Buying a second-hand lawn mower

Mowers are built to work hard, and a good one that's been looked after can keep going for many years. That makes the second-hand market tempting: plenty of perfectly good mowers change hands when people move to apartments, upgrade to battery or ride-on machines, or clear out a deceased estate. But a used mower can also be a box of problems with a fresh coat of paint. This guide walks you through what to look at, listen for and ask about.

Before you go

Decide what type of mower you want before you start browsing: petrol walk-behind, battery, corded electric or ride-on. Our petrol vs battery guide and ride-on guide can help.

Then do some homework on the specific model:

• Look up the manual online, so you know what parts it should have and how it starts.
• Check whether replacement blades, catchers and batteries are still easy to get.
• Search the model on the Product Safety Australia recalls site.
• Get a feel for what similar mowers are listed for, so you know whether the asking price is reasonable.

When you contact the seller, ask them not to run the mower before you arrive. You want to see a cold start.

Your rights when buying second-hand

The ACCC explains that the consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law generally apply when you buy from a business, including second-hand goods, though age, price and condition are relevant to what's acceptable. Most guarantees don't apply to one-off private sales between individuals, such as many online marketplace or garage sale purchases. That's why a careful inspection matters so much on private sales.

Inspecting a petrol walk-behind mower

First look

Walk around the mower and look at the overall condition. Light surface scratches are normal. Heavy rust, cracks or welds on the deck, loose or missing bolts, and a wobbly handle suggest a hard life. Check that the grass catcher is included and isn't torn, and that the rear flap and other guards are present.

Engine oil and fuel

With the mower on flat ground, check the oil on the dipstick. Clean oil at the right level is a good sign. Very dark, sludgy or low oil suggests skipped servicing. Milky oil can indicate water contamination. Look in the fuel tank for water, rust or stale fuel smells.

Starting

A healthy four-stroke petrol mower should start within a few pulls from cold, using the choke or primer as the manual describes. Watch out for:

• many pulls with no sign of life;
• the engine starting then dying immediately;
• a pull cord that's very stiff, jerky or doesn't retract properly.

Running

Once running, listen and watch:

• The engine should settle into a steady note, without surging up and down.
• A brief puff of smoke on start-up can be normal, but continuous blue smoke can mean burning oil, and lots of black smoke can point to a fuel or air problem.
• Strong vibration through the handle may mean a bent blade or crankshaft, which can be expensive.
• Engage the self-propel drive if it has one, and check it pulls evenly.

Blade and deck

Stop the engine, wait for the blade to stop completely and disconnect the spark plug lead before tipping or inspecting the underside, as the manual instructs. Look for:

• a blade that's straight, securely bolted and not cracked, badly chipped or worn thin;
• heavy caked grass and rust holes under the deck;
• signs the blade has hit something hard, like gouges in the deck.

A blunt blade isn't a deal-breaker, as blades can be sharpened or replaced, but a bent crankshaft is. See our blade sharpening guide.

Wheels and height adjustment

Spin each wheel. Wobbly wheels or worn bearings can be replaced, but add to the cost. Try every cutting height setting and make sure the levers lock firmly.

Inspecting a battery mower

The battery is the heart of a cordless mower, and often the most expensive part to replace. Ask:

• How old is the battery? Is it the original?
• Has it ever been dropped, wet or damaged?
• Is the charger the original, or a compatible one for that battery?

Inspect the battery carefully. Fire and Rescue NSW advises stopping use of batteries that are swollen, leaking, cracked, dented or overheating. Don't buy a battery showing any of these signs, and be cautious about unbranded replacement batteries and chargers.

If possible, ask the seller to fully charge the battery before you visit, then run the mower long enough to get a feel for its run time. Check that the motor starts promptly, runs smoothly and that safety keys and switches work.

Inspecting a ride-on mower

Ride-ons have more to go wrong. In addition to the engine and deck checks above:

• Test the brakes and the parking brake on gentle slopes.
• Check the steering for excessive play.
• Engage and disengage the blades, and check they stop promptly.
• Confirm the seat switch stops the blades when you lift off the seat. Never buy one where safety switches have been bypassed.
• Look for bent or repaired rollover protection, damaged bodywork or a twisted deck, which could indicate a past rollover.
• Inspect belts for cracks and fraying, and tyres for splits.
• Check the starter battery and charging system.

If you're not confident assessing a ride-on, consider paying a mower mechanic to inspect it.

Paperwork and provenance

Ask whether the seller has the receipt, manual or service records. Records of regular servicing are a strong positive. Check that the serial number plate is present and readable. Be wary of a seller who wants to meet somewhere other than their home, can't tell you anything about the mower, or is offering a near-new machine well below the going rate.

Negotiating

Use what you've found to negotiate fairly. A blunt blade, a missing catcher, a worn air filter or an overdue service are all cheap fixes but reasonable points to raise. A tired battery or engine problems are more serious. If something doesn't feel right, walk away: there are plenty of mowers for sale.

After you buy

Give your new-to-you mower a fresh start:

• For petrol: change the oil, clean or replace the air filter, check the spark plug, drain any stale fuel and refill with fresh fuel. See servicing a petrol mower.
• Sharpen or replace the blade, and balance it.
• Clean out the underside of the deck.
• For battery: charge using the correct charger, following safe charging practices.
• Read the manual, and set the cutting height to suit your grass using our mowing heights guide.

Quick checklist

Key points

• Ask to see the mower start from cold, and listen for smooth running.
• Inspect the blade, deck, oil and wheels with the spark plug lead or battery removed.
• On battery mowers, the battery's age and condition matter most.
• On ride-ons, test the brakes, steering and safety switches.
• Check for recalls, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.