Kidora Parent Hub

Buying and Selling Preloved Cots and Nursery Furniture

Cots, cot beds, changing units, wardrobes, drawers and other nursery furniture can remain useful when they are complete, structurally sound, correctly assembled and suitable for continued use.

These items require more than a visual check. Missing fixings, damaged joints, incorrect mattresses, unstable drawers, incomplete instructions or an unresolved recall can make an item unsuitable.

This guide explains what buyers and sellers should check before preloved cots and nursery furniture are listed, purchased, dismantled, collected, delivered or used.

Trusted UK Cot, Mattress and Furniture-Safety Links

• UK Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls
• The Lullaby Trust mattress and bedding guidance
• NHS safer-sleep guidance
• Child Accident Prevention Trust falls guidance

Identify the Exact Product

Before buying or selling, find:

• Manufacturer
• Product name
• Exact model or range
• Batch or serial number
• Approximate manufacturing or purchase date
• Original dimensions

Labels may appear:

• Under the base
• On the back panel
• Inside a drawer
• On a mattress support
• Near fixings or hinges

Similar-looking furniture may use different fixings, mattress sizes or assembly instructions.

Check Official Product Recalls

Search the official UK Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls database.

Use the brand, model, batch number and product category.

Do not buy, sell, give away or use an affected product contrary to the official recall instructions.

Find the Correct Assembly Instructions

The exact manufacturer instructions may confirm:

• Required components
• Fixing order
• Correct base height
• Mattress dimensions
• Age and weight limits
• Wall-anchoring requirements
• Conversion from cot to cot bed
• Maintenance and cleaning

Do not assemble furniture using instructions for a different model.

Check Every Structural Part

Inspect:

• Side panels
• Head and foot panels
• Base or mattress support
• Legs
• Rails
• Joints
• Back panels
• Drawer runners
• Doors and hinges

Look for cracks, splits, bends, water damage, swelling, loose joints, repairs or missing sections.

Check All Fixings

Confirm that all required:

• Bolts
• Screws
• Nuts
• Washers
• Dowels
• Brackets
• Locking components
• Wall straps

are present and match the manufacturer’s instructions.

Do not replace structural fixings with improvised alternatives.

Check Cots and Cot Beds Carefully

For cots and cot beds, inspect:

• Frame stability
• Base support
• Side rails
• Slats
• Fixings
• Gaps
• Height settings
• Conversion parts

Do not use a cot that rocks, twists, has missing slats or cannot be assembled exactly as intended.

Check the Mattress Size

A cot mattress must match the exact dimensions specified by the manufacturer.

Check:

• Length
• Width
• Depth
• Shape
• Whether a particular mattress type is required

Do not use folded bedding, foam, cushions or padding to fill gaps.

Inspect a Preloved Mattress

The Lullaby Trust generally recommends a new mattress for each baby but recognises that this is not always possible.

Where a second-hand mattress is considered, check that it:

• Has a well-fitting waterproof cover
• Has no rips or tears
• Has no water damage, damp or mould
• Is firm and flat with no sagging
• Fits the cot or Moses basket correctly with no gaps
• Retains its relevant permanent label

Do not rely on appearance in a photograph. Inspect the whole mattress and confirm the exact cot dimensions.

Read current Lullaby Trust mattress guidance.

Follow Safer Sleep Guidance

For current health guidance, use the NHS guidance on reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Do not add unapproved bumpers, positioners, pillows, extra padding or accessories contrary to current guidance or manufacturer instructions.

Keep the Sleep Space Clear

Do not include cot bumpers, pillows, duvets, nests, pods, weighted sleep products or decorative soft items merely to increase the listing value.

Parents should follow current NHS and Lullaby Trust safer-sleep guidance and use only products appropriate for the child and sleep space.

Check Drop-Side or Moving Components

If the product has moving sides or mechanisms, confirm:

• The exact design is permitted and not recalled
• Locks engage fully
• No part is missing
• The mechanism cannot release unexpectedly
• Instructions are available

Do not use a cot with an unreliable moving or locking mechanism.

Check Changing Units

Inspect:

• Frame stability
• Changing surface
• Raised edges
• Fixings
• Drawers or shelves
• Weight limits
• Wall anchoring where required

Do not use a changing unit with loose joints, unstable drawers or damaged support panels.

Check Wardrobes and Drawers

Inspect:

• Overall stability
• Back panel
• Drawer runners
• Door hinges
• Handles
• Sharp edges
• Wall-fixing hardware

Heavy furniture may need to be anchored to the wall according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Do Not Ignore Wall Anchoring

Some nursery furniture can tip when drawers are opened, climbed on or unevenly loaded.

Check:

• Whether wall anchoring is required
• Whether the correct strap or bracket is included
• Whether replacement hardware is approved
• Whether the wall type needs specific fixings

Seek suitable installation advice where needed.

Check Paint, Veneer and Surfaces

Look for:

• Peeling paint
• Splinters
• Chipped edges
• Swollen panels
• Water damage
• Exposed sharp fixings
• Unidentified repairs or coatings

Do not make unsupported claims about paint or finish safety.

