Used Lawn Mowers for Sale: A Bargain or a Snag?

Lawnmowers can become essential if you live in suburbs or rural parts of the USA. It is the soul of lawn maintenance. However, building a new lawn is not fun when you have to break the bank buying a new mower.

This is where used lawnmowers come into play. Not only will it save you money, but you’ll also know how it performs in different environments. This is of course, given your seller is being honest!

But is it wise to buy a used mower just because of a tight budget? If you’re looking for a logical argument, this is just the blog post for you!

Here’s the good and bad aspects of used lawnmowers with a buying guide to make your life easier!

Is a Used Lawn Mower Better Than a New One?

Technically, no. But realistically, it can be. It really depends on your budget, the condition of your lawn, the condition of the product you’re about to buy and so on.

Additionally, if you are mechanically inclined and the secondhand mower is a brand and year that you can still find parts for, go for it.

Additionally, if you are getting a good, used product with a warranty, go for it. Having a low budget helps in favor of that decision.

If budget is not a problem, buy a shiny brand-new mower. But if it can do its job properly, the new or used state doesn’t matter.

Used a second-hand mower but not satisfied? It may not be because that its used. The following sections will answer the facts determining used mower performance.

Read Also: What Does A Muffler Do On A Lawn Mower?

Is a Used Lawn Mower Worth it?

It has to start with the saying: “at the end of the day, its just a mower”. And this is true. So consider the following points in favor of buying a secondhand mower:

Cost-effectiveness

The most significant advantage of purchasing a used lawn mower is that it is much more affordable.

If you are on a tight budget, buying a used lawn mower is an excellent way to save money and still get the job done. Here’s the market price scenario of different mowers:

Type of Mowers	Price of New Model	Price of Used Model
Push mowers:	$100 to $500	$50 to $300 (depending on the age and condition of the machine)
Self-propelled mowers:	$300 to $1,500	$150 and $800 (depending on the age and condition of the machine)
Riding mowers:	$1,000 to $4,000	$500 and $2,500 (depending on the age and condition of the machine)

The cost of a new lawn mower differs by a margin depending on the brand, model, and features. Some new models even cost several hundred or even thousands of dollars. So you’re getting the used models for a fraction of the price.

Environment-friendly

Buying a used lawn mower definitely reduces the demand for new machines, which require the use of raw materials and energy. It also reduces carbon footprint.

Usage of secondhand mowers have a certain recycling approach to it. Which prevents more mechanical trash produced by junkyards each year.

Reduced Depreciation

This is a bit weird, but think about it! A brand-new lawn mower loses a significant amount of its value as soon as it is purchased.

But with a used lawn mower, the depreciation has already occurred. So you don’t have to worry about losing value as soon as you start using it. In a sense, you are getting more value for your money.

And if you keep your mower in a good condition, you might as well get a good resale value. With a new mower, the resale value will never match up to the cost.

Why Don’t People Interested of Buying a Used Lawn Mower?

There are also some potential drawbacks to buying a used lawn mower. These are discussed below:

Poor Condition

A used mower may not be in a good condition. The previous owner might not maintain it properly. This will cause issues that may be difficult or expensive to repair.

Such frequent fixes result in increased expenses. If this exceeds the amount you saved by buying a used mower, then what’s the point?

Be sure to inspect the mower thoroughly for any signs of wear and tear, such as rust, cracks, or missing parts.

Ask the seller about the maintenance history of the mower. Learn when it was last serviced, and if any parts were replaced. You should also check that the blades are sharp and that the engine runs smoothly.

Lack of Upgraded Technology

The used lawn mowers may not have the latest features or technology that you can find in a new lawn mower. This includes better fuel efficiency or quieter operation.

The age of the lawn mower is also important to consider. Although older models of Deere or Toro are stronger built, they lack modern specs.

Warranty

A used lawn mower may not come with a warranty. So, any repairs or replacements will be your responsibility.

Related Post: What Causes A Lawn Mower To Leak Oil?

A Guide to Buying Used Lawnmowers

Of course, research and inspection are the main when it comes to buying lawnmowers. However, it is the ‘how’ of it that makes the difference. Hopefully, the following section will relieve you of the brainwork of getting a new secondhand mower.

First Do Research

You need to identify what brand of second hand mower you want. If you dive deep, you will see that John Deere, Toro, Kawasaki, Honda and Kohler are some good brands that have strong mowers. They do well as second hand mowers.

Pay attention to any recurring themes or issues that are mentioned by multiple forum members. This can give you an idea of common problems or concerns with the lawnmower.

For example, the usual complaints with Kohler and Kawasaki mowers are their gasket getting blown off. However, JD delivers great performance overall.

Buying from an owner, get these questions ticked off:

Why are they selling it?

What uses did they put it into?

Where are the maintenance records?

If you can answer these properly, the secondhand mower should get more confidence from you. Here’s more of what you should do.

If it is a local mower it is worth trying to find out where the owner has service/repair work done. Oftentimes, a dealer has good insight into how the equipment has been treated.

Note: Whatever you do, don’t trust the reports of ‘Consumer Reports’. They are not what they used to be. Their business practices are terrible and their reviews are questionable now.

Selecting the Right Mower

Usually, the older units of JD, Toro and Kawasaki are very well made. You might as well get a secondhand Deere if you’ve been using a secondhand Kohler (more so if it’s the dreaded Kohler Courage). Because it has historically performed better.

You can tell a good old model of mower by its weight (incredibly heavy). After identification of the specific brand and model, start searching E-Bay and Craig’s List for parts.

If you don’t see many parts, that should be a clue. Avoid these mowers.

A warranty check is very important if you want to save your pocket from leaking all over mower maintenance. The best way to check for a warranty is either through the website or by calling customer service.

Dealerships however are cautious about warranting a secondhand mower. It is hard to distinguish if the harm to the mower was deliberate or not.

So you may not get warranted mowers for sale all that much. But even without a warranty, the mower parts are usually salvageable.

If it is a local mower, find out where the owner has service/repair work done. Oftentimes, a dealer has good insight into how the equipment has been treated (if they fixed things as soon as they broke or did they just try to keep the mower running with the least amount of maintenance possible?)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where can You buy a used lawnmower?

You can buy a used lawnmower from a variety of sources such as online marketplaces like eBay or Craigslist, local classified ads, garage sales, and second-hand stores.

How long does a used lawnmower last?

The lifespan of a used lawnmower can vary depending on several factors such as the brand, model, age, and condition. With proper maintenance and care, a used lawnmower can last for 10-12 years.

Related Posts:

Used Lawn Mowers for Sale: A Bargain or a Snag?

Is a Used Lawn Mower Better Than a New One?