Buying Used LEGO® Sets: The Complete Guide for Collectors

Used LEGO® sets are interesting for anyone who enjoys building, collecting or looking for a set that is no longer available new. From older LEGO® Star Wars models and modular buildings to vintage LEGO® and complete sets from your childhood: on the second-hand market, you will encounter models from decades of LEGO® history.

But what should you look out for when buying used LEGO®? When is a set complete, how much difference does the original box make and how do you assess its condition? In this comprehensive guide, we explain what makes used LEGO® interesting and what you should look out for as a buyer or collector.

Why are used LEGO® sets so popular?

One important advantage of used LEGO® is that you are not limited to the range that LEGO® currently produces. Once a set goes out of production, it may eventually only be available through existing stock or the second-hand market. As a result, used LEGO® opens up a much wider selection of older themes, models and versions.

Nostalgia also plays a major role for collectors. Perhaps you are looking for the LEGO® train you had as a child, want to find an old LEGO® Castle set again or are trying to complete a collection from a particular theme. With used LEGO®, you can collect sets from different generations side by side.

In addition, LEGO® does not have to be new and sealed to provide plenty of building enjoyment. If you mainly want to build or display a model, a used set can be an excellent choice. For this, view the current selection of used LEGO® at De BrickPlaats.

Which used LEGO® sets are interesting to collectors?

There is no single list of used LEGO® sets that is most interesting to every collector. Which sets are sought after depends on factors including the theme, the set's age, availability, the minifigures included and, of course, personal preference.

Retired LEGO® sets

When a LEGO® set is no longer produced, it is often referred to as retired. Some of these models remain readily available, while others become increasingly difficult to find over time. Collectors who want to complete a particular series therefore regularly look for used retired sets.

Vintage LEGO®

Older themes have a special appeal for many collectors. Think of classic LEGO® Town, Castle, Space, Pirates, Train, Fabuland and older LEGOLAND sets. Their look, parts and building style can differ significantly from those of modern LEGO® sets.

Are you specifically looking for these older models? Then also take a look at our collection of Vintage LEGO® sets.

LEGO® sets with popular licenses

Themes such as LEGO® Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel, and other well-known film and entertainment licenses are interesting because collectors often specifically look for characters, vehicles, and locations from their favorite fictional worlds. An older set may include minifigures or versions that were never released again later.

Modular buildings and large display sets

Larger LEGO® sets are also widely collected. Modular buildings, extensive vehicles, large spaceships, and other display models are often part of a longer series. If you start such a collection later, used LEGO® may be necessary to find older models.

What should you look out for when buying used LEGO®?

Not every used LEGO® set is in the same condition. That is why it is important to look beyond just the set name and price. Always check the product description and exactly what is included.

1. Is the LEGO® set complete?

For many buyers, completeness is the most important consideration. Check whether the parts needed to build the model are included, and pay extra attention to minifigures, accessories, stickers, and special parts.

A missing standard brick is usually easier to replace than an exclusive minifigure or a part that appears in only a few sets. At De BrickPlaats, we provide relevant information about the condition and contents of used products in the product description. Therefore, always read it carefully before buying a set.

2. What condition are the bricks in?

LEGO® is made to be rebuilt often, so normal signs of use may occur in a used set. These may include light scratches, dust, or minor color differences.

Older sets may also show discoloration, especially certain light colors that have been exposed to sunlight for a long time. For collectors, condition may matter more than for someone who mainly wants to rebuild the set.

3. Are the minifigures included?

When buying sets with minifigures, always check which characters are included. Minifigures can be an important part of a LEGO® set, and some versions appear in only a limited number of sets.

Are you mainly looking for individual figures to complete a set or collection? Then also view our collection of LEGO® minifigures.

4. Are the instructions included?

Original building instructions are a valuable addition for many collectors, but they are not necessary to rebuild a LEGO® set. LEGO® has digital instructions available for many sets, and online databases can also help you find set information.

If you want to put together a collection that is as original as possible, physical instructions may be important. Therefore, check each product to see whether the original booklet is included.

5. Is the original LEGO® box included?

The original box is mainly of interest to collectors who want to preserve a set as completely as possible. For someone who only wants to build or display the set, a box is often less important.

A used LEGO® set without a box can therefore still be complete in terms of the actual buildable model. Always check the product description to see whether the original packaging is included with the product being offered.

How is the value of used LEGO® determined?

