How to check LEGO minifigure condition

Inspect cracks, printing, joints and completeness before comparing a minifigure with a price estimate.

Inspect under good light

Look at the front, back, sides and underside of the figure. Use gentle handling: forcing an arm, hand or tightly fitted accessory can cause damage. Record what you can see rather than assuming that a figure is undamaged because it displays well.

Area	What to inspect
Torso and arms	Side cracks, splits near hands, loose arms and scratches.
Head and printing	Worn facial details, scuffs, fading and mismatched prints.
Hips and legs	Cracks, weak joints, bite marks and missing print.
Accessories	Correct version, missing pieces, bent or broken details.
Color and surface	Discoloration, stains, residue and inconsistent colors.

Separate condition from completeness

A clean figure can still be incomplete. Compare its head, torso, legs, headgear and accessories with the catalog record. If a replacement part changes the variant, identify that combination before using the original figure’s price.

A cracked but complete figure and a pristine figure missing its distinctive helmet are different comparisons. Keep notes on both condition and missing parts in your collection records.

Choose the right price comparison

BrickIndex separates available new and used market estimates. A catalog reference cannot inspect your copy or automatically deduct the right amount for a crack. Compare similar copies and disclose visible defects when describing your own item.

Do not turn an app’s condition label into a claim of independent professional grading. Photographs and clear descriptions help make a condition assessment understandable.

Record what you found

Take clear photos of any damage, retain the exact catalog ID and record what you paid. Consistent notes make it easier to review your collection later and avoid treating every copy of one figure as equivalent.

Track your collection · Confirm the minifigure variant · Read the price methodology