A used console is a great way to start gaming for less, and it is also the purchase where a quick check pays off most. Use this list whether you buy from a shop, from a friend or from a stranger.
1. Look at the console
- Body: look for cracks, deep dents and signs of liquid. Slight scuffs are cosmetic.
- Vents: they should be free of thick dust and blockages. Heavy dust can mean a hot console.
- Ports: check the HDMI, USB, power and network ports for bent pins, loose connectors or burn marks. Wiggle a cable gently: it should not feel loose.
- Serial and model labels: they should be present and match the box, if there is one.
2. Power it on
Connect it to a TV you know works, with the original power cable if possible. It should start normally, show the setup screen or home screen and stay stable for several minutes. Listen to the fan: a little noise under load is normal, a constant loud whine or rattling is not.
3. Test the disc drive
Insert a game disc and see whether it is recognised, loads and ejects cleanly. Try a second disc if you can. Grinding, repeated ejecting or discs that are never recognised point to a tired or dirty drive. Digital-only PS5 models have no disc drive, so skip this step for them and check the model before you buy. A PS5 with a disc drive and a Digital Edition look different from the front.
4. Check storage and software
- Open the storage settings and confirm the capacity matches what you were told. Storage sizes differ between models.
- Check that system software updates install.
- Make sure the previous owner has signed out and that the console is not tied to their account. A console that is still linked to someone else's account can cause problems later, so ask them to deactivate it or reset it in front of you.
5. Test the controller and network
- Pair the controller, then test the sticks, triggers, all buttons and the charging port. Stick drift, where the cursor moves on its own, is a common wear problem.
- Connect to Wi-Fi or a network cable and confirm the console goes online.
6. Ask what is included
Confirm which cables, controllers and box contents come with it. A missing power cable or HDMI cable is easy to replace, but you should know before you pay. See how we describe what is included in used vs new: what to check.
Buying from a shop instead
A shop that inspects its stock does this work for you. At CyberGaming Lebanon every item is inspected before it is listed, listings show photos of the exact unit and what is in the box, and in local areas (Beirut, Baabda, Dbayeh and Metn coast, Jounieh and Keserwan coast, Beirut south (Choueifat to Khalde)) our courier lets you check the item at the door before you pay. In remote areas we inspect, photograph and seal the order at our hub first. Delivery starts at $5 in local areas and $6 elsewhere. See what is in the shop, and read PS4 or PS5: which should you buy?