Check for Mould and Damp

Inspect hidden areas such as:

• Behind panels
• Under drawers
• Under the cot base
• Around joints
• Inside wardrobes

Do not sell or use furniture affected by mould, serious damp or structural swelling.

Ask About Storage History

Buyers may ask:

• Was it stored indoors?
• Was it dismantled for a long period?
• Has it been exposed to damp?
• Has it been repaired?
• Are all original parts present?
• Why is it being sold?

Buying Online

Before purchasing, check:

• Exact model
• Full dimensions
• Condition
• All fixings
• Instructions
• Mattress size
• Wall anchoring requirements
• Collection or delivery arrangements

Ask for photographs of structural joints, labels and fixings.

Questions Buyers Should Ask

• Is every original fixing included?
• Are the assembly instructions available?
• Has it been repaired or altered?
• What are the exact assembled dimensions?
• What mattress size is required?
• Is wall anchoring required?
• Can it be viewed assembled?

Inspect Before Collection

Where possible, view the item assembled before it is dismantled.

Check:

• Stability
• Alignment
• Joints
• Doors and drawers
• Cot base positions
• Missing parts
• Visible damage

Take photographs before dismantling so reassembly is easier.

Plan Transport

Before collection, confirm:

• Assembled dimensions
• Dismantled dimensions
• Number and size of panels
• Vehicle space
• Number of people needed to lift
• Tools required
• Stairs, doors and access

Dismantle Carefully

When dismantling:

• Follow the instructions
• Label panels
• Place fixings in a sealed labelled bag
• Protect edges
• Do not force joints apart
• Keep conversion parts together

Do not dismantle further than the manufacturer intends.

Selling Cots and Nursery Furniture

A useful listing should include:

• Brand and exact model
• Approximate age
• Assembled dimensions
• Mattress size
• Condition
• All included parts and fixings
• Instructions
• Repairs or alterations
• Wall-fixing components
• Collection or delivery details

Use Kidora’s Correct Condition Labels

Kidora currently uses:

• New
• Like New
• Very Good
• Good
• Well Used

Select the condition that matches the item and explain scratches, chips, repairs, water damage, missing parts and wear separately.

Photograph Furniture Properly

Include photographs of:

• Full assembled item
• Front, back and sides
• Structural joints
• Cot base and slats
• Drawers, hinges and runners
• Brand and model labels
• All fixings
• Instructions
• Wall straps or brackets
• Every fault or repair

If sold dismantled, photograph all panels and components together.

Describe Fixings Accurately

State whether:

• All original fixings are present
• Any replacement fixings are included
• Wall fixings are supplied
• Tools are required
• Conversion parts are included

Do not state that a product is complete unless every required component is present.

Pricing Cots and Nursery Furniture

Consider:

• Current retail price
• Brand and model
• Condition
• Age
• Completeness
• Instructions
• Transport difficulty
• Comparable local listings

Large furniture may sell for less than expected because buyers must arrange transport and reassembly.

Do Not Sell Unsafe Furniture Cheaply

A low price does not make the following suitable for sale:

• Missing structural fixings
• Cracked cot frames
• Damaged slats
• Unstable drawers
• Serious damp or mould
• Unresolved recalls

Delivery of Nursery Furniture

Large furniture is often better suited to local collection.

If delivery is offered:

• Check carrier size and weight limits
• Protect panels and corners
• Secure fixings in a labelled bag
• Use strong packaging
• Use tracked or suitable courier delivery
• Retain proof of dispatch

Buying and Selling on Kidora

Parents can browse preloved cots, cot beds, changing units, wardrobes, drawers and other nursery furniture listed by families across the UK on Kidora.

Sellers pay no selling fees and keep 100% of the item sale price. Buyers pay a Buyer Protection fee on paid purchases, shown before checkout.

Large nursery furniture is often offered for local collection, allowing buyers to inspect the structure, fixings and condition before transport.

Parents may also list suitable furniture for £0 as FREE. FREE Kidora listings are collection-only and do not include a Buyer Protection fee, but the same safety and completeness checks still apply.

A Cots and Nursery Furniture Checklist

• Identify the exact model
• Check official recalls
• Find the correct instructions
• Inspect every structural part
• Confirm all fixings
• Check mattress size
• Check wall anchoring requirements
• Inspect for damp, mould and repairs
• Photograph assembled and dismantled states
• Plan transport before collection

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to buy a preloved cot?

It may be suitable when the exact model is identified, recalls are checked, all structural parts and fixings are present, the instructions are available and the correct mattress size is used.

Should a cot be viewed assembled?

Where possible, yes. This helps the buyer assess stability, alignment, slats, joints and missing parts before dismantling.

Can I use any mattress that fits approximately?

No. Use the exact mattress dimensions and type specified by the manufacturer.

What must a seller include?

Include all required structural parts, fixings, instructions, conversion pieces and wall-anchoring components where applicable.

Can nursery furniture be listed as FREE on Kidora?

Yes. FREE items are collection-only and have no Buyer Protection fee, but they must still be suitable, complete and accurately described.