Second-hand shopping is booming, but thrifty Brits are being caught out with clothes that don’t fit, books with torn out pages, and missing parts
The nation’s love affair with buying second-hand shows no signs of slowing. New research has revealed that around nine in ten Brits (88%) have scoured the internet and rails on the high street for pre-loved bargains in a bid to save money (61%) and to give items a new lease of life (42%).
With Gen Zs parting with nearly £700 a year on average on thrifty finds, cementing their place as Britain’s most devoted pre-loved hunters, more than seven in ten (73%) shoppers overall are also spending up to four hours a week browsing online listings for deals. Books (41%), T-shirts (30%), jackets (27%), shoes, and home accessories (26%) are amongst some of the most sought-after spends.
However, even the most seasoned shoppers have their limits. Top fears of going used versus new include, receiving something that doesn’t work or is damaged beyond use (both 41%), not being able to get their money back from the seller, as well as hygiene worries from previous ownership (38%).
For some, these worries have materialised when caught up in the buzz of a bargain. In fact, when it comes to ‘second-hand fails’, a fifth have succumbed to clothes turning up in the wrong size (rising to 27% for women), received goods that were damaged (16%) or dirty (14%), or had missing parts (9%), whilst others have opened parcels to discover books with pages ripped out (7%).
In fact, nearly nine in ten (88%) Brits who have been enticed by the appeal of a pre-loved gem, say they’ve been unhappy with a purchase on up to ten occasions.
The latest research of 2,000 Brits was commissioned by The Motor Ombudsman as part of its safety push, ‘WORN-WARN’, urging drivers not to cut corners on tyres – after finding that nearly a third (31%) would consider buying part-worn tyres instead of new ones – a figure that rises to close to half (47%) amongst 25 to 34-year-olds.
Georgia Elizabeth, 25, and her partner Jonny, 28, have become expert second-hand shoppers after saving thousands by furnishing their house and buying everyday items pre-loved rather than new.
The couple, from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, moved into their new home last year and quickly realised they could kit it out without spending a fortune.
Overall, she has calculated that they saved around £8,000 by choosing second-hand items for their home, such as wardrobes, kitchen items and day-to-day essentials.
She said: “The truth is, there’s always so much stuff around. So many people are giving things away, either at a reduced cost or even for free, and someone else will often happily use them.”
Their second-hand habit now extends far beyond furniture. The couple regularly use online marketplaces and platforms to find clothes, shoes, homeware and items for special occasions.
Before a ski trip to the Alps, Jonny needed a ski jacket and salopettes, so they searched online and found a matching set which would have cost around £250 new.
It had been listed for £60, but after making a lower offer and initially hearing nothing back, the seller later sent them a counteroffer for just £1.
Georgia said: “I think they just wanted to get rid of it. It was a great bargain.
“We went skiing for about a week, we’ve still got it now and we’ve used it since.”
Jonny also buys everyday basics second-hand, including plain T-shirts and jeans, because he says it makes more sense than paying full price for clothes that will get worn out.
Georgia takes a similar approach to her own wardrobe. If she finds an item she likes in a shop, she notes the size, label and style, then searches for the same piece second-hand online.
She said: “I can’t justify paying £40 or £50 for a pair of jeans when I can find the same one for £10.
“You can go into six or seven shops, try things on, not like the colour and end up walking away with nothing. Online, if you set the filters properly, you can often find what you want instantly.
“It’s more time efficient, more productive and more eco-friendly buying second-hand. Not only am I getting something I need, but the person on the other side is making money too. I can’t see any reason why you wouldn’t do it.”
The couple have also found designer-style boots for under £30, barely worn shoes, premium cookware, second-hand tech, dog items and kitchen essentials.
Georgia says she now rarely buys anything brand new and believes it has been nearly two years since she last paid full price for something.
She said: “There are tonnes of clothes in landfill, so why add to that problem?
“There is definitely still a stigma around buying second-hand, and some people turn their nose up at it.
“But you can put clothes in the washing machine and they’re as good as new. It’s literally fine.”
Not every purchase has been a success. Georgia once bought a pair of second-hand dance shoes for £2 at a car boot sale, only to get home and discover the heels broke away in her hands.
