NeoSomaTech
Is a second-hand exoskeleton worth it?
The answer in detail
Our view: a second-hand exoskeleton can be a good deal for a simple passive model, such as a spring-based exoskeleton, if you know how to check its condition. It is riskier for a powered model, whose battery and electronics wear in ways you cannot see. This is not an established fact but a judgment based on what manufacturers and the law say.
The central point is your protection. According to Service-Public.fr, the legal guarantee of conformity also applies to second-hand goods: 2 years, but with a presumption of prior defect limited to 12 months, and the professional seller answers for it. On an ad between private individuals, do not count on it without checking.
What makes the value vary
Several elements weigh on the fair price of a second-hand model. Here are those that the Ski-Mojo manufacturer points out in its FAQ.
- Wear parts: the cable, neoprene sleeves and boot connectors are replaceable; the warranty does not cover them, except for abnormal wear.
- Service: the manufacturer recommends a professional check after 70 to 90 days of use.
- Connectors: new boots need new permanent connectors.
- Spring: it is chosen by the user's weight: a spring suited to the previous owner may not suit you. See our guide to the
- Blue, Silver or Gold spring
- .
For a powered model, add the condition and age of the battery, hard to judge without the device in front of you.
Extra costs and pitfalls
- Manufacturer warranty: ask whether it passes to the new owner. The Ski-Mojo extension from 24 to 48 months requires registering the product.
- Original invoice: without it, you cannot prove the purchase or its date.
- Settings to redo: rod length, connectors, spring, harness.
- Refurbishment: parts, service and labor add up quickly; compare the cost of parts and service with the new price shown in our catalog.
How to check and buy well
Ask for the original invoice, photos of the wear parts and the purchase date. Try the device before paying if possible, adjusting it to your build. If you hesitate, a professional reseller of refurbished equipment gives you the right to the legal guarantee described above. To place the new price, read our article on the price of an exoskeleton.
Key takeaways
A second-hand exoskeleton can be worth it if it is passive, simple to check and bought with an invoice. The professional seller answers for the legal guarantee of conformity, including for second-hand goods, which is not a given between private individuals. Always compare the asking price with the cost of new, adding wear parts, service and settings to redo. For a powered model, be more demanding about battery condition.