Pre-Owned, New Other or For Parts? What Our Condition Grades Actually Mean

"Refurbished." "Working." "Tested." "Spares or repair." On the used medical equipment market these words are used loosely, inconsistently, and sometimes deliberately vaguely. There is no industry standard behind any of them, which means the same phrase can describe a fully functional unit on one listing and a boxed paperweight on another.

We grade our stock in four categories and state plainly what each one means. Here is exactly what we mean by them, and — just as importantly — what we do not.

Pre-owned, tested working

The unit has been powered on and its core function checked. It shows normal signs of clinical use. Where we have verified a specific function, the listing names it — a current example is this breath alcohol tester, tested working, listed with the one thing it lacks (batteries) stated in the title.

What this does not mean: it does not mean the device has been calibrated, safety tested to your organisation's standard, or serviced. We do not hold manufacturer service software, calibration rigs or the single-use consumables that many devices need for a full functional test. Where a function could not be checked for that reason, we say so rather than implying it passed.

New (old stock) and New (other)

Never used, but not in current retail packaging. Typically ex-display, surplus from a facility that closed or re-equipped, or an opened box — like this tympanic ear thermometer, a new and complete kit, or a stadiometer attachment that was opened but never used.

The thing people miss: unused is not the same as unaffected by time. Batteries self-discharge and age on the shelf. Adhesive electrodes dry out. Sterile barriers have expiry dates that run whether the box was opened or not. For anything with a date on it, check the date — "new" and "in date" are separate questions.

Untested

We have not been able to power the unit on or verify its function. In almost every case this is because the item arrived without the specific power supply, hose, proprietary cable or sensor it needs, and that part is not something we hold.

Untested is not code for broken. It genuinely means unknown. But you should price and plan for it as though it might not work, because we cannot tell you that it does. If you have the missing part, an untested unit is often the best value on the site — this gait analysis walkway mat, supplied as the mat only and untested, is a live example. If you do not, you are taking a position on an unknown.

For parts or not working

There is a known fault, and the listing states it. If the unit displays an error code, we quote the code — for example, a control unit showing E01 is described as showing E01, not as "may need attention".

These are sold for spares, as donor units for a known-good board or panel — like this electrophoresis power supply sold not working, for parts — or to buyers with the service capability to diagnose and repair. They are not sold in the hope that they will work on arrival, and they should not be bought that way.

Why we do not use the word "refurbished"

Refurbished implies a defined process: stripped, worn parts replaced, reassembled, tested against a specification, and usually warranted. That is a real thing that real refurbishers do, and it costs real money, which is reflected in the price.

We do not do that. We source, inspect, photograph and grade honestly — and we price accordingly. Calling our stock refurbished would imply a level of intervention that has not happened. If you need a genuinely refurbished device with a service warranty behind it, buy from a refurbisher and expect to pay for it. If you want a clearly described used device at a used device price, that is what we sell.

What every one of our listings tells you

• Brand, model and part or reference number
• What is included — and, where it matters, what is not
• The condition grade, stated in the title as well as the description
• Condition notes in plain language, including faults and cosmetic damage
• Photographs of the exact unit you will receive — never stock images

If something is not stated, it is because we do not know it, not because we are leaving it out. Ask, and we will tell you what we can find out.

Before it goes into service

Whatever the grade, equipment is supplied for use by qualified professionals. Inspection, testing and any required servicing prior to clinical use are the buyer's responsibility. For anything that measures a physiological value, delivers a dose or reads radiation, budget for calibration against a known reference before it is used on a patient.

For a fuller walkthrough of what to check before you buy — accessories, consumables, batteries, licences and total cost of ownership — see our guide to buying used and refurbished medical equipment.