Separate normal wear, defects and functional problems

Not every defect has the same significance. Divide what you find into three groups.

Cosmetic wear: scratches, small dents, fading or ordinary signs of use.

Technical wear: worn frets, noisy pots, tired switches, loose connectors or internal batteries that may need replacement.

Functional or structural problems: cracks, major repairs, dead channels, faulty displays, unstable power or other essential functions that are compromised.

This distinction helps both with the buying decision and with estimating the cost and priority of later work. Always ask which issues are already known to the seller.