Is It Safe to Buy a Used Washing Machine? 7 Checks

So, is a used washer safe to buy?

Yes, it can be, as long as you treat the label on the machine as seriously as the price tag. A used washer is safe enough when it is not under an open recall, runs a full cycle without leaking or smoking, and is not so old that it wastes more in water and power than you saved at the register.

Before you pay for a used washer: read the model label, run a full cycle, and look at the water bill, not just the price.

The rest of this guide walks through seven checks, in the order you would do them with the machine in front of you.

1. What is the model number, and has it been recalled?

Every washer carries a label with its model and serial number. On top-loaders it is often inside the lid or on the back of the machine. Take a photo of it before you do anything else.

Why it matters: in December 2022, Samsung announced a recall of about 663,500 top-load washers with a "super speed wash" feature. According to Fox Business's report of the recall, the machines could short-circuit and overheat, creating a fire hazard. Samsung had received 51 reports of smoking, melting, overheating or fire, ten involving property damage, and three people reported smoke inhalation. The affected series were WA49B, WA50B, WA51A, WA52A, WA54A and WA55A, sold between June 2021 and December 2022. The fix was a software update, delivered automatically to connected machines or by a free dongle for the rest.

That is one recall, not a verdict on any brand. The point is that a used machine may have been sold without its owner ever seeing the notice. Search the exact model number on the Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall list (cpsc.gov) before you hand over money, and our 5-minute recall test shows how.

2. Does it complete a full cycle?

Ask to see it run a whole cycle, not just a rinse. While it runs, watch for these:

1. Water on the floor, behind the machine or under the door seal.
2. Loud banging or grinding, especially during the spin.
3. A burning smell, smoke or scorch marks near the control panel. Walk away from the sale if you see any of these.
4. Clothes that come out still dripping, which can point to a drain or spin problem.

If the seller cannot let you test it, treat the price as a gamble and lower your offer or pass.

3. How does the door seal, drum and hose connection look?

A short look tells you a lot. On a front-loader, pull back the rubber door seal and check for black mold or a sour smell. ENERGY STAR advises leaving a front-loader's door ajar for an hour or two after use to prevent mold, so a machine that was kept shut may show it. Look inside the drum for rust spots, and check the power cord for cracks or exposed wire. Used machines often come without hoses, so plan on buying new ones.

4. What will it cost to run?

This is the check most buyers skip. ENERGY STAR says certified clothes washers use about 20% less energy and about 30% less water than regular washers, and that a full-size certified washer uses about 14 gallons per load against about 20 for a standard machine.

Here is what that gap looks like in simple arithmetic (our example, not an ENERGY STAR figure): six gallons saved per load, across five loads a week, is about 1,560 gallons a year.

ENERGY STAR also says front-load certified washers use about 50% less energy and water than top-load agitator washers. And the page notes that heating water accounts for about 90% of a washer's energy use, so washing in cold water cuts the running cost on any machine.

5. How old is it?

Look at the serial number or the manufacturer's date label. Age is not a defect, but an older machine is less likely to be efficient and has had more years to wear out its seals, bearings and pump. If the machine is more than a few years old, price it as something that may need a repair soon, and ask the seller if anything has been fixed.

6. Will it fit, and can you get it home?

Measure the doorway, the hallway and the spot at home. Check whether the machine is front-load or top-load, whether your hookups match, and whether you need help carrying it: a washer is heavy and awkward. Ask whether the transit bolts or shipping hardware are included, since a drum that is not secured can be damaged on the drive.

7. What happens if it fails?

Ask about returns, a warranty, or at least a written description of condition. For anything you buy here, our FAQ explains how pickup, payment and returns work. If you are bidding in an auction, set your top price before you start, using the auction guide.

The bottom line

A used washer is worth buying when the label checks out against the recall list, the full cycle runs clean, and the running cost does not eat your saving. Take the photo of the label, run the cycle, and walk away from a machine that smells of burning.

Browse what is available now on Buy Now or in the auctions, and if you are shopping for another big appliance, read the fridge age check and the dryer vent check too.

Know someone setting up a first apartment in DC, Maryland or Virginia? Send them this checklist.