The value of a used LEGO® set is not determined by one factor alone. The set number, availability, completeness, condition, included minifigures, instructions, and packaging can all influence what buyers are willing to pay for a particular set.

Supply and demand also play a role. A set that is difficult to find is not automatically valuable if there is little demand for it. Conversely, a popular model from a beloved theme can remain interesting to collectors even without its original packaging.

Historical sales data can help provide an indication of the market, but should not be treated as a fixed valuation. After all, the condition and contents of two used examples of the same LEGO® set can differ considerably.

Is used LEGO® cheaper than new LEGO®?

It can, but not always. A used set that is still readily available new may be more attractively priced because the packaging has been opened. Older or retired LEGO® sets work differently: scarcity and demand can mean that a used set costs more than its original retail price.

That is why you should not look only at the difference between new and used. Above all, consider what matters to you. Do you want to build the set? Then an opened package or minor signs of use may not matter much. If you collect sets as completely and originally as possible, the box, instructions, and condition may carry much more weight.

Buying used LEGO® from De BrickPlaats

At De BrickPlaats, you can buy used LEGO® directly through our webshop. Our selection is constantly changing as LEGO® is purchased, checked, and offered again. This means that one time you may find recently used sets, while another time you may come across retired, vintage, or special collector's sets.

You will find information about the condition and included items with each product. For example, a used set may be offered with or without the original box or instructions. Any details that are important for your purchase can be found with the product.

View the current selection in our used LEGO® sets collection. Because many used products are available only once, the selection can change quickly.

Looking for a specific older LEGO® set

One of the fun—and sometimes challenging—aspects of collecting used LEGO® is that you never know exactly when a particular set will become available again. Older or less common sets may be absent from our range for a long time.

Are you specifically looking for a LEGO® set, minifigure, or part that is currently unavailable? Use the LEGO® Wishlist from De BrickPlaats. Enter the LEGO® ID of the product you want and you can receive a notification when a suitable product becomes available online.

Always check the product description when you receive a notification. The Wishlist is linked to the LEGO® ID, not the condition. A product may therefore be new and sealed, used, built, sold as-is, or from the bargain section, for example.

Cleaning and maintaining used LEGO®

Have you bought a used LEGO® set and would like to clean it yourself? Handle the parts with care. For standard LEGO® bricks, hand-cleaning with lukewarm water and a small amount of mild soap is a safe approach. Avoid high temperatures and take extra care with parts that have stickers or prints.

Allow washed parts to air-dry completely before rebuilding or storing the set. Electronic parts, motors, and lighting should of course not be submerged in water.

For a detailed step-by-step explanation, you can also check out our guide to cleaning LEGO®.

Common mistakes when buying used LEGO®

A low price alone says little about how interesting a used LEGO® set actually is. Therefore, always check exactly what you are buying. For example, a set without important minifigures may be less appealing than a slightly more expensive but more complete example.

Also, don’t focus only on the bricks themselves. The condition of stickers, printed parts, minifigures and instructions can be particularly important to collectors. Examine the photos carefully and read the full product description.

Another mistake is assuming that every older LEGO® set is automatically rare or valuable. Age plays a role, but ultimately availability, demand, theme, condition and completeness are at least as important.

Used LEGO® for building and collecting

Used LEGO® is not only interesting because of its collectible value. For many LEGO® enthusiasts, rebuilding an older set is the best part. You can rediscover a model from your childhood, add a missing set to a theme or build a retired model for the first time that is no longer produced new.

This makes second-hand LEGO® suitable for different types of buyers: children who mainly want to build and play, adult LEGO® fans, collectors who want to complete a series and gift buyers looking for a specific set.

Would you like to see which sets are currently available? View all LEGO® sets or go directly to the current selection of used LEGO® at De BrickPlaats.

Conclusion: what should you look for when buying used LEGO®?

Used LEGO® sets give you access to much more than just the current range. They let you find retired models, older themes, special minifigures and sets from different periods. That is precisely what makes second-hand LEGO® interesting for both builders and collectors.

When making a purchase, pay particular attention to completeness, condition, minifigures, instructions and any original packaging. Then determine which of these aspects matter to you. After all, someone who mainly wants to build has different requirements from a collector looking for a set that is as original as possible.

At De BrickPlaats, you’ll find a changing selection of used LEGO® that you can view directly through our webshop. This lets you take your time checking each product’s condition and contents and searching for the next set for your collection.