How to sell LEGO sets for cash in the UK

LEGO is one of the few toys that keeps a real second-hand market for decades. Kids grow out of it, adults run out of shelf space, and lofts fill up with storage boxes of bricks. If that's you, there's very likely cash sitting in those tubs. The trick is knowing what you've got and choosing a way to sell that doesn't eat your weekends.

What makes LEGO worth more

• Completeness. A complete set with all its pieces, minifigures and instructions is worth noticeably more than the same set with bits missing.
• Sealed boxes. A new, sealed set — especially one that's been retired — is the most desirable form of all. Keep the box out of sunlight and avoid crushed corners.
• Themes and licences. Star Wars, Technic, Creator Expert/Icons, modular buildings and Harry Potter tend to be popular. Retired sets in these themes can be especially sought after.
• Minifigures. Certain minifigures are collectable in their own right. If you have rare figures, keep them with their set or note which are present.
• Condition. Yellowed white bricks, bite marks, sticker damage and cracked pieces all lower value.

How to work out what you've got

Start by finding set numbers. They're on the box, the front of the instruction booklet, and sometimes printed on a key part. LEGO's own website lists instructions for most sets back many years, and community databases such as BrickLink and Brickset let you look up a set by number and see its full inventory and minifigures.

If you only have loose bricks, sort out anything that obviously belongs together — a distinctive vehicle, a building, a ship — and see if you can identify the set from pictures. A partly rebuilt set is often easier to sell than a mixed tub.

Checking a set is complete

Honestly, this is the bit that puts most people off. Checking a large set piece by piece can take hours. Some practical shortcuts:

1. Rebuild it. If it builds fully from the instructions, it's complete or very nearly.
2. Check the minifigures and any printed or unusual parts first — those are what buyers care about most.
3. If a few common bricks are missing, say so. "Complete apart from a handful of common pieces" is far better than a surprise.

Your options for selling LEGO

Selling sets individually online

Individual listings on eBay or specialist brick marketplaces can work well for sought-after sets, but each one needs photos, a description, questions answered and careful packing. Bulk lots of loose bricks often sell by weight, which is quick but rarely exciting.

A car boot sale

Fine for clearing a tub of mixed bricks quickly, but you'll be haggled down and buyers rarely pay for completeness they can't check on the spot. See our comparison of a car boot sale vs selling online.

A fixed offer you can accept in minutes

With SendForCash, describe the set — the number, whether it's built or boxed, complete or not, and whether minifigures and instructions are included — and get an instant cash offer. Accept it and we send you a free postage label. We pay the same day we inspect, by bank transfer or PayPal. If something isn't quite as described, we explain and offer a revised price, or send your LEGO back free.

Packing LEGO for posting

• Built models: take them apart into the main sub-assemblies and bag them. Fully built models rarely survive the post.
• Bag minifigures separately so they don't get lost.
• Instructions go flat in a plastic sleeve so they don't crease or get damp.
• Sealed sets: use a bigger box with padding all round to protect the original box corners.

More tips are in our guide on how to package items for posting.

FAQ

Do you buy loose LEGO bricks?

We make offers on any working, postable item, including LEGO. Complete, identifiable sets are easiest to value, but describe what you have and you'll get an instant answer. Our minimum offer is £15.

Should I clean LEGO before selling?

A gentle wash in lukewarm water with a little washing-up liquid, then air-drying on a towel, makes dusty bricks much more appealing. Never use hot water or a dishwasher — it can warp parts. Don't wash stickered pieces or electronic parts.

Does it matter if the box is missing?

Not for used sets. A box adds value for sealed or near-mint sets; for played-with LEGO, completeness and minifigures matter far more.

What about LEGO Technic with motors?

Powered Up and Power Functions motors and hubs are welcome as long as they work. Remove the batteries before posting.