LEGO fans turn to eBay for rare sets as 'kidult' market becomes new toy trend

03 March 2024 , 09:00

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The Millennium Falcon is just one of many sought after Star Wars LEGO sets listed on eBay (Image: LEGO)

LEGO has become a valuable and collectible commodity, with some sets costing hundreds – if not thousands – of pounds. The Danish toy brand produces sets based on some of the world’s biggest media franchises like Star Wars and Harry Potter, with many rare and out-out-of production models now highly sought after by collectors both young and old.

LEGO is particularly popular amongst ‘kidults’ – those in the 12+ age group – as data shows collectibles and building sets are key categories that resonate with this demographic. According to the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) and Circana, formerly known as The NPD Group, the ‘kidult’ toy market is now worth a staggering £1bn, having contributed almost a third of the UK toy market's value in 2023.

But as LEGO ceases production on its older ranges, many LEGO lovers turn secondary markets like eBay to bag themselves a rare set from one of many private sellers. The online marketplace gives collectors a chance to hunt down rare and collectible LEGO sets, many of which are long retired and tricky to find elsewhere.

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One of the most sought products in LEGO’s extensive collection is its Star Wars range, with some rare and retired sets costing thousands of pounds. For example, a 2007 Ultimate Collector's Millennium Falcon will set you back more than £2,000.

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There’s plenty of lower-cost options on eBay, where shoppers can save almost £40 on the 2017 Ultimate Collector Series Millennium Falcon by using the voucher code 5SNOWMAN5, bringing it down to £632.68 – more than £100 cheaper than buying direct from LEGO. A “brand new [and] sealed” rare and retired Ultimate Collector Series Death Star from 2016 is available for £699.95.

eBay shoppers can pick up the Millennium Falcon from LEGO's Ultimate Collector Series

An out of production Force Awakens-era Falcon costs a cool £169.95, while the “rare and hard to find” First Order Star Destroyer set comes in at £270. Old school Star Wars fans can bag an unopened AT-AT motorised model for £330 or the 2013-edition Jabba’s Sail Barge from Return of the Jedi for £399.99.

Collectors can also pick up the complete set of LEGO’s Star Wars helmet collection. This 11-piece collection includes “perfect condition [and] factory sealed” display model helmets of The Mandalorian, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Boba Fett, and more for £1,100.

The now-retired 2016 Ultimate Collector Series Death Star can be found on eBay

If Harry Potter is more your thing, there’s a host of retired sets, including the 2007-edition Hogwarts Castle from the Order of the Phoenix is being sold at £670. Potterheads can also find the 2010-edition Hogwarts Castle, which is open to bidders from £180, or the “mint” condition 2011 Hogwarts Castle starting at £240.

There’s also a rare, 22-year-old, unopened Chamber of Secrets set complete with a Basilisk figure for £249.99. eBay customers can find a cool display model of Fawkes, Dumbledore’s Phoenix, for £69.99, or Harry’s owl Hedwig for £44.99, both of which are out of production.

The Fawkes collectible model has movable wings and stands on a sturdy base

Those looking to bag a bargain can save money with the many bulk-buys on offer, including the LEGO Speed Champions Ferrari bundle – with five different LEGO sports cars – from £150. Elsewhere is the super-impressive LEGO Minecraft Bundle, which comprises 18 different sets and several thousand pieces for £230.

Superhero fans can pick up a mega bundle of Marvel LEGO, which includes sets of the Avengers Tower, Avengers Compound, The Hulkbuster and many more. This job lot of storage boxes packed with LEGO is available from £350.

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LEGO fans can also shop from the brand’s latest range, with more than 200 all-new sets for 2024. Pre-orders are now open for the March 1 release of new sets including the Technic Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit, Rocket Raccoon and Baby Groot or the latest version of the Millennium Falcon.

Jake Hackney