Need a Christmas miracle? The vintage toys lurking in attics across the country worth thousands

The UK: A Nation of Sentimental Hoarders 

Before we dive into which toys could make you a tidy profit, it’s worth noting that the UK is a nation of hoarders. According to a 2020 study, 50 percent of Brits admit they struggle to declutter due to sentimental attachment to various items, while a staggering 26 percent of homeowners aren’t even sure what’s lurking in their attics! 

Amidst these piles of forgotten belongings could be treasures—specifically old toys—that might be worth much more than was originally paid. By the time a child reaches the age of 13, they’ve typically owned around 493 toys. While some of these toys may have been thrown away, others may still be tucked away in a dusty attic or neatly boxed up in the garage, waiting to either be passed down to the next generation or sold for a profit as their value has increased over time. 

The Boom in Vintage Toy Collecting 

The market for vintage toys has been on a steady rise, with collectors and enthusiasts scouring the web for rare items. In an age where nostalgia is more profitable than ever, particularly with the resurgence of brands like Barbie, there has never been a better time to cash in on your childhood favourites. 

This growing trend, especially fuelled by online auction platforms like eBay, reveals that some toys are more than just sentimental keepsakes. They’re valuable assets. From Lego Star Wars sets to rare My Little Pony figures, these toys have proven to be worth a small fortune. 

Homeprotect‘s study analysed eBay sales data to identify the most valuable items from 12 popular toy brands from the 80s, 90s, and 00s, focusing on which ones fetched the highest prices. Let’s dive into which toys are topping the charts. 

Lego: The King of Retro Toy Resale 

If you’ve ever owned a Lego set, you may want to pay close attention. Lego sets, particularly those from popular series like Star Wars, are commanding some of the highest prices in the market. According to Homeprotect’s study, Lego sets dominated the top 10 list of most valuable retro toys sold. 

At the very top of the list was the ‘Lego Star Wars Cloud City’ set, which sold for a whopping £2,050. Close behind were the ‘Skull’s Eye Schooner Pirate Ship,’ which fetched £1,700, and the ‘Lego Star Wars Ultimate Collectors Millennium Falcon,’ sold for £1,120. Even more impressive is the consistency with which Lego Star Wars items dominated the top 10. In addition to the Millennium Falcon, other sets like the ‘Lego Star Wars Death Star II’ and the ‘Lego Star Wars Imperial Shuttle’ also secured places in the top 10, each selling for over £700. 

The demand for Lego sets is extraordinary, not just in the resale market but also in online search trends. In the UK alone, searches for ‘Lego Star Wars’ receive an average of 74,000 hits per month. This continued demand is likely a driving factor behind their high resale value. 

My Little Pony: More Than Just Nostalgia 

Surprisingly, My Little Pony managed to break into the Lego-dominated top 10 list with some of its rarest figures fetching impressive sums. A ‘Vintage G1 My Little Pony Orange Cotton Candy Flat Foot Unmarked Hoof’ sold for £1,022.28 after receiving 25 bids on eBay, despite not even having its original box! This shows that when it comes to rare and unique items, collectors are willing to pay top dollar, even without perfect packaging. 

Other My Little Pony items have also proven profitable. For instance, a ‘Funskool G1 1980s Blossom Pink Purple INDIA Foot’ sold for £185, while other versions like the ‘G1 MLP Advent Calendar’ and ‘1987 G1 Baby Pony With First Tooth Bouncy Boxed’ went for around £90. These sales illustrate that the value of My Little Pony toys, while not as high as some Lego sets, can still be considerable. 

Barbie: The Comeback Queen 

Barbie is a classic toy that has spanned generations, and her appeal shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, thanks in part to the recent live-action Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, Barbie toys are seeing a resurgence in popularity. Homeprotect’s research found that ‘Barbie’ was the most searched term among the toy brands studied, with 368,000 average monthly searches in the UK alone. 

In terms of resale value, Barbie is holding her own. One notable sale was the ‘Barbie Meadow Mares Horse – Rare Original Unopened Box,’ which sold for £928. Limited edition Barbie dolls, particularly those from high-profile fashion collaborations, are also fetching impressive sums. For example, Christian Dior and Juicy Couture limited edition dolls sold for £175, while three fashion model collection Barbie dolls sold for between £200 and £300. 

Other Brands Worth Checking 

While Lego, My Little Pony, and Barbie dominated the top spots, there are plenty of other toys from the 80s, 90s, and 00s that could be worth a second look if you happen to have them stashed away. These include: 

• Ty Beanie Babies: A ‘Billionaire 14, MWCT’ Beanie Baby sold for £475. 

• Beyblade: The ‘Original Takara HMS Dranzer DS Purple’ fetched £148. 

• Bratz: A ‘2005 Bratz Felicia Campfire Collector’s Doll with 2 Outfits and Poster’ sold for an impressive £539.93. 

• Furby: The ‘Era 1 Jester Special Edition’ Furby went for £199.99. 

• Hot Wheels: A ‘Redline Sweet 16 Custom Mustang HK Green’ sold for £220. 

• Playmobil: A ‘RC Goods Train Set’ was snapped up for £180. 

• Sylvanian Families: A ‘Very Rare Boxed Flair Sylvanian Families Angelina Ballerina Cheddar Cottage’ fetched £360. 

Each of these toys might not be as prominent as Lego or Barbie, but they still present valuable opportunities for collectors and sellers alike.  

Check out our other findings below: 

How to Assess the Value of Your Old Toys 

If you’re wondering whether your old toys are worth something, there are a few things you should consider. Firstly, rarity is key. The more limited or rare the item, the more valuable it’s likely to be. Toys that were part of limited production runs or exclusive collections often fetch higher prices, as do items in excellent condition, particularly if they’re still in their original packaging. 

It’s also important to research the market before selling. By checking platforms like eBay, you can get a sense of what similar items are selling for and set a competitive price. However, don’t be afraid to get your items professionally valued, especially if you think they could be worth insuring. 

The Importance of Insurance for Valuable Collectibles 

If you discover that your old toys are worth more than you anticipated, it’s worth considering getting them insured. According to David Joyson, Chief Customer Officer at Homeprotect, “If you’ve got old toys lying around, it might be worth checking their value—you could be sitting on a goldmine!” 

Many people may not realise that their existing home insurance policies might not adequately cover collectibles or high-value items. While some collector’s items may already be included in your contents insurance, it’s crucial to check the specific terms of your policy to ensure you’re not underinsured. In some cases, you may need to increase your contents cover or take out specialized insurance for particularly valuable items. 

Final Thoughts 

Whether you’re a sentimental hoarder or just someone who has forgotten about the toys gathering dust in your attic, now could be the perfect time to go through your old belongings and see if there’s a hidden treasure among them. From Lego Star Wars sets to My Little Pony figurines and rare Barbie dolls, vintage toys are experiencing a resurgence in value. So, if you’re looking to declutter and make some extra cash, don’t overlook the potential goldmine that could be hiding in your toy box. 

As Homeprotect’s research shows, the market for retro toys is booming, and you never know—you might just have a valuable piece of nostalgia waiting to be discovered. 

Methodology: 

Homeprotect used a seed list of popular 80’s, 90’s and 00’s toy brands from listicles and then ran them through Google’s Keyword Planner to validate their online popularity. We then searched for the brands on eBay with the following settings:  

• Auction Only- No ‘best offers’  

• UK Only  

• Production date- before 2010 where available  

• Completed and Sold items only  

• We then filtered the results by ‘highest price +P&P’  

• We ignored any bundles, we only made note of individual items being sold  

• We then listed the most expensive items that had sold recently for these toy brands