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Top 10 Things to Check Before Buying a Used Printer in Pakistan (2025 Guide)

Top 10 Things to Check Before Buying a Used Printer in Pakistan (2025 Guide) - Blog Image

Category: Printer Guide

Date: 06 May, 2025

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.