Instruction booklets are the first thing to vanish. They get torn, drawn on, or thrown out with the wrapping paper. So if you're about to sell the kids' LEGO and can't find a single booklet, don't worry — it barely matters.
The short version
You do not need instructions to sell LEGO. Loose bricks don't need them at all, and even complete sets sell perfectly well without the booklet. At most, missing instructions shave a tiny amount off a complete, collectible set — and nothing off loose bricks.
Why instructions matter so little
Two reasons:
- Loose bricks are valued by weight. A booklet makes no difference to a tub of mixed bricks — it's the bricks themselves that have the value.
- Instructions are freely available online. For the vast majority of sets, anyone can look up or download the building steps for free. So a missing booklet isn't the obstacle it once was — buyers know they can find them.
When instructions add a little
For a complete, sought-after set, having the original booklet (and box) makes it "complete in box," which collectors pay a small premium for. If you happen to still have booklets for your better sets, pop them in. If not, it's a minor difference, not a blocker.
What actually matters more
Spend your energy on the things that move the price:
- Rounding up minifigures
- Setting aside any sealed sets
- Keeping complete sets together where you can
Instructions are far down that list.
Selling without the booklets
- Get a price — weight for loose bricks, plus any sets you recognise. Find out what your LEGO is worth →
- Box and bag it securely.
- Send it free.
- Get paid, usually next day.