What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £500 (~$666) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £425 (~$566) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £325 (~$433) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £225 (~$300) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £125 (~$167) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Cordless tools sold without batteries or a charger, which can cost more to replace than the tool is worth, and worn brushes on corded tools.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a generator is worth what is being asked:
- Hard starting from stale fuel and gummed carburettors
- High running hours with no service history
- Noisy open-frame models in residential use
- Corroded fuel tanks
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Inverter generators, which are quieter and cleaner
- Low running hours with documented servicing
- Starts readily from cold
- Clean fuel system with no stale petrol residue
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeit batteries and chargers are widespread and are a genuine fire risk. Fake tools themselves are rarer but exist in the premium brands.
Ask which battery platform it takes, exactly what is included, and for a photograph of the tool running. Buy batteries from a reputable source rather than with the tool.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about a generator, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Start it from cold and answer from that. Stale fuel is the usual reason a stored generator will not start, and a machine that starts readily is worth substantially more.
Say plainly. Inverter generators produce power clean enough for laptops and sensitive electronics, and buyers who need that will not risk a conventional set.
Give continuous and peak figures. Buyers are matching it to a specific load, and quoting only the peak figure is misleading.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Start it from cold and run it under load
- Note the running hours if a meter is fitted
- Drain and refresh the fuel before demonstrating
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The whole generator from a three-quarter angle
- The control panel with every socket and the breaker visible
- The engine, plate and hours meter if fitted
- The fuel tank, oil filler and any rust, leak or damage
Details to confirm before you commit
- Continuous and peak output in watts
- Fuel type, tank capacity and approximate run time
- Whether it is an inverter generator, and what sockets it has
- Running hours if known, service history, and that it has been tested under load
Live generator listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse tools & diy for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
Lifts in autumn and winter around storm season and power cuts, and in summer for events and camping. Tested working machines sell quickly whenever demand spikes.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have a generator sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell generator for what to photograph and how to price, or what generator is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used generator?
Around £52 to £325 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check a generator before buying?
Ask which battery platform it takes, exactly what is included, and for a photograph of the tool running. Buy batteries from a reputable source rather than with the tool.
Is buying a generator second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Cordless tools sold without batteries or a charger, which can cost more to replace than the tool is worth, and worn brushes on corded tools.
See also: all buying guides · generator value guide · selling generator · Tools & DIY · condition grades.