In today's economy, many people in Pakistan — including students, freelancers, and small business owners — are choosing to buy second-hand printers instead of brand-new ones. It’s a smart way to save money and still get the functionality you need.

However, not all used printers are a good deal. Some may have hidden issues that cost you more in repairs or ink than buying new. Whether you’re buying from OLX, Facebook Marketplace, or a local shop in Karachi, Lahore, or Hyderabad, this guide will help you avoid common mistakes.

Here are the top 10 things you should always check before buying a used printer in 2025.

✅ 1. Page Count – The Printer’s Mileage

Just like a used car shows its condition through kilometers driven, printers have a page count. This shows how many pages the printer has printed since it was made.

• Ask the seller to show the page count from the settings menu.
• A printer with more than 50,000 pages might be close to its end life, depending on the model.
• For home use, try to find a printer with less than 20,000 pages printed.

✅ 2. Print Test Page – Check the Output

Never buy a used printer without printing a test page!

Check for:

• Clean and sharp text
• No streaks, lines, or ink blotches
• No fading or uneven areas

If the test page looks bad, it might mean a faulty print head, low-quality toner, or internal damage.

✅ 3. Ink or Toner Availability in Pakistan

Used printers often come with empty or fake cartridges. Make sure:

• Ink or toner for that model is easily available locally or online (Daraz, Shophive, ComputerZone).
• Check if the cartridges are original, refillable, or third-party compatible.
• Expensive or rare cartridges can make the printer useless even if it's working fine.

✅ 4. Connectivity Options – Wired or Wireless?

Technology has moved on. Make sure the printer fits your setup.

Check if it supports:

• USB connection (basic)
• Wi-Fi / Wi-Fi Direct (for wireless printing)
• Bluetooth (for printing from mobile)
• Mobile printing apps (like HP Smart, Canon Print, or Epson iPrint)

Bonus Tip: Try printing from your phone or laptop before you buy.

✅ 5. Paper Tray and Feeder Condition

Used printers often have physical issues like:

• Broken or stuck paper trays
• Paper jams
• Misaligned rollers

Insert 4–5 pages and try printing. If it jams or pulls multiple papers, it may need repair.

✅ 6. Scanner and Copier Functions (if All-in-One)

If it’s a multi-function printer (MFP), it should also scan and copy.
Check if:

• The scanner glass is clean (no scratches or dust inside)
• Copies match the original documents
• It saves scans in PDF or JPG formats

These functions often get ignored but are very important for offices or schoolwork.

✅ 7. Driver and Software Compatibility

A printer without compatible software is useless. Always:

• Search the printer’s model on the official brand website (HP, Canon, Epson, etc.)
• Make sure drivers are available for Windows 10/11, macOS, or Linux
• Also check if it supports mobile apps

Some old printers don't have drivers for newer systems — avoid them!

✅ 8. Physical Condition & External Inspection

A quick visual check can tell you a lot. Look for:

• Cracks, dents, or broken hinges
• Ink stains or leakage near the cartridge area
• Dusty internals (shows it’s not maintained well)
• Any burnt smell near the power supply (dangerous!)

Also, test all buttons, displays, and power cables.

✅ 9. Brand Support and Spare Parts Availability in Pakistan

Only go for brands that have strong presence and support in Pakistan, like:

• HP
• Canon
• Epson
• Brother

Avoid brands or models that are discontinued or rare, as their parts and repairs will be costly or unavailable.

Check if:

• There’s a service center in your city (like Karachi or Lahore)
• Technicians are available for repairs

✅ 10. Compare Used Price vs New Price

Before finalizing your deal, check prices for brand-new printers online. Sometimes the difference is small.

For example:

• A used printer = Rs. 10,000
• A brand-new printer = Rs. 14,000 with 1-year warranty

Is saving Rs. 4,000 worth the risk? Maybe not.

🏁 Conclusion:

Buying a used printer in Pakistan can be a great decision — if you know what to check. From page count to ink availability, test everything before you pay. Don’t just trust the seller’s words — see it working yourself.

Take your time, follow this 10-point checklist, and you’ll save money without sacrificing quality.