I have found an iPhone 13 512Gb New on eBay for £230 cheaper than the Apple UK site, How is this possible?

I should have added that "works" doesn't just mean if it turns on.

Apple has two related features, Activation Lock ( Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support ) and Find My ( iCloud+ - Find My - Apple ), which are designed to prevent anyone else from using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch if it's ever lost or stolen. Deactivation of either requires knowing the Apple ID and password that set the feature, or by placing a special request to Apple to reset the device (this requires you have the original receipt). This Apple ID information essentially defines the current ownership of the device.

It is not unusual to see posts here from people who purchased secondhand iPhones only to find that they are activation locked. This is not something you can check yourself in advance. You have to check it on the device itself and by that time sometimes the vendor won't refund you money, even if they bother replying.

Maybe it is stolen?

Frankly there are many posts by people on this forum who bought an iPhone over ebay only to find their were scammed. I'm not saying there 's aren't honest sellers too but you can't tell if a phone really works until you have it, by which time it is too late to try to get a refund on the ones that are scams.

👉 Read this before you buy a 2nd hand iPhone.