Buying a Used Onewheel Guide: Tips for Purchasing a Pre-Owned Board

Oskar Fällman

Updated on:

used Onewheel

There is some money to be saved by buying a used Onewheel compared to a new one. Even if used Onewheels have held their values for quite some time, at this time and place, there are deals to be found. Keep in mind as always, if it’s too good to be true it’s most likely a scam.

With the launch of the new boards by Future Motion Inc. the Onewheel GT and Onewheel Pint X and the latest Onewheel GT S-series, the marketplaces are getting flooded with used old Onewheel XR and Pints.

Why buy a used board? – Benefits of The Used Market

The Onewheel boards have been keeping their values and buying used has most of the time at a low discount. What has been possible to do is snag a board with a lot of accessories for a reasonable price. As Onehweels is a niche market, accessories are priced quite high and a fully kited board can easily add $300-400 to the already high initial investment if you buy the board new.

Top Onewheel Pint Accessories
Kitted Onewheel Pint, Float Plates, Fangs V2, Flight Fins.

Many sellers don’t know how to price their kited boards giving you, the buyer, an advantage. This also means that there is often usually not a big difference between a non-kitted and a fully kitted board with accessories included. Give you a good discount if you can find the deal.

It’s also not a big difference on the miles of the board, try and find a lightly used Onewheel if you know to have patience. As Future Motion has a non-return policy if you have ridden the board, it’s therefore not unusual to find a board with less than 20 miles for around 30% off the list price.

How to buy a used Onewheel

I would always try to meet the seller If you’re buying a used Onewheel. This is to get a feel for the seller and most important thing, to try the board before purchasing it. Meeting the seller also removes the most common scam, a downpayment, and no goods.

I will never recommend anyone to buy an Onewheel directly online with no other verification, the only place you could do this is if you are using eBay and then only with their payment options and PayPal. This will guarantee some buyer protections as they hold the money before paying it out to the seller.

Never pay outside Ebays pavement system.

The key takeaway is to just have common sense, trust your gut, and be patient. Even if a used Onehweel Pint is still an expensive purchase don’t make a rash decision.

Key Questions to Ask:

There are always some key questions to ask

First about the original purchase of the board

  • Did you buy it new, when and from where?
    The footplate, battery, and tire have a 6-month warranty. Everything else is one year. The warranty is transferrable. For more information read about the Onewheel warranty here
  • Can I get the receipt? Copy or email? (you should always try and get the receipt or at least an email confirmation.
    • Is any of the original paperwork or box included?
  • Is it coming with the original charger?

About the Board

  • How many miles?
  • Any accessories? Usually, the accessories are in the listing. They are quite expensive and will add to the overall cost of a new device.
  • Has it ever been in the water? Riding in the rain?
  • Are there any issues with it?

The purchase

  • Why are you selling it? If it is below <20miles it’s usually because of a bad fall or injury
  • Always try to negotiate for a lower price
  • Last, decide on what kind of payment

Mileage on the board – How many miles is good for used Onewheel?

If you are buying a low-mileage board, 500 miles, then you shouldn’t see any major damage. It’s normal with wear and tears on the bottom of the board, sides, and fender from the board rolling around. These scuffs are considered normal wear and tear.

It’s always a plus if the board has side- and float plates installed, then it should look good underneath as the board is protected against normal tears.

Onewheel Float Plates vs Bumpers
Onewheel Pin with Float Plates and Fangs.

For a higher mileage Onewheel, between 500-1500 miles, it’s important to understand how much maintenance and how the owner has treated the board. It is always a plus if bearing protection has been installed as the motor is prone to water damage and if it has been waterproof with a badger kit. You should take a look at the condition of the tire. A too-low-inflated tire might be rolling on its last miles. Check out when to replace a tire for more information.

For Onewheel above 1500 miles then it becomes important to get information about what has been replaced or not. Has the tire been replaced and when? Is the board running on its original battery or has it been replaced? Has the motor got new bearings? A really old board can come with items that soon need to be replaced.

Get the original receipt and check the warranty

All Onewheels come with a one-year warranty or 2000km / 1243 miles that covers any faulty parts or software. Certain replacements like footpads, tire, and battery pack have only 6-months. To find out more check the Onewheel warranty and what’s covered.

Spotting a Scam

There has been an increase in scams going around targeting Onehweels. Look out for listings without any real pictures (most scammers steal pictures). A good test is to ask for a specific picture taken and that will make it hard for them to fake, so try and get multiple pictures of the same board.

