Should You Open Your Sealed LEGO Set or Keep It Mint?

Are you struggling with the temptation of having a room or closet stuffed with shiny, sealed LEGO sets?

You might be thinking about breaking those seals, opening and building them, or just leaving them untouched for who knows how long.

Maybe you don’t want to be that creepy toy collector from Toy Story 2 who was obsessed with new toys in the box and selling them, or maybe you just enjoy having pretty boxes to look at?

Or maybe you bought them to keep and add to your collection because it was too good a deal to pass on. So, should you open your sealed LEGO set?

It all comes down to why you bought it in the first place. Did you buy it so you can build it, or did you buy it just to display or maybe sell later when its value increases?

If you bought it to build, then you should open it and enjoy the extra fun of building a new LEGO set for the first time. However, if you bought it to display or sell later, then it’s probably better to leave it unopened, considering the crazy values retired sets can go for.

So think about your reason for buying it. Is this a set you would ever part with? Let that be your guide.

Now that you have an idea about whether to open your sealed set or not, let’s answer some questions about sealed LEGO sets.

Let’s get started.

Why Is A Sealed LEGO Set More Valuable?

a sealed LEGO box

Sealed LEGO sets are more valuable because collectors prefer mint condition items. Once opened, there’s no guarantee all pieces are there or in good condition.

Buyers often avoid used sets because they might contain bite marks, broken pieces, or missing elements, which can be frustrating.

Collectors care about quality, and the best way to preserve a set’s quality is to never open the box. A sealed box guarantees everything inside is untouched and complete.

Do LEGO Sets Lose Value If Opened?

Yes, LEGO sets lose value when opened. LEGO is primarily a kids’ toy, and kids can be rough with their stuff. This means open sets are more likely to have damage or missing parts.

Collectors usually avoid opened sets because of these concerns. Sealed sets, on the other hand, are viewed as safer, more reliable purchases.

Should I Keep Opened LEGO Boxes?

Yes, keeping your LEGO boxes is a smart idea. Used sets with boxes tend to have higher resale value than those without.

Make sure to keep the boxes in good condition, as damaged boxes can lower the set’s resale value.

Read this article to learn more about how to keep LEGO boxes in good condition.

Final Thoughts

By now, you should have a clear idea about whether to open your LEGO set or not.

If you bought it to build and enjoy, then go ahead and open it. But if you bought it as an investment or for display, keeping it sealed is probably the better move.

Sealed LEGO sets are generally more valuable than opened ones, and collectors are willing to pay top dollar for them. If you do open your set, keep the box in good shape — it still adds value down the line if you ever decide to sell.