Is A Second Hand Piano Reliable?
Yes. A good second hand piano, bought from a specialist who has inspected and prepared it, is a very reliable instrument. Pianos are built to last for decades, and a quality used piano in good condition will give years of dependable service. Reliability comes down to the original build quality, how well the piano has been maintained, and above all to buying one that has been properly checked. From a reputable dealer, a used piano should also come with a guarantee.
This is a worry many buyers have, and it is a fair one. So let us answer it properly.
Why pianos are reliable by nature
A piano is built to endure. A solid frame, a cast iron plate and quality timber give it a long natural life, and crucially the parts that wear, such as the hammers, felts and strings, can be reconditioned or replaced. A piano does not simply expire the way a worn-out appliance does. This is why a well-made instrument can remain reliable for fifty years or more.
What actually affects reliability
A second hand piano's reliability rests on three things. First, how well it was built in the first place: a quality maker's piano starts with a real advantage. Second, how it has been looked after: a piano that has been tuned regularly and kept in a sensible environment will be in far better health than one that has been neglected or stored somewhere damp. Third, and most important for a buyer, whether it has been properly checked before sale.
Where you buy makes the difference
This is the heart of the matter. The same used piano can be a reliable purchase or a risky one depending entirely on how it is bought. Buy privately or at auction and you are trusting to luck, because the real condition of a piano is hard for a non-expert to judge. Buy from a specialist and the instrument has already been assessed and prepared by people who know what to look for, and it comes with a guarantee. The risk that makes people nervous about used pianos is largely the risk of buying blind, and a good dealer removes it.
What we do before a piano is sold
Every piano we sell is inspected by our technicians, and any work needed is carried out before the instrument goes on sale. We are confirming that it is structurally sound, that it holds its tuning, and that the action and tone are right. That preparation is what turns a used piano into a genuinely reliable one, and it is why we are able to guarantee the pianos we sell.
The reassurance of a guarantee
A guarantee is more than a piece of paper. It is a sign that the dealer has genuine confidence in the instrument. All our pianos come with a guarantee, along with free delivery and a free first tuning once the piano has settled. If a dealer is willing to stand behind a used piano in that way, it tells you something real about its reliability.
In short
A second hand piano is as reliable as the care that has gone into selecting and preparing it. Choose a quality instrument that has been properly checked and is backed by a guarantee, and you can buy with full confidence. Browse our upright pianos and grand pianos, every one inspected before sale.
Frequently asked questions
How long will a second hand piano last?
A good second hand piano can last for decades. Quality pianos are built to endure, and their wearing parts can be reconditioned or replaced.
Is it risky to buy a second hand piano?
The risk depends on where you buy. Privately or at auction you cannot know the true condition. From a specialist who has assessed the piano and provides a guarantee, most of that risk is removed.
Do second hand pianos come with a guarantee?
From a reputable dealer, yes, along with delivery and the first tuning. A guarantee is a clear sign the dealer has confidence in the instrument.
Buy a used piano with confidence
The Piano Gallery is an independent, family-run piano specialist established in 1980. Every piano we sell is inspected by our technicians before sale and comes with a guarantee, free delivery and a free first tuning. Come and choose with confidence.
The Piano Gallery
13-17 London Street, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, SN7 7AE
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Any other time by appointment.
Telephone: 01367 244554 | Email: sales@thepianogallery.co.uk