She said: “It was like crumbling cheese. I only spent a few pounds, so I wasn’t too out of pocket, but it was bizarre.”
But for Georgia and Jonny, the occasional dud is worth it for the money they save and the pleasure of finding something useful.
Georgia added: “It’s a good feeling. It’s like accomplishing something.
“It gives you a thrill, because you’ve not broken the bank.”
A spokesperson for The Motor Ombudsman said: “With the on-going cost-of-living crisis and added pressures on household wallets, it’s no surprise that more Brits are looking for ways to save money, but not all second-hand buys are worth the risk. What might seem like a short-term saving, could come with hidden dangers, particularly for safety-critical items.
“If you are buying a higher ticket item, we’d always recommend doing your research and purchasing from a trusted retailer.”
To help steer shoppers up and down the country in the right direction when looking to bag a second-hand deal, The Motor Ombudsman has teamed up with thrift expert and influencer, Lola Amuah, to provide top tips for buyers.
“If you are buying a higher ticket item, we’d always recommend doing your research and purchasing from a trusted retailer.”
The Motor Ombudsman
Lola said: “Over the years I’ve picked up a few habits that make second‑hand shopping so much easier. My biggest rule is to always check the label, the material and the brand, which makes such a difference. Once you start recognising good‑quality fabrics, you can spot the better pieces really quickly.
“I also never stick to just the women’s section. Some of my best finds have been hiding in men’s, kids or even homeware. Oversized jumpers and jackets are almost always better in the men’s aisle.
“Before I buy anything, I look it over properly. Tiny stains, missing buttons or little holes are so easy to miss in the moment, and there’s nothing worse than getting home and spotting damage later.
“I’ve also learned not to expect one huge haul. Charity shops and car boots are completely random; some days there’s nothing, and then another day you’ll find loads within ten minutes. Going regularly is the trick.
“And finally, I always think about quality, not just price. Just because something is cheap, doesn’t mean it’s worth buying. I’d rather spend a little more on a lovely piece that I’ll use and keep.”
Lola’s top 5 things you should buy second-hand:
- Solid wood furniture “Honestly, some older furniture can be so much nicer than what you can buy brand-new nowadays. You can pick up some beautiful solid wood pieces for hardly anything, and they last forever.”
- Good quality clothes & coats “People get rid of amazing clothes all the time that have barely been worn. I’d much rather buy a really nice cut-price second-hand coat from a good brand than a cheap new one.”
- Cars “Buying new is not an option for some, so getting behind the wheel of a quality used car from a trusted, Motor Ombudsman-accredited retailer that has some miles on the clock already can prove a more affordable way of owning a car.”
- Books, games (e.g. console, computer, and board) & media (e.g. DVDs and CDs) “There’s not really much of a downside because they work exactly the same second-hand if in good condition, so it’s a no brainer to go second-hand with these.”
- Baby stuff “Babies outgrow things so fast that plenty of second-hand items are as good as new, plus some people get gifts they may not get round to ever using. With today’s cost of raising a child, it’s a great way to save money.”
Lola’s top 5 things to avoid second-hand:
- Really cheap fast fashion “A lot of it barely lasts when it’s brand-new anyway, so second-hand can already look really worn out after only a few washes.”
- Mattresses “I know people do buy them second-hand, but I personally just couldn’t. You don’t really know how old they are or what condition they’ve been kept in.”
- Safety gear “Things like helmets or car seats just aren’t worth the risk to me. Even if they look fine, you never know if they’ve been involved in an accident or have internal damage.”
- Part-worn tyres “This is one thing I’d rather not try to save money on. They might look okay on the surface, but you’ve no idea what they’ve been through before being taken off of someone else’s car.”
- Small electricals “Second-hand heaters, chargers and things like that just make me nervous. I’d rather pay a bit more and know they’re safe.”
For more information on The Motor Ombudsman, visit TheMotorOmbudsman.org.
The research was conducted by Clariti among a sample of 2,007 UK adults, which was nationally representative based on age, gender and region. The data was collected between 24/04/26 – 28/04/26. Clariti is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles.
