A second-hand PS5 or Xbox controller can save you a good chunk of money. It can also be someone else's drift problem, sold on. I ran a phone trade-in business for nine years, checking second-hand devices before buying them, and the same rule applies to controllers: check it properly before you pay, not after.
Here's what to check, in person or online.
Buying in person
Take your phone. With Chrome on Android, you can connect the controller by Bluetooth or a USB-C cable and test it on the spot.
1. Test the sticks for drift
Open my free stick drift test and run it on both sticks. It takes about a minute. Anything beyond a Minor result on either stick is a reason to walk away or negotiate, because a stick replacement adds to the real cost.
2. Test every button and trigger
Use the live view on my controller tester. Press every button, both bumpers and both triggers, and check each one lights up. Look for:
- buttons that need a hard press, or don't register every time
- a bumper that registers twice from one press
- a trigger that doesn't reach full travel
3. Feel the sticks
Move each stick slowly round its full circle. It should feel smooth and spring back to centre. Grittiness, looseness or a stick that sticks are signs of wear.
4. Check the charging port
Plug a cable in. It should click in firmly and charge without wiggling. A loose port is a common, and annoying, fault.
5. Look at the shell and screws
- Mismatched shell parts or scratched screw heads can mean it's been opened. That isn't always bad, but ask why.
- Sticky or worn buttons suggest heavy use.
- Rattles when you shake it gently can mean a loose part inside.
6. Check it's genuine
Fake controllers exist, especially for PlayStation. Be wary of a price that's far below the going rate, logos or text that look slightly off, unusually light weight, or packaging with spelling mistakes. A genuine controller should pair with its console and work fully there.
Buying online
You can't hold it, so ask for evidence:
- A screenshot of a stick drift test. Ask the seller to run my stick drift test and send you the result for both sticks. An honest seller won't mind, and it takes them a minute.
- A short video of the controller working with its console, moving through menus with the sticks and pressing the buttons.
- Clear photos of the charging port, sticks and shell.
Buy through a platform with buyer protection, and pay with a method that gives you a way to dispute it.
Your rights when buying second-hand
Your rights depend on who you buy from:
- From a business, including a business seller on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, you have consumer rights: the item must be as described and of satisfactory quality, allowing for its age.
- From a private seller, your main right is that the item must be as described. That's why a clear description, and evidence like a drift test, matter.
Platforms like eBay also have their own buyer protection schemes on top.
If it turns out to be faulty
If you've already bought one with drift or a faulty button, the repair may still make it a good buy. I repair PS5 and Xbox controllers by post: stick drift, buttons, bumpers, triggers and charging ports. See my controller repairs.
Questions people ask
How do I check a used controller for stick drift?
Connect it to an Android phone or a computer and run a browser stick drift test. It shows each stick's resting offset and a verdict in about a minute.
Is it worth buying a controller with stick drift?
Only if the price reflects the repair. A stick replacement costs money, so factor it into what you pay.
How can I tell if a PS5 controller is fake?
Look for a price far below the going rate, logos or text that look slightly wrong, light weight and poor packaging. A genuine controller pairs with a PS5 and works fully there.
What should I ask a seller for online?
A screenshot of a stick drift test for both sticks, a short video of it working, and clear photos of the port, sticks and shell.
My recommendation
Test it before you pay: both sticks, every button, the charging port. A minute with a phone and a free tester can save you buying someone else's problem.