Brits could possibly be stocking 1000’s of kilos away of their attics, skilled warns

With everyone feeling the pinch this festive season, a new study has lifted the lid on hidden riches gathering dust in your home that could be worth a small fortune. A staggering 50% of Brits admit to struggling with letting go of possessions, and alarmingly, a quarter of homeowners have no idea what’s lurking in their loft.

But there’s a silver lining – take a peek in those packed-away boxes, because these neglected items could bankroll your December celebrations, according to Homeprotect’s insights. They’ve riffled through eBay listings to unearth which long-forgotten treasures from the 80s, 90s, and early 00s childhoods are top sellers.

David Joyson, Chief Customer Officer at Homeprotect, advised: “If you’ve got old toys lying around, it might be worth checking their value—you could be sitting on a goldmine! Alternatively, if you come across an item you think may have a high value, get it professionally valued, so you know if they are worth insuring and to avoid underinsuring.”

Unsurprisingly, some collectable retro Lego sets take the top spot, or 5 top spots in reality. Homeprotect found the Lego Wars Star Wars Cloud City was the most valuable with one seller earning £2,050 from their 2003 set while others are listed for up to £6,000. The Lego Skull’s Eye Schooner Pirate Ship, Lego Star Wars Ultimate Collectors Millenium Falcon and Lego Star Wars Death Star II all earned well above £1,000 for their sellers too.

My Little Pony made a surprising appearance on the list as the toy has fallen out of popularity with younger generations. It seems collector’s items in this franchise are making a particular comeback with one Vintage G1 My Little Pony Orange Cotton Candy Flat Foot Unmarked Hoof selling for £1,022.28 after a number of bids on eBay despite not even having the original box.

Some more common My Little Pony numbers like the Funskool G1 1980s Blossom Pink Purple INDIA Foot earned £185. While the G1 MLP Advent Calendar, 1987 G1 Baby Pony with First Tooth Bouncy Boxed and 1984 Baby Liquorice Pink G1 all sold for just under £100.

A few collectable Barbie items rounded out the list, with the 2001 released Barbie Meadow mares horse selling for £928 as the rare item was in the original, unopened box. Barbie items have been in constant demand since Margot Robbie’s blockbuster last year, particularly any limited edition or collaboration dolls.

With a production history spanning over 65 years, the brand has released numerous collector’s dolls, including collaborations with luxury brands like Christian Dior. These Barbies can fetch between £100 and £200. The Juicy Couture Barbie, which was a hit on Christmas lists in the early 2000s, can now command around £175 per doll.