--- title: "Used & Refurbished DEXA Machines: Prices, Inspection Checklist & Where to Buy" description: "Used DEXA machines run $10K–$25K; certified refurbished $15K–$40K. What \"refurbished\" actually means, the 9-point inspection checklist, and current listings." image: "https://www.dexascans.com/og-image.jpg" url: "https://www.dexascans.com/dexa-machines/used-refurbished" --- [Dexascan](/) › [DEXA Machines](/dexa-machines) › Used & Refurbished # Used & Refurbished DEXA Machines: What to Know Before You Buy Realistic price expectations, what 'refurbished' actually means, and the 9-point inspection checklist that separates deals from liabilities. Published: July 14, 2026 Prices last verified: July 2026 Reviewed by [Dr. Michael Rodriguez, MD, PhD](/author/dr-michael-rodriguez) Used DEXA machines sell for **$10,000–$25,000** and certified refurbished units for **$15,000–$40,000** (verified July 2026). The difference in one sentence: **"used" means sold as it sits; "refurbished" means a dealer inspected it, replaced or verified the tube, transferred the software licenses, and stands behind it with a warranty.** That gap is worth paying for unless you can inspect a machine yourself. ## Used vs Refurbished vs "As-Is" - **OEM refurbished.** Rebuilt and recertified by Hologic or GE, with OEM warranty and guaranteed license status. The most expensive and least risky second-hand option — when available. - **Third-party refurbished.** The bulk of the market: dealer-inspected, worn parts replaced, calibrated, 6–12 month warranty. Quality tracks the dealer's reputation, so check references and how long they've traded. - **Used, warranted.** Working machine sold with a short warranty or DOA guarantee but no refurbishment. Fine for buyers with their own service arrangement. - **Auction / as-is.** No warranty, usually no inspection access, often no license paperwork. The listed price is the entry fee, not the cost. Warranty implications compound: a refurbished unit's warranty typically also makes it eligible for a follow-on service contract, while some service organizations won't contract an as-is machine until it passes (and you pay for) a full inspection. ## Price Expectations by Model & Age | Model Family | Age Band | Used (As-Is) | Refurbished | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Hologic Horizon | 2016–2021 | $18,000–$32,000 | $25,000–$45,000 | | Hologic Discovery | 2008–2014 | $10,000–$18,000 | $14,000–$25,000 | | GE Lunar iDXA | 2012–2019 | $18,000–$35,000 | $25,000–$50,000 | | GE Lunar Prodigy | 2008–2016 | $8,000–$18,000 | $14,000–$28,000 | | Norland / Osteosys | 2010–2018 | $6,000–$14,000 | $10,000–$20,000 | Indicative ranges, last verified July 2026. Tube life and licensed software move a specific unit within (or outside) these bands. Cross-reference the [full cost guide](/dexa-machines/cost) for what these machines cost to install and run once you own them. ## The 9-Point Used DEXA Inspection Checklist Work through these nine items — in writing, before money moves — and you'll avoid nearly every expensive used-DEXA mistake: 1. 1 ### X-ray tube scan count and age Tubes are the big consumable — five-figure replacements on some models. Treat scan count like mileage on a used car. 2. 2 ### Detector calibration history Drifting detectors mean unreliable results and looming service bills. Ask for calibration service records, not verbal assurance. 3. 3 ### Table motors and mechanical travel Run the table through full travel and the arm through a complete scan pass. Worn motors and belts announce themselves. 4. 4 ### Software version and licensed modules Get the exact software version and the list of licensed options (body composition especially) in writing on the invoice. 5. 5 ### License transferability Hologic and GE software licenses don't automatically follow the hardware — transfers must be arranged and documented. This is the single most common used-DEXA trap. 6. 6 ### Service history A machine that lived under an OEM or ISO contract with records is worth a premium over an identical machine without them. 7. 7 ### Phantom QC records Daily phantom scans are the machine's health log. No phantom data means you can't verify calibration stability — price accordingly or walk. 8. 8 ### Cosmetic vs functional wear Scuffed covers are irrelevant; cracked table pads, frayed cables, and corroded connectors are not. Know which one you're discounting for. 9. 9 ### Deinstall condition and access Who deinstalls, who insures the freight, and what door/elevator constraints exist at both ends. Rigging surprises routinely cost thousands. ## Red Flags — Walk Away - **No phantom QC data.** Every legitimately operated DEXA machine has daily phantom records. Their absence means calibration is unverifiable — or the machine sat unused for reasons nobody's mentioning. - **"Software included" with no license transfer paperwork.** The software running on the console is not the same thing as a license you legally own. Insist on the transfer documentation, or price the machine as bone-density-only hardware. - **Seller refuses a physicist or engineer inspection.** There is no honest reason to block a pre-purchase inspection on a five-figure X-ray device. None. ## Where to Buy Used — the Risk Ladder From lowest risk to lowest price: **refurbished dealers** (warranty, logistics, license handling included), **brokers** (they find off-market machines; diligence is shared), **direct from a closing facility** (good prices, you run the checklist yourself), and **auctions** (cheapest, blind, as-is). Each step down the ladder trades warranty for price — the checklist above is what keeps the bottom rungs survivable. [See current used & refurbished listings →](/dexa-machines/for-sale) **Looking to get a DEXA scan instead of buying a machine?** A professional DEXA scan costs $100–$250 (from $99 at many partner clinics), takes about 10 minutes, and requires no referral. [Find a DEXA Scan Near You →](/locations) ## Used DEXA Machine FAQ How long do DEXA machines last? 10–15 years is typical for a well-maintained central unit. The real constraints are X-ray tube life (tubes are replaceable but expensive), manufacturer parts support for the model line, and software licensing. A 2015 machine with a recent tube and current software can be a better buy than a 2019 machine with neither. Is a 10-year-old DEXA machine worth buying? It can be — if the tube has life left, the software licenses transfer, phantom QC records show stable calibration, and the manufacturer or a third party still supports parts. Run the 9-point inspection checklist on this page; a 10-year-old machine that passes it will typically serve another 5+ years. Can old machines still get service contracts? Usually, but not always from the OEM. Manufacturers eventually declare models end-of-support, after which third-party service organizations (ISOs) take over. Before buying an older unit, get a written service quote from at least one ISO covering your area — a machine nobody will contract to service is a machine you shouldn't buy. Selling instead? [Get a cash offer for your machine](/dexa-machines/sell) · Part of the [DEXA machine buyer's guide](/dexa-machines). ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Used & Refurbished DEXA Machines: What to Know Before You Buy", "description": "Used DEXA machines run $10K–$25K; certified refurbished $15K–$40K. 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