Sterilization equipment is one place where cutting corners on a used purchase costs more than it saves.
Autoclaves need periodic calibration to maintain proper sterilization cycles. A seller with zero service records isn't automatically dishonest, but you're taking on unknown risk, and compliance inspectors will ask for this history too.
Rust inside the sterilization chamber is a sign of water quality issues or long-term neglect, and it's expensive to remediate. This is one condition issue that should be a hard pass, not a negotiation point.
The door seal is what maintains pressure during the sterilization cycle. A cracked or misshapen gasket usually means the seal has already failed, and this is a cheap and expected replacement part, but it should be reflected in the price.
Equipment being replaced due to reliability problems is different from equipment being sold because a practice closed or upgraded. Ask directly, and be more cautious with vague or evasive answers.
If a unit is priced well below what similar units are going for elsewhere, there's usually a reason, often a mechanical issue not mentioned in the listing. Compare against a few other listings before assuming you found a deal.
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