Inside MoboCheck: how we certify every phone

Buying refurbished should feel as safe as buying new. The only thing standing between a used phone and a phone you can genuinely rely on is the work that happens in between, and that's where MoboCheck comes in.

MoboCheck is our certification process. Every device we sell passes a rigorous 90-point check before it's listed, covering everything from the power button to the battery to the tiny sensors you never think about until they stop working. It's science, not guesswork. Here's what that actually means.

Why a structured check matters

It's easy to plug in a phone, see the screen light up, and call it good. We don't do that. A phone has dozens of parts working together, and a quick glance only tells you about the few you can see.

A structured, repeatable check is how we make sure nothing slips through. The same 90 points are inspected on every single device, so a phone that passes isn't lucky, it's verified. That consistency is what lets us grade honestly and stand behind every sale with confidence.

The 90-point check, in plain language

We group the 90 points into clear categories so nothing is left to chance. Here's a tour of what each one covers.

Functionality

First, the things you use constantly. We test power and charging, the buttons, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, the cellular connection, GPS, NFC, and the SIM reader. We make calls, play sound through the speakers, and check the microphones and screen rotation. If a feature is part of your daily routine, it's on the list.

Security and data wipe

A second-hand phone should arrive as a clean slate, fully yours from the moment you switch it on. We confirm any previous activation lock is removed, run a certified data wipe so nothing from a past owner remains, and perform a factory reset. We also check the device isn't reported lost or blocked, so you never inherit someone else's problem.

Sensors and hardware

Modern phones are full of sensors that quietly make everything work: the accelerometer and gyroscope that know which way you're holding the phone, the proximity sensor that turns the screen off during calls, the ambient light sensor that adjusts brightness, plus haptics and the fingerprint or face hardware. We test them so the phone feels right, not just looks right.

Screen and display

The screen is the part you touch most, so we're strict here. We look for dead pixels, check brightness and colour, test single and multi-touch response, and inspect the glass for cracks or weakness. A display only passes if it's clear, responsive, and sound.

Battery health

Battery is one of the biggest worries with any used phone, so we don't gloss over it. We check the battery's health and capacity, look at how it charges, and watch its thermal behaviour under load. We grade honestly so you know what to expect from a full charge, with no inflated promises.

Cosmetics and authenticity

Finally, the look and the legitimacy. We grade the casing and screen for cosmetic wear, check for water-damage indicators, and confirm the phone and its parts are genuine. This is also where honest grading begins: what we see here is exactly what the condition label tells you.

It all adds up to 90

Add those categories together and you get our full 90-point check. Every point is there for a reason, and a device has to clear the whole list before it earns its grade and goes on sale.

What this means for you

When you buy a MoboSale phone, you're not taking a gamble on someone's old handset. You're buying a device that's been inspected, tested, cleaned, and certified, then described to you honestly. That's the difference between a used phone and a refurbished one you can trust.

Want the full breakdown of every category and how our condition grades line up? Read more on our MoboCheck page. It's the clearest picture of exactly how much care goes into every phone before it becomes yours.

Buy smart. Waste less. And buy with confidence.