What is the exact model?
Use the full model number to find year, display technology, resolution and ports. Check advert, settings and label all identify the same model.
Productcheck 06
Buying a used
television .
A TV may look perfect during a colourful demo while hiding dark bands, OLED burn-in or a faulty HDMI port. Check picture, sound and smart features before paying.
01Solid test imagereveals panel faults
✓Every porttest separately
Take your timeLet the television run for at least ten minutes
Bring alongUSB drive, HDMI cable and a familiar video source
Pay particular attention toBurn-in, dark bands, pixels and connections
Before you leave
Ask these questions first.
Ask for the full model number and a photo of the rear label. Screen size and '4K smart TV' alone reveal too little about age and version.
How has the TV been used?
Ask about daily hours and frequent viewing of the same channel, game or news ticker. Long-lasting static images particularly matter for OLED burn-in.
Has it had faults?
Ask about repairs, shutdowns, flickering, lines, slow picture startup and Wi-Fi or app problems. Ask why it is being sold too.
What comes with it?
Check original remote, stand or feet, power lead and screws. Ask for the receipt and agree whether a wall bracket is included.
The most expensive component
The display panel
check these first.
Panel damage is usually uneconomical to repair. Test plain backgrounds and dark scenes as well as bright nature footage.
Use solid backgrounds
View white, mid-grey, black, red, green and blue full-screen. Look for fixed logos or shadows, dead or bright pixels, discolouration, marks and vertical or horizontal bands.
Recognise OLED burn-in
OLED may retain permanent logos, scoreboards or menu bars, especially visible on red and mid-grey. Temporary retention can fade; do not buy on a promise that permanent marks will disappear.
View LCD and LED in darkness
On dark images, look for bright corners, clouding, dark areas and uneven backlighting. Some variation can be normal, but obvious bands or marks often remain visible during films and sport.
Test normal images and motion
Watch faces, subtitles, dark scenes and fast motion. Disable exaggerated shop modes and choose a normal picture mode. Check natural colours and absence of flicker or stutter.
Inspect the whole product
Six components to test every time.
Screen & casing
With the screen off, inspect at an angle for scratches, pressure marks and cracks. Check edges, rear, vents, stand and mounting points for damage or missing parts.
HDMI & other ports
Preferably test each HDMI input separately with the same cable and source. Also test aerial, USB, headphone or audio output and Ethernet if needed.
Sound
Listen to speech and music at low and higher volume. Watch for crackles, rattles, hum, dropouts and one speaker being noticeably quieter.
Remote control
Test power, volume, source, arrows, back button and voice control if present. Sticky or unreliable buttons can indicate wear or moisture damage.
Smart TV & network
Temporarily connect to Wi-Fi and try menus and important apps. Watch for slowness, freezing and errors. Check exact model update and app support beforehand.
Startup & heat
Fully switch off and on, beyond standby. Picture and sound should appear steadily. Watch for restarts, clicks, burnt smell and excessive heat in one area.
The quick practical test
Ten revealing minutes.
Go beyond the built-in demo. Use your own files and source, then restore or remove personal accounts and network details after testing.
- 01
Minutes 1–2 — identity
Compare model and serial numbers with advert, label and settings. Restart fully and check stand, remote and cables.
- 02
Minutes 3–4 — panel
Show solid colours full-screen. Inspect pixels close up and burn-in, marks, colour differences and dark or light bands from normal viewing distance.
- 03
Minutes 5–7 — real images
Play familiar footage with faces, subtitles, dark scenes and motion. Listen to speakers at different volumes.
- 04
Minutes 8–10 — inputs and smart features
Test several HDMI ports, Wi-Fi, menus and important apps. Try essential remote buttons and fully switch off and on once more.
!
Do not buy if...
Four reasons to walk away.
- 01Fixed logos, dark bands, flickering or prominent marks remain visible across several test images.
- 02The seller only shows a built-in demo and refuses your USB drive or HDMI source.
- 03Model or serial number is missing or inconsistent, or age and ownership history do not add up.
- 04The TV restarts, smells burnt, clicks or crackles, or has a cracked panel.
Checking mode
Tick off points during
your viewing.
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0 van 12
points checked
Your progressTake your time with the list. A pretty demo says little about plain greys, dark scenes or the ports you need at home.
This check helps targeted testing but offers no guarantee. Minor backlighting or pixel differences may be assessed differently by display technology and manufacturer. Preferably transport a large TV upright, well supported and without pressure on the panel.