Start from a true cold boot
Ask the seller to begin with the machine powered off rather than already sitting in attract mode. A cold boot can reveal intermittent displays, slow storage media, battery or configuration messages and startup errors that disappear once the machine has been running.
Record the entire boot sequence on video. If an error appears, capture the exact wording or code rather than relying on a seller summary such as “just needs a reset.”
Test every player-facing control
Press each button more than once, including bet, spin, service-adjacent controls that are intended for normal play, and any touchscreen targets. Listen for speakers on both sides if the cabinet has stereo audio.
Check lamps and illuminated buttons in both attract mode and active play. Intermittent lighting is often less serious than a dead logic board, but it still tells you whether the machine has been maintained carefully.
Open every door the seller can legally and safely open
Verify that keys exist and that locks actually turn. Ask to see the main door, cashbox area and service compartment rather than accepting a loose key ring as proof. A missing proprietary key can turn inspection into a destructive lock-replacement job later.
Photograph boards, connectors and battery areas without touching energized components. Look for corrosion, improvised splices, burn marks, loose connectors and heavy contamination.
Demonstrate the home-use credit path
If the machine is configured for free play or non-wagering amusement use, have the seller demonstrate how credits are added and a session is started. Do not assume a disabled bill validator means the machine is ready for home use.
Keep a record of any conversion or configuration changes. That makes future troubleshooting easier and helps the next owner understand what has been altered.
Document before money changes hands
Save the model plate, serial number, cabinet photos, boot video and any error screens. The goal is not merely to prove the machine worked once; it is to create a baseline for transport, setup and later service.
See current marketplace examples
Use listings to study cabinet styles, parts availability and seller documentation. A listing is not proof of legality, compatibility or condition.
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