Yes, a used sim racing seat is a smart buy when the shell is intact, the foam still holds its shape and the mounting points match your rig. It is a bad buy when the shell has cracks, the frame is bent or the bolt pattern does not fit your cockpit without drilling. Check the seat in person, sit in it for at least ten minutes and bring a tape measure. Then compare the total cost, including brackets and new cushions, with a new seat.
Many sim racers start with a second hand seat, and that is fine. The trick is to know which flaws are cosmetic and which ones ruin your driving position.
Why do so many sim racers buy used seats?
A seat is one of the most expensive parts of a full rig after the wheelbase.
A classic first step
SIMGASM founder Johan Akkerman started exactly this way. When commercial simulator frames still started at around 400 to 500 euros, he welded his own frame from used gas pipes and combined it with a seat from a scrapyard. That practical beginning still shapes how he looks at hardware: a product needs to solve a real problem, stay affordable and be strong enough to last.
The hidden costs
A cheap seat is only cheap when it fits. Brackets, a slider, new cushions and extra bolts quickly add up. A car seat from a scrapyard also brings extra problems, because it was never designed for a rig. Read why a car seat does not fit well in a sim racing rig before you choose that route.
SIMGASM | Seat bracket set - Black
What should you check on a used seat?
Use this checklist in the order below, from the parts that cost the most to fix.
The shell or frame
Look at the shell from all sides in good light. Hairline cracks near the mounting points are the biggest red flag, because they grow under braking. On steel frame seats, check that the frame is straight and that the welds show no rust or cracks. Push hard on the side bolsters. They should feel firm, not wobbly.
The mounting points
Check if the seat mounts from the bottom or from the sides. Bottom mounted seats need a bolt pattern that matches your rig or slider. Side mounted bucket seats need brackets. Measure the hole spacing and compare it with our guide on which mounting hole spacing suits a sim racing seat. Stripped threads or oval holes mean the seat moved a lot in its previous rig.
The foam and cover
Sit in the seat for at least ten minutes. Old foam collapses, especially under your thighs and lower back, and that causes pressure points in long races. Tears, strong smells or damp spots in the cover are hard to fix. Removable, washable cushions are a big plus, because you replace them without replacing the seat.
SIMGASM | Lumbar Support Cushion for Atlas Sim Racing Seat
What problems show up after you buy?
Some flaws stay hidden until the seat sits in your rig.
Creaks and movement
A seat that creaks or shifts under braking makes your brake feel inconsistent. Often the cause is a worn bracket or a loose slider, not the seat itself. Our guide on why your seat creaks and moves under braking shows how to find the source.
Wrong size
A seat that is too narrow presses on your hips, and a seat that is too wide lets you slide around. Measure your hips and shoulders before you buy, not after.
When is a new seat the better deal?
Sometimes a new seat costs only a little more and saves you a lot of trouble.
Warranty and support
A new SIMGASM seat comes with the standard 2 year SIMGASM warranty, and the support team replies to questions by email at hello@simgasm.com, usually within one business day. SIMGASM B.V. is a Dutch company based in Wijk bij Duurstede, formally incorporated on 27 February 2026, with direct distribution from the Netherlands.
Seats you keep upgrading
The Atlas seats use a patented modular design with a shared lower base, interchangeable upper sections and washable memory foam cushion sets. You switch from a GT to a Formula position with the Atlas Formula upper section, and you refresh the look with cushion sets in red, white, blue or orange. That flexibility is rare on the used market. Browse the SIMGASM sim racing seats to compare the Core and Atlas models, or read whether to buy a sim rig with or without a seat.
SIMGASM | Hobby Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Purple
A quick decision rule
Buy used when the shell is perfect, the mounting fits your rig and the price leaves room for brackets and fresh cushions. Buy new when any of these three points fails. A seat sits at the centre of every input you make, and active upgrades like a G seat or belt tensioner only feel right on a solid base.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about buying a second hand seat.
Is a used FIA racing seat good for sim racing?
It works when it fits your body and rig. Expired FIA dates do not matter in a simulator, but cracks and damage do.
What should a used sim racing seat include?
Ideally the brackets or slider that fit it. When those parts are missing, add the cost of new mounting parts to the price.
How do I clean a used seat?
Remove the cushions when possible, vacuum the cover and use a mild upholstery cleaner. Let it dry fully before use.
Are used seat brackets safe to reuse?
Yes, when the metal is straight, the holes are round and the threads are clean. Replace bent or rusty brackets right away.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
