Can you sell a compressor that does not work?
Yes. Repairers, people replacing one component and buyers who want a project all shop deliberately at this end. None of them will accept a fault they discover after paying.
What actually goes wrong with compressors
These are the faults that move a compressor down the grades, and the first things a buyer will ask about:
- Corroded or pitted tanks, a safety risk
- Pumps that will not reach rated pressure
- Leaking tank drain valves
- Missing hoses and fittings
Grading it honestly
Fair covers something heavily used, or with a described fault or missing part: around £22 to £135. For Parts covers something not working or incomplete, sold as seen: roughly £12 to £75. Grades are seller-declared and nobody inspects them for you, so grading up does not raise what you get — it produces a buyer who arrives expecting something else. All five grades explained.
Working out what you actually have
Establish the fault properly rather than guessing at it:
- Run it up to pressure and check it holds with the motor off
- Inspect the tank underneath for corrosion
- Open the drain valve and check for water and rust
Photographing the fault
Photograph the damage directly and in focus — it is the evidence that the rest of the description is honest:
- The compressor whole, from the side
- The tank underside and drain valve
- The pressure gauges with the tank at cut-out pressure
- The rating plate showing tank size, pressure and year, plus any rust or dent
What to state in the listing
Alongside the fault itself, buyers of broken compressors want these confirmed:
- Tank capacity in litres and maximum pressure
- Air delivery in CFM or litres per minute, which is what tools actually need
- Belt or direct drive, and motor power and supply
- Tank age, and whether it has been drained regularly
Tank size, pressure and output: “50L Air Compressor, 8 Bar, 9.6 CFM, Belt Drive”. Tank litres and air delivery are the searches, since buyers match them to a tool’s requirement. Belt drive versus direct drive is a real distinction on quality and noise.
What buyers will ask
Answer these in the listing rather than waiting to be asked:
Answer honestly. Water left in a receiver corrodes it from the inside, and internal corrosion is not visible from outside. It is the most important question about a used compressor.
Fill it, switch off and watch the gauge. A tank that bleeds down has a leak somewhere and the buyer needs to know.
Quote the figure from the plate. Buyers match it against the tool they want to run, and tank size alone does not tell them.
Is it worth repairing first?
Usually not, unless it is cheap and you can evidence it. What lifts the price is condition and completeness, which a repair rarely restores:
- Tanks with no external corrosion or pitting
- Pumps building to full pressure and holding
- Recognised brands with parts available
- Complete with hose, gauges and fittings
If the work would cost more than the gap between £75 and what a sound one fetches, sell it as is broken and let the buyer decide.
When to list it
Steady year round with a spring lift. Larger belt-drive machines sell to trade buyers whenever they appear.
Getting it to the buyer
Very heavy, so collection is normal. Drain the tank fully before it moves, both for weight and so the buyer can inspect it. Never transport a pressurised tank.
WishThrift does not process payments, arrange delivery or hold funds. Confirm the money has cleared before the item leaves your hands, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed.
Ready to list it? Free to list, no commission, and neither side pays a buyer-protