What to Look for When Buying a Used Pinball Machine: A Smart Buyer's Guide
(Meta Description: Avoid costly mistakes! Our expert guide reveals exactly what to look for when buying a used pinball machine, from playfield wear to electronics checks.)
There's a unique thrill in bringing a pre-owned pinball machine into your home. You're not just buying a game; you're becoming the next custodian of a piece of arcade history. However, navigating the used market can be daunting. A great deal can bring years of joy, while a problematic purchase can become a money pit.
Fear not! This guide will arm you with the knowledge to inspect a used pinball machine like a pro. Let's break down what to check, from the cabinet to the CPU.
The Pre-Inspection: Do Your Homework
Before you even look at the machine, do some research.
Know the Game: Understand the specific title's common issues. A quick search on forums like Pinside can reveal typical wear points or known electrical gremlins.
Set a Budget: Factor in the purchase price plus a potential immediate repair/refurbishment fund. A $4,000 machine that needs $1,000 of work isn't a $4,000 machine.
The Physical Inspection: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
1. The Cabinet & Exterior
Corners and Legs: Check for significant damage, water rot, or deep scratches. Some wear is normal, but major structural issues are a red flag.
Artwork: Is the sideart faded, peeling, or scratched? Reproduction art is available for many games, but it adds to the restoration cost.
Lockdown Bar & Coin Door: Is the bar straight? Is the coin door complete and rust-free? A bent bar can indicate rough handling.
2. The Playfield (This is Critical!)
This is the game's battlefield, and its condition is paramount.
Lift the Glass: Look for wear in the common ball paths. A little "playfield swirl" is expected, but bare wood is a major concern.
Check for Planking: Run your fingernail across the wood grain. If you feel ridges, the wood is starting to separate—this is advanced wear.
Inspect the Ramps: Look for cracks, especially near the supports and screws.
Look at the Posts: Are they deeply grooved from thousands of ball hits? This is a sign of heavy use.
Playfield Features: Do drop targets reset properly? Do spinning discs turn freely? Are all plastics intact and not cracked?
3. The Electronics & Functionality
The Dot Matrix Display (DMD): Look for lines or segments that are dead or always on. A full DMD replacement can be costly.
Boot Up the Game: Listen for strange sounds during startup. The machine should boot to the attract mode without errors.
Bulb Check: Run a diagnostic bulb test (usually found in the menu) to ensure all lights and flashers work.
Switch Test: Enter the switch test menu and activate every switch on the playfield by rolling the ball over them. The game should register every one. Missing switches mean future headaches.
Solenoid (Coil) Test: Run the solenoid test from the menu. Listen for every flipper, slingshot, and pop bumper to fire crisply. A weak or non-firing coil could be a simple fuse or a more complex board issue.
4. The All-Important Gameplay Test
Listen: Does it sound right? Grinding noises from flippers or motors are bad news.
Feel: Do the flippers feel strong and snappy? Weak flippers can indicate worn coils or power supply issues.
Watch the Ball: Does the ball roll smoothly, or does it get stuck anywhere? Are there unexpected drains?
The Golden Rule: Trust Your Gut
If the seller seems evasive, refuses to let you open the machine, or rushes you, walk away. A reputable seller will be transparent and proud of their machine, even with its flaws.
FAQ Section
Q: What is "mylar," and is it a good or bad thing?
A: Mylar is a clear plastic laminate applied to the playfield to protect it from wear. Factory-applied mylar in high-wear areas is excellent. An amateurishly applied, large, bubbling sheet of mylar that covers half the playfield can be a eyesore and difficult to remove.
Q: How many plays are too many?
A: There's no simple answer. A well-maintained machine with 10,000 plays can be in better shape than a neglected one with 2,000. Focus on the physical condition rather than the counter. Many older machines have had their counters reset, making them unreliable.
Q: Is it okay to buy a machine that's not working?
A: Only if you are an experienced technician or you're buying it for a very low price as a "project." For most buyers, especially first-timers, a fully functioning machine is always the best and safest bet.
Why the guesswork? At Premium Pinballs, every used machine we sell undergoes a rigorous multi-point inspection and is fully shopped before it reaches your game room. We believe in transparency and quality, so you can buy with confidence.