eBay condition guide
eBay uses different names for the same condition in different categories. Here's what every used and refurbished grade means — and which ones Prelovu includes.
Prelovu always shows the exact condition text eBay displays for that category, so “Remanufactured” on a car part and “Seller Refurbished” on a laptop mean what eBay says they mean. We include every grade below and exclude New, Open box, New with defects and For parts or not working.
| Condition | Where you'll see it | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Refurbished | Electronics, appliances | Restored to like-new by the manufacturer or an eBay-approved refurbisher. Comes with a 2-year warranty through eBay Refurbished and minimal to no signs of wear. |
| Excellent – Refurbished | Phones, laptops, tablets, consoles | Professionally restored, works perfectly, and looks almost new — little or no visible wear. Includes a warranty through eBay Refurbished. |
| Very Good – Refurbished | Phones, laptops, tablets, consoles | Fully working and restored, with light signs of use like minor scratches visible on close inspection. |
| Good – Refurbished | Phones, laptops, tablets, consoles | Fully working and restored, with moderate cosmetic wear such as visible scratches or scuffs. |
| Seller Refurbished | Most categories | Restored to working order by the seller or a third party. Quality varies by seller, so check their feedback and the return policy. |
| Certified pre-owned | Cars & trucks | A used vehicle inspected and certified, often with an extended warranty from the manufacturer or dealer. |
| Remanufactured | Car & truck parts | A used part rebuilt to original specifications, usually with replaced wear components. Often sold with a core charge refunded when you return your old part. |
| Like New | Books, movies, music, games | Looks unused: no marks, creases or scratches. The disc or pages are pristine. |
| Graded | Trading cards | Professionally authenticated and graded (e.g. PSA, BGS, CGC) and sealed in a slab with a numeric grade. |
| Ungraded | Trading cards | A single card that has not been professionally graded. Check photos closely for corners, edges, surface and centering. |
| Pre-owned – Excellent | Clothing, shoes, accessories | Worn lightly with no visible flaws. |
| Used / Pre-owned – Good | Most categories | Has been used and shows normal wear but works fully. The most common used grade on eBay. |
| Pre-owned – Fair | Clothing, shoes, accessories | Clearly worn, with visible flaws such as fading, pilling or small marks, described in the listing. |
| Very Good | Books, media | Shows small signs of wear — a lightly creased spine, a sticker residue — but is complete and in great shape. |
| Good | Books, media | Average used condition: wear on covers or cases, possibly some notes or highlights, fully readable/playable. |
| Acceptable | Books, media | Heavily used but still usable. Expect significant wear; missing dust jackets or inserts are possible. |
Which grade should I buy?
Phones, laptops and tablets
Refurbished grades are the safest bet: the device has been tested, wiped and usually comes with a warranty. “Excellent – Refurbished” costs more than “Good – Refurbished” for cosmetic reasons only — if you'll use a case anyway, the cheaper grade is often the better value. Use the condition ladder on any search to see the price step between grades.
Clothing and sneakers
“Pre-owned – Excellent” is close to new. “Fair” can be a bargain for everyday wear, but read the description and zoom in on the photos.
Trading cards
A graded card's value depends heavily on the number. For ungraded cards, check all four corners and the back in the photos, and be wary of stock images.
Car parts
Remanufactured parts are rebuilt and usually carry a warranty; used parts are pulled from another vehicle. Watch out for core charges — the advertised price may exclude a deposit you only get back when you return your old part.
Tips for any grade
- Read the item description, not just the condition label — sellers must describe flaws there.
- Check the return policy. Many used items still come with 30-day returns.
- eBay Money Back Guarantee covers you if an item doesn't match its description. See our buying tips.