Buying a Used Espresso Machine: What to Look For
Thinking about buying second-hand? Here's what to check before handing over your cash — from a bloke who's bought hundreds of them.
- buying guide
- tips
The second-hand espresso machine market in Australia is massive. Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and eBay are full of machines at every price point. Some are genuinely great deals. Others are ticking time bombs. Here's what I look for when I'm buying.
The Obvious Stuff
Ask for a video of the machine pulling a shot and steaming milk. If the seller can't or won't provide this, walk away. You want to see:
- Water flowing through the group head at reasonable pressure
- Steam wand producing proper, dry steam
- No leaks from the bottom, portafilter, or fittings
Check the Group Head
Pop off the portafilter and look up into the group head. You want to see a clean, even shower screen. Heavy brown/black buildup suggests the machine hasn't been maintained well. This isn't a dealbreaker (it's fixable), but factor in a service cost.
Water Tank and Drip Tray
Pull out the water tank. Is there green or white buildup? Green means algae (gross but cleanable). White means heavy scale, which suggests the internals are probably scaled too.
Age vs. Condition
A well-maintained 5-year-old Rancilio Silvia is a better buy than a neglected 2-year-old anything. Maintenance history matters more than age for most machines.
The Price Check
Don't pay more than 50–60% of the new price for a used machine unless it's been recently serviced. Factor in at least $80–150 for a proper service if it hasn't had one.
When In Doubt
Shoot me a message before you buy. I'm happy to take a look at photos or give you a rough idea of what a machine should cost and what to watch for. Better to ask before than bring me a lemon after.