Used refrigerators turn up constantly around San Diego. Military families on orders sell them rather than ship them, landlords replace them between tenants, and remodels in older neighborhoods put perfectly good units on the curb. Some are bargains. Others are someone else's ongoing problem. The difference is usually visible if you know what to look at, and you should insist on seeing it plugged in and cold.
The inspection table
Bring a flashlight, a thermometer and your phone. The right-hand column lists findings that should end the conversation.
| Check | How | Walk away if |
|---|---|---|
| Model and serial label | Usually on the inside wall or ceiling of the fresh-food section; photograph it | The label is missing or unreadable |
| Age | Search the serial number format for that brand; many encode the manufacture year | It's much older than the seller claims |
| Recall status | Search the brand and model at cpsc.gov/Recalls | There's an open recall and no record of the remedy |
| Running temperature | Ask the seller to have it plugged in for a day; put a thermometer in each section | Fridge above 40°F or freezer above 0°F after it has had time to cool |
| Compressor | Listen at the back; it should hum steadily without loud clicks | Repeated clicking, a loud knock or silence when it should be running |
| Door seals | Close each door on a sheet of paper at several points | Tears, gaps or a door that won't close on its own |
| Interior | Look at the walls, shelves and drawers | Cracked liner, broken shelf supports or mold under the gaskets |
| Smell | Open each door and the freezer | A persistent sour or chemical smell after cleaning |
| Frost pattern | Look at the back wall of the freezer | Heavy frost on one area, which can point to a defrost problem |
| Water and ice | Check the dispenser, ice maker and water filter | Leaks, cracks in the water line or a filter housing that drips |
| Coils | Flashlight at the back or behind the bottom grille | Corroded or crushed coils, common on units from beach-area homes |
Why the recall check matters
Refrigerators are occasionally recalled for electrical, fire or entrapment hazards, and a secondhand unit may never have received the fix. The recall search walk-through explains how to look up a model at the CPSC and on the manufacturer's site. If a recall remedy hasn't been done, contact the manufacturer before using the appliance.
Moving it home without damage
How you move a used fridge matters almost as much as which one you buy. Manufacturers generally recommend keeping refrigerators upright during moves. LG, for example, says to always keep the refrigerator upright when moving it. If it has to travel on its side, follow the manufacturer's instructions about how long to let it stand upright before plugging it in, so oil can drain back into the compressor.
- Tape the doors shut and remove loose shelves and drawers.
- Protect the door handles and front panel from scratches.
- Measure doorways and the space where it will go, including height under cabinets and clearance for the door to swing.
Price it against the age
A refrigerator that's only a few years old and holds temperature well can be a real bargain. One that's well into its second decade may still run, but it's closer to the point where a failed compressor or sealed-system leak isn't worth fixing, and older units often use noticeably more electricity than current models. Factor in delivery, a new water filter and a water line if the old one is brittle. If the asking price is close to a new entry-level model, the used unit needs to be clearly better built to justify it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Why are you selling it?
- Has it ever been repaired, and if so, what was replaced?
- Was it kept indoors or in a garage?
- Do you have the manual or the original receipt?
- Has the water filter been replaced recently?
A unit that lived in a hot garage for years may have worked harder than one kept in a kitchen. That doesn't rule it out, but it's worth factoring into the price.
After you get it home
Let it stand upright for the time the manufacturer recommends, then plug it in and give it 24 hours to reach temperature before loading food. Replace the water filter, flush the water line and throw out the first couple of batches of ice. If temperatures still aren't right after a day, or you hear unfamiliar noises, our fridge repair team can diagnose it and give you a written estimate, so you know whether it's worth fixing. We work on most major brands, including Samsung and LG.
Bought a washer or dryer from the same seller? The used laundry pair inspection covers those.