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A used iPhone can be a great deal, but it is also the most scammed category on Marktplaats. Never buy one that is still linked to someone's Apple account, check the battery and parts history in Settings, and only pay in person once you have tested it. The checks take ten minutes.
Most bad iPhone deals fall into a few patterns. The price is the first clue: a recent Pro model listed at half the usual used price is bait.
If Find My (Zoek mijn) is still on, the phone is tied to the seller's Apple account. After a reset it will ask for their Apple ID and password, and without them it is useless. Apple will not remove it for you without proof of purchase.
Ask the seller to sign out of their Apple account in Settings, then erase the phone in front of you (Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Erase All Content and Settings). When it restarts on the Hello screen and lets you go through setup without asking for someone else's Apple ID, it is clean. If the seller cannot or will not do this, do not buy it.
Go to Settings, Battery, Battery Health. Below 80 percent maximum capacity, the battery is due for replacement, which Apple and repair shops charge for. Recent models also show the cycle count under Settings, General, About.
In Settings, General, About you will also find Parts and Service History on supported models. It shows whether the screen, battery or camera were replaced and whether the part is genuine Apple or Unknown Part. A cheap aftermarket screen can have worse colours and touch response, and lowers the value.
Bring your own SIM card and a cable, and work through the phone in order.
An iPhone 13 or newer is a sensible minimum this year if you want several more years of updates. The iPhone 15 and later use USB-C, which matters if you want to share chargers with other devices. Go for at least 128 GB; 64 GB fills up quickly with photos.
Note that iPhones from the US since the iPhone 14 have no SIM tray and work with eSIM only. Check that your Dutch provider supports eSIM before buying an imported phone. If you want a narrow match, for example an iPhone 15 Pro with battery health over 85 percent and no replaced parts within 20 km, vindje.com can check listing descriptions for those details.
| Item | Typical asking price |
|---|---|
| iPhone 13, 128 GB, good condition | EUR 200-300 |
| iPhone 14, 128 GB | EUR 260-380 |
| iPhone 15, 128 GB | EUR 380-500 |
| iPhone 15 Pro, 128 GB | EUR 480-650 |
| iPhone 16 Pro, 256 GB | EUR 650-850 |
Rough Marktplaats asking prices in the Netherlands. Condition, age and season move them a lot.
Describe what you want in your own words and vindje.com searches Marktplaats in Dutch, then reads every listing and keeps only the real matches. For example:
iPhone 15 or 15 Pro, at least 128 GB, battery health above 85 percent, no replaced parts, pickup only, under 550 euro, within 20 kmSearch Marktplaats like this
Ask the seller to erase it in front of you. If it starts setup without asking for another person's Apple ID, Activation Lock is off.
Above 85 percent is good. Below 80 percent you should plan on a battery replacement and lower your offer.
It is riskier, because you cannot check Activation Lock or test it before paying. If you must, only use a payment method with buyer protection.
Check Settings, General, About for the model and serial number, and enter the serial on Apple's coverage check site. Clones often have Android-style menus, no App Store and a wrong About screen.