Unsafe second-hand products

People selling or giving away second-hand products may have only used the products for a very short time. If so, the products may be ‘as new’ and in quite good condition.

However, unsafe second-hand goods may be:

• broken or damaged during previous use
• banned by the manufacturer/supplier for safety reasons
• recalled by the manufacturer/supplier for safety reasons
• without safety instructions
• without vital parts
• haphazardly repaired.

Buying or accepting gifts of second-hand products can help to save money; however, it is important to check the product’s condition before buying or accepting second-hand goods.

On this page:

• Possible hazards
• Avoiding unsafe second-hand products
• Physically check second-hand products
• Check for bans and mandatory standards
• Check for recalls
• General features to check
• Damaged second-hand goods

Possible hazards

Serious illness or injury

Second-hand or hand-me-down products could cause serious illness or injury if they:

• are damaged in a way that prevents them from working properly
• have undergone haphazard repairs  
• lack parts that are vital for safe use
• lack instructions for assembly or use
• are so old that they fail to meet requirements of current:
• product safety mandatory standards
• bans for similar new products on the market.

For hazards relating to particular products, view products we cover.

Avoiding unsafe second-hand products

Physically check second-hand products

Be careful when choosing second-hand products from a photograph in a newspaper or on the internet. Usually, consumers cannot physically check the safety of a product without:

• seeing the product
• handling the product
• testing the product.

Ask the owner/seller if the product has been in an accident. It is wise to avoid products that have suffered an impact. While a product may look undamaged, it may have weaknesses that make it unsafe for use. This is especially important for items such as child car restraints and motorcycle helmets.

Check for bans and mandatory standards

Mandatory safety standards or bans may cover the new version of many second–hand or hand-me-down products. The list of bans and mandatory standards on this website can help to identify products to avoid because they:

• are banned
• lack compulsory safety features currently required for similar new products
• lack compulsory warnings and instructions required for similar new products.

Using these products can increase the risk of serious injury or illness. This is particularly important for toys and infant and nursery products, as children are more vulnerable when using products.

Check for recalls

Suppliers may have undertaken a past voluntary recall of a second-hand product that consumers may wish to buy or accept as a gift or loan. Recalls are usually undertaken because the supplier has identified a safety issue with the product.

• Consumers can do an easy search on the Recalls Australia website to check for any recent or past recalls of products.
• Avoid buying or accepting gifts or loans of second-hand products listed as a past or current recall.

General features to check

Before buying or accepting a gift or loan of a second-hand product, always check that the product:

• comes with full instructions for assembly and use
• is sturdy and stable
• has all parts and works correctly
• has no tears, sharp edges or points
• has had no changes made that will make it unsafe (e.g. wrong size mattress in a cot)
• has no history of being in an accident or being damaged
• can be fixed, if necessary, by the original supplier.

Damaged second-hand goods

Consumers may think a broken second-hand product is a bargain because it can be repaired or modified so that it will work.  It is always wise to assign the original manufacturer or a specialist in the field to repair or modify a product. Repaired and modified second-hand products can also cause serious injury or death.