Buying pre-loved books online in the UK is the easiest way to read more for less, cut your carbon footprint, and find titles the high street stopped stocking years ago. Here is a no-nonsense shortlist of where to look, who they suit, and what to expect.
1. ReReadz
A reader-to-reader UK marketplace for second hand books. Listings come from real readers, prices are typically 50 to 80 percent off RRP, shipping is a flat £2.99 for up to four books, and every order is covered by buyer protection. Best for fiction, current non-fiction, and building a personal library on a budget.
2. World of Books
One of the largest online used-book retailers in the UK. Huge range, consistent grading, and free UK delivery. Less personal than a marketplace but reliable for back-catalogue paperbacks.
3. AbeBooks
A global network of independent booksellers. The place to go for rare, out-of-print, signed, and collectable editions. Prices vary widely; postage from overseas sellers can add up.
4. Wob (formerly Worldofbooks) charity shops on eBay
Oxfam, Sue Ryder, British Heart Foundation, and others run busy eBay shops with thousands of pre-loved titles. Bidding can land you bargains, and the money goes to a good cause.
5. Hive
Hive lets you buy new and second hand books while supporting a local independent bookshop of your choice. Lovely option if you want to keep high-street bookshops alive.
6. Better World Books
Ships from the US and UK warehouses. Free worldwide delivery, and a book is donated for every order. Good for English-language classics and study books.
7. Local Facebook Marketplace and Vinted
Hit and miss, but if you are after a specific recent bestseller you can sometimes pick it up for a couple of pounds from someone nearby.
What to look for when buying pre-loved books online
- Honest condition grading with photos of the actual copy where possible.
- Clear shipping costs, ideally flat-rate for multiple books.
- Buyer protection so you are covered if a book arrives damaged or never turns up.
- UK-based sellers for faster delivery and lower emissions.
Why buy pre-loved instead of new
A new paperback in 2026 averages around £9 to £11. The same book pre-loved is typically £2 to £4. Multiply that across a year of reading and the savings are real. There is also the planet argument: every pre-loved book bought is one fewer printed, shipped, and eventually pulped.
Where to start
If you want one place to bookmark, start with ReReadz. Listings refresh constantly, prices are reader-friendly, and you are buying from people who actually loved the book first.