy box with padding on all sides.
• Consoles with cables and controllers are often heavier than a small parcel allows, so weigh and measure the packed box.
• Use a tracked service and keep proof of postage.

Not sure which parcel size you need? Check the postage size guide.

• Selling without removing your account, so the buyer can't set it up and your details are left behind.
• Leaving out the model number, so buyers can't tell which version it is.
• Not mentioning controller drift.
• Packing a console in a bag with no rigid box.

How do I remove my account from a console?

Use the console's settings to sign out, deactivate it as your primary or home console, and then do a factory reset. Each manufacturer explains the steps on its support site.

Should I include games?

Bundles with games can appeal to buyers, but rare or valuable games are often better listed separately.

Can I sell a faulty console?

Yes, as faulty or for parts. Say exactly what's wrong and what you've tried, and don't describe it as working.