Boards with really low mileage for a too-good-to-be-true price are also a telling sign, especially if they want a downpayment to hold the board. Never accept a downpayment and I recommend if possible to meet the person to try the board before buying.

If you are using eBay, make sure to go through the official payment system, if the seller asks to go outside because of reduced fees, don’t accept that offer. You are not guarded by eBay and they will not help you.

The same goes for any payment in alternative methods like Bitcoins. It’s untraceable and you have no control of the transaction after sending it.

Trust your gut, and always remember to think rationally and critically about the offer.

Checking the Hardware Version

The hardware version is mostly considered if you are buying an Onewheel XR. This is because during the different versions Future Motion Inc. has added features to make it harder for people to add modifications to their boards. To read more about the different versions check out the Onehweel XR hardware version list.

It’s a good idea to download the Onewheel app on your phone to check the board before buying. To confirm which hardware version the board has, go to the Onewheel app, and navigate to Board Settings.

In short, the hardware version 4209 is considered the golden version, and with this and anything lower, you can still do extended battery mods without the need for an external chip like the one from JW Batteries JWFFM.

To check out the different hardware versions of the Pint. The Pint needs a chip for any battery extension.

Onewheel XR marketplace
Onewheel XR on the Facebook marketplace

If you plan to buy a used Onewheel GT or the latest Onewheel GT S-series there is no need for this step. Both boards have already these hardware features from the initial launch of the boards.

Buying a Used Onewheel GT

When it comes to buying a used Onewheel GT, the same principles apply as with any used Onewheel purchase. However, there are some specific considerations to keep in mind due to the unique features and capabilities of the GT model. Similar to other Onewheel models, the Onewheel GT has proven to retain its value well, making the used market an attractive option for those looking to save money. The key advantage lies in the potential to find a pre-owned Onewheel GT with added accessories, offering a more comprehensive riding experience without the hefty price tag associated with purchasing new accessories separately.

Why Buy a Used Onewheel GT?

The Onewheel GT is a high-performance board with an extended range and speed compared to other models. Buying a used GT can provide you with these premium features at a lower cost. And you are not as effected by any potential battery degradation as the original Pint. Additionally, many sellers include valuable accessories in their listings, which can further enhance your riding experience without the need for additional investment.

Mileage on the GT:

The mileage on a used Onewheel GT can vary greatly. However, a GT with less than 500 miles is considered low-mileage and should not have any major damage. Normal wear and tear are expected, especially on the bottom of the board, sides, and fender.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, navigating the used Onewheel market requires careful consideration and diligence. The launch of new boards by Future Motion Inc., namely the Onewheel GT, Onewheel GT S-series, and Onewheel Pint X, has flooded the market with enticing options for buyers. While the Onewheel boards generally maintain their value, the used market offers significant advantages, including potential discounts on fully kitted boards with expensive accessories.

When purchasing a used Onewheel, prioritize meeting the seller in person to try the board before committing. Avoid common scams, especially those involving downpayments outside secure platforms. Asking key questions about the board’s original purchase, warranty, and mileage is crucial. Pay attention to the condition of the board based on its mileage, and always strive to get the original receipt to verify warranty information.

Spotting scams is vital in the current market, with precautions against fake listings and too-good-to-be-true deals. Utilize official payment systems on platforms like eBay to ensure buyer protection. Trust your instincts and think critically about any offers, and never accept alternative payment methods like Bitcoins, as they lack traceability.

Checking the hardware version, especially for Onewheel XR, is essential for understanding the board’s capabilities and modifications. The Onewheel app provides a convenient way to verify the hardware version before making a purchase. This step is not needed if you buy a new board like the Onewheel GT or the Onewheel GT S-series.

In your quest for a used Onewheel, exercise patience, trust your gut, and stay informed to secure a safe and satisfying purchase in the dynamic and evolving Onewheel market.

Uncertain of what model to get? check this post on deciding what Onewheel is right for you.

About Oskar Fällman

Oskar Fällman, founder of FallmanTech, is a seasoned Onewheel rider and a visionary system engineer with a master's in Industrial Management and Engineering from Lunds University. With thousands of miles under his belt, Oskar combines technical expertise with a passion for technology and innovation. As a leader in the Onewheel community, he not only rides Onewheel's but also prioritizes safety, new innovations and the growth of the sport. As a system engineer he also holds a multiple patents and innovations. LinkedIn, Academia profile, Contact, Twitter, Patents.