Second-hand · A–D guide
Grade used rackets A to D before you pay.
Simple condition grades for UK club buyers. A cosmetic scrape is usually fine. Cracks, crushed graphite, or a bumper worn through to the frame are where a “bargain” gets expensive.
See A–D grades ↓
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The A–D scale
A, B, C or D — what each means.
Use this four-level scale on the advert and again in person. It is a buyer’s checklist, not a certified grade, and it does not replace close photos of the bumper, throat and both sides of the hoop. We don’t use stock photos here — ask the seller for clear shots of the real racket.
- A — Near-new play wear. Light cosmetic marks only. Bumper intact with no exposed graphite. No cracks, soft spots or repairs. Original or well-fitted grommets. Grip and strings may still need replacing for your game — that is normal, not a downgrade to B by itself.
- B — Honest club use. Scratches and paint chips common. Bumper worn but graphite not showing. Frame feels solid around hoop and throat. No structural repairs claimed. Expect to budget for strings, grip and possibly a bumper/grommet refresh.
- C — Heavy wear / uncertainty. Bumper thin or cut through in places, or graphite visible. Soft spots, mystery customisation, or a repair history you cannot verify. Only continue if the price clearly leaves room for a professional inspection and parts — and walk away if the seller will not show close photos.
- D — Structural risk. Crack, crushed graphite, rattles that suggest a broken layup, or a bent/twisted hoop. Treat as not playable for match use. Do not “save” it with a cheap restring.
How to use it with sold prices: only compare A-rated sales to other A (or near-A) listings for the same generation, head size and grip. A cheap C is not a bargain against an A sold price. If the seller’s photos cannot support a grade, write “ungraded” and treat value as uncertain.
How to value · updated 15 September 2026
Use sold comparisons, not a fixed percentage.
Start with several recent completed sales for the exact generation, head size and grip size. Separate single frames from pairs, damaged items and customised rackets. Asking prices show what a seller hopes to receive, not what buyers paid.
- Record the sale date, your A–D condition grade, delivery cost and included accessories.
- If a best-offer amount is hidden, do not treat the asking price as the accepted price.
- Allow for string, grip or bumper work, then compare the total with a currently verified new offer.
- If there are too few comparable sales at a similar grade, say the value is uncertain. Do not manufacture a range.
No used-market values or listings are verified here. Use a marketplace’s completed/sold filter and read each listing.
Correction history
15 September 2026: removed the earlier 45–65% of new-price rule. It was an editorial rule of thumb without a supporting sold-listing sample and should not be used as a market valuation.
15 September 2026: added A–D condition-rating framework for buyer use; no stock or staged photos.
Five-minute inspection
- Run a finger around the hoop and throat for cracks or soft spots.
- Inspect the bumper at 10 and 2 o’clock for exposed graphite.
- Confirm exact model, weight and grip from the printed specification.
- Ask about professional customisation or repairs.
- Assign an A–D grade before you negotiate.
- Add the cost of strings, grip and grommets before comparing prices.
Questions for the seller
- How long have you owned it and how often was it played?
- Has the frame ever cracked, been repaired or been matched?
- When was it last restrung and with what string?
- Can you provide close photos of the bumper, throat and both sides?
- Any weight added (lead, silicone) or grip-size change from stock?
Identify the exact model in the catalogue →
This guide helps you judge an advert. It cannot verify a seller’s claims or authenticate a racket remotely. No fake or stock condition photos.