smartctl --test=short /dev/sdX smartctl --all /dev/sdX Check "SMART overall-health self-assessment test result: PASSED" just under the drive stats. If it fails

smartctl --test=short /dev/sdX smartctl --all /dev/sdX Check "SMART overall-health self-assessment test result: PASSED" just under the drive stats. If it fails, the drive is definitely very faulty. Any non-zero of the following would make me likely to reject. If you're in real need and can stretch your standards a little, five or fewer of any could be acceptable. Multi_Zone_Error_Rate Offline_Uncorrectable Reallocated_Sector_Ct Reported_Uncorrect Runtime_Bad_Block End-to-End_Error Non-zero Current_Pending_Sector may be a bad sign, but may also clear itself in time. Treat as above. Any non-zero, but not very large (i.e. obviously misinterpreted) of Command_Timeout. Power_on_hours more than 10,000 means a consumer disk is getting a bit old. If it runs above 45°C idle (depending on ambient) may also mean it's getting old or is worn. Any breached temperature threshold that isn't again, misinterpreted (i.e. 255°C). Any Old_age or Pre-fail attributes that breach the threshold indicate an old/unwell drive.