Final checklist & price playbook
Tick each item as you test — progress saves automatically in this browser, so you can use it live at the seller's. Every item has a Guide ↗ link to the exact how-to. Then scan the deal-breaker red flags and use your findings to negotiate.
Time it realistically: a full, careful test is about 60–75 minutes the first time (faster once you've done it). Short on time? Use the Quick essentials (≈ 25–30 min) or the 3-minute deal-breaker scan. Remember to download the tools at home first (~15 min, one-time).
Your inspection progress
0 / 0 checks · 0%The timer starts automatically when you tick your first item. Progress & time save on this device — close and come back anytime.
🚩 Deal-breaker red flags
Any one of these means walk away — or only buy at a steep, eyes-open discount.
Locked, managed or stolen
BIOS/supervisor password you don't have; still company-managed (Azure AD / domain / MDM) or Computrace/Absolute active; account/activation lock; BitLocker with no recovery key; tampered serial; or an invalid warranty lookup.
Liquid / swelling
Corrosion, a chemical smell, tripped liquid-damage indicators, or a swollen battery bulging the case (a genuine fire risk).
Failing drive
CrystalDiskInfo "Caution/Bad", reallocated or pending sectors above zero, or constant 100% disk usage at idle.
Won't cool down
Pegged at ~100 °C with clocks collapsing under load, a dead fan, or shutdowns from overheating.
Cracked or dying screen
Cracks, large dead-pixel clusters, lines across the panel, heavy flicker, or a screen that won't get bright.
Seller won't let you test
Rushing you, refusing checks, "it works trust me", cash-only with no meet-up — the biggest red flag of all.
💰 Turn findings into a fair price
Every documented flaw is leverage. Here's how to use what you found.
- Know the going rate first. Search the exact model + condition on a couple of marketplaces so you have a baseline before you meet.
- Price the fixes. Battery ≈ replacement cost, worn SSD ≈ a new drive, clogged cooling ≈ a service. Subtract real repair costs from your offer, calmly and specifically.
- Lead with facts, not feelings. "The battery report shows 64% health and CrystalDiskInfo shows 78% drive life" is far more persuasive than "it seems old".
- Bundle the small stuff. A faded keyboard + missing charger + minor dent together justify a meaningful reduction even if none matters alone.
- Confirm what's included. Original charger, box, and any warranty add real value — or are bargaining chips if missing.
- Pay safely. Meet in public, prefer traceable payment, and get a simple receipt with the serial number, date, and both names.
- Be ready to walk. Your best leverage is genuinely being willing to leave. There's always another laptop.
Pack this kit before you go: phone with this guide open · USB stick loaded with CrystalDiskInfo, BatteryInfoView, HWiNFO & CPU-Z (the one-time ~15-min download) · the laptop's charger · phone hotspot · a USB stick/earphones for port tests · and a small torch for inspecting ports and corners.