Back Market UK: How It Works and Is It Legit?

Last updated: 14 October 2026

What Back Market is

Back Market was founded in Paris and, according to TechRadar, has sold more than 30 million used devices. It does not refurbish anything itself. Instead, professional refurbishers list devices on the site, and Back Market sets the rules they sell under through its Quality Charter.

You pay Back Market at checkout, not the seller. That matters when something goes wrong, because the help request runs through your Back Market account. Each listing names the refurbisher, so the same phone in the same grade can come from different sellers at different prices.

Back Market UK condition grades

Back Market says every device is fully working, whatever its grade. The grade describes how it looks. Phones, tablets, laptops, desktops and smartwatches come in four grades, and everything else comes in two, Excellent and Good.

• Premium: almost no signs of use, only genuine manufacturer parts and batteries, and a battery at 90% capacity or more.
• Excellent: very light micro-scratches on the body that you cannot see from about 20cm away. The screen has no scratches.
• Good: light micro-scratches you cannot see from about an arm's length. The screen has no scratches.
• Fair: visible scratches and dents on the body, light scratches on the screen that show slightly when it is on, and possibly an engraving.

Back Market does not photograph each device, so the grade is all you have to go on before it arrives.

Warranty, returns and batteries

• 12-month warranty: the seller's warranty runs for a year from delivery and covers hardware and software faults. The seller repairs or replaces the device, and refunds you if it cannot do either.
• What the warranty excludes: drops, breakage, liquid damage and devices opened by you or an unauthorised third party.
• Legal rights: the warranty sits on top of your legal rights as a UK buyer, so it does not replace them.
• 30-day returns: you can send a device back within 30 days of delivery for a full refund if you are not happy with it.
• Battery minimum: batteries in phones, tablets and laptops must hold at least 80% of their original capacity, or 90% on Premium.
• Data wipe: refurbishers reset every device to factory settings and erase the previous owner's data.

Is Back Market legit?

Yes. It is an established marketplace with a seller warranty, a return window and payment handled centrally. Your experience still depends on which refurbisher fills your order, and Trustpilot notes that Back Market UK has not replied to negative reviews. For a first-hand verdict, read our Back Market review UK.

The limits

Parts are not always original. Back Market says refurbishers use compatible or genuine parts, and only Premium promises genuine manufacturer parts and batteries.

Water resistance usually goes. Devices are opened for testing during refurbishment, so Back Market does not guarantee the original waterproof seal.

An 80% battery works, but it will not last as long as a new one. If battery life matters to you, Premium is the grade with the 90% minimum.

Accessories vary by listing, so check whether a charger and cable are included before you buy.

How to buy safely on Back Market UK

First, choose the grade for how much wear you can live with, and read the listing for storage, colour and what is in the box. Then compare the refurbishers selling the same model, because prices and seller ratings differ. When it arrives, test the camera, speakers, charging port, WiFi, Bluetooth and Face ID or Touch ID straight away, so any fault shows up inside the 30 days.

If something is wrong, log in to your Back Market account, go to Orders and choose Get help. The full warranty terms are on Back Market's help centre, and you can browse stock on backmarket.co.uk. Our refurbished tech UK guide compares Back Market with the other places to buy refurbished.

Back Market discount code

FAQs

Is Back Market safe to buy from in the UK?

Yes. Every device has a 12-month seller warranty and 30 days for returns, and you pay through Back Market rather than the seller.

Does Back Market sell new devices?

No. Everything is refurbished by professional sellers and graded Premium, Excellent, Good or Fair by appearance.

What battery health will a Back Market phone have?

At least 80% of its original capacity, or at least 90% if you buy the Premium grade.

Can I return a Back Market device if I change my mind?

Yes. You have 30 days from delivery to return it for a full refund.

Are refurbished phones on Back Market still waterproof?

Not reliably. Devices are opened during refurbishment, so Back Market does not guarantee the original water resistance.

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