Condition grading · version 2
How grading works
A grade here is a set of measurements and a list of defects, not an adjective. Every listing keeps the exact record it was graded on, and an inspection adds a new record rather than changing the old one.
The tiers
Numbered with gaps so new tiers can be added without renumbering. A lower number is a better grade. The first two are only for verified shops and wholesalers.
| Tier | Means | Works at worst | Looks at worst | Who can use it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 Shop Certified – As New | New or unused, checked by a verified shop. No marks at arm’s length. | As new | Unmarked | Verified shops only |
| 1500 Shop Certified | Bench-tested by a verified shop. Strong measurements, light marks at most. | Strong | Light marks | Verified shops only |
| 2000 Excellent | Tested working with strong measurements. Light marks at most. | Strong | Light marks | Anyone |
| 3000 Very Good | Tested working. Marks you can see from a metre away. | Sound | Visible marks | Anyone |
| 4000 Good | Tested working. Heavy cosmetic wear, no cracks. | Sound | Heavy wear | Anyone |
| 5000 Fair | Tested working. Cracked trims or covers. | Sound | Cracked trim | Anyone |
| 6000 Worn – Working | Works, but something is near the end of its life. The measurements say what. | Worn, working | Cracked trim | Anyone |
| 7000 For parts / core | Not working, untested, or capped by a fault. Sold for rebuild or salvage. | Not working or untested | Cracked trim | Anyone |
How it looks
- UnmarkedNo marks visible at arm’s length (about 50 cm) in daylight.
- Light marksMarks visible at 50 cm, but not from 1 metre.
- Visible marksMarks visible from 1 metre. No cracks, dents or deformation.
- Heavy wearDeep scratches, gouges, coating loss or dents. No cracks.
- Cracked trimCracked or broken non-structural covers, trims or clips. A cracked housing on a sealed or load-bearing part is a functional fault, not a cosmetic one.
How it works
- As newNew, or unused. Every measurement in the top band.
- StrongTested working. Every measurement in the good band.
- SoundTested working. Some measurements in the fair band.
- Worn, workingTested working, but at least one measurement is in the replace-soon band or a fault limits it.
- Not working or untestedDoes not work, has a capping fault, or has not been tested.
A functional fault caps the grade however good the part looks.
What gets measured
Battery
- State of health (%). Remaining capacity compared with new, from the BMS, the maker’s app or a capacity test.
- How state of health was measured. A capacity test is the strongest evidence.
- Largest cell-group difference at full charge (mV) — optional. Optional. Under 30 mV is well balanced; over 80 mV needs balancing.
- Charge cycles — optional. Optional, if the BMS reports it.
Motor
- Distance on the motor (km). From the display or the controller’s stored total.
- Motor hours (h) — optional. Optional, if the diagnostic tool reports it.
- Stored error codes. Read them from the display or the maker’s diagnostic tool.
- Noise under load. Listen on a test ride or under load on a stand.
- Test. Untested motors are graded as parts or core.
Controller, display, remote or sensor
- Powers on. Connected to a working system of the same type.
- Pairing. Some systems lock parts to one bike. Say so if you know.
- Stored error codes. Read them from the display or the maker’s diagnostic tool.
Charger
- Measured output matches the label. Measure the no-load output voltage with a multimeter.
- Mains and output cables. A damaged or repaired mains cable cannot be listed.
Chain
- Chain checker reading. Use a 0.5 / 0.75 / 1.0 chain checker.
Cassette, freewheel or chainring
- Tooth wear. Look along the teeth from the side.
Brake rotor
- Measured thickness (mm). Thinnest point, measured with a micrometer or calipers.
- Minimum thickness printed on the rotor (mm). Usually stamped on the rotor, e.g. “MIN TH 1.5”.
- Trueness. Spin it on a hub or against a fixed point.
Brake pads
- Pad material remaining (mm). Friction material only, not the backing plate. Thinnest pad.
- Contaminated with oil or fluid. Contaminated pads cannot be trusted to stop.
Complete e-bike
- Kilometres ridden (km). The total on the display (often under “ODO” or in the settings menu).
- Battery state of health (%). Remaining capacity compared with new, from the maker’s app, a shop diagnostic tool or a capacity test.
- How battery health was measured. A shop diagnostic report is the strongest evidence a buyer can check.
- Battery charge cycles — optional. Optional, if the app or diagnostic tool reports it.
- Stored error codes. Read them from the display or the maker’s diagnostic tool.
- Test ride. Ride it through every assist level before you list it.
- Brakes. Squeeze each lever hard and look at the pads.
- Chain or belt. Use a chain checker; look along a belt for cracks and missing teeth.
Other part
- Function check. Say what you checked in the description.
Faults
| Fault | Effect | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Swollen, puffed or leaking cells | Never listable | A swollen lithium cell is a fire risk. It is never listable here, not even as core. |
| Battery case cracked open, burnt or crash-damaged | Never listable | A breached or heat-damaged pack cannot be diagnosed safely. |
| Battery management system missing or not working | Never listable | A pack without a working BMS has no protection against over-charge or short circuit. |
| Serial number removed, ground off or defaced | Never listable | A removed serial is the commonest sign of a stolen part. |
| Subject to a product recall | Never listable | Recalled products cannot be resold. |
| Signs of water inside | Graded no better than 7000 For parts / core | Corrosion spreads after the part is sold. |
| Cracked housing on a sealed or load-bearing part | Graded no better than 7000 For parts / core | The seal or the strength is gone. |
| Firmware locked, or paired to another bike | Graded no better than 7000 For parts / core | It will not work on the buyer’s bike without the original. |
| Stripped or damaged threads | Graded no better than 6000 Worn – Working | Repairable, but it must be said. |
| Play in the bearings | Graded no better than 6000 Worn – Working | Works, but needs bearings. |
| Cracked frame, fork or dropout | Graded no better than 7000 For parts / core | A cracked frame or fork can fail while riding. Sold for parts only, never to ride. |
| Cells replaced with non-original cells | Graded no better than 6000 Worn – Working | A rebuilt pack is a different pack. The buyer must know. |
| Battery state of health below 80% | Graded no better than 7000 For parts / core | Below 80% a pack is at the end of its useful life. |
| An active error code | Graded no better than 7000 For parts / core | Something is wrong now. |
| Untested | Graded no better than 7000 For parts / core | Nobody knows whether it works. |
Describing defects
- Every mark from “Light marks” upwards is listed as its own defect: where it is, what it is, how big.
- Every fault you tick is listed as its own defect, saying what you found.
- A “Worn – Working” item says which part is worn and by how much.
- A “For parts / core” item says what does not work, or that it was not tested.
- Every defect has at least one close-up photo of that defect.
- Stock or catalogue photos are not allowed. Photograph the actual item.
Not accepted on their own: “minor wear”, “normal wear”, “general wear”, “signs of use”, “used condition”, “wear and tear”, “some scratches”, “minor scratches”, “cosmetic marks”, “preloved”, “pre-loved”, “second hand”, “as pictured”, “see photos”, “see pics”, “good condition”, “as is”. Under the Australian Consumer Law a business must identify and describe each defect; “second hand” is not enough.
Inspections
A seller grades their own item so it can go live straight away. When we or a partner shop inspect it, the inspection’s grade replaces the seller’s and the price moves down 8% for every tier it drops. Both records stay on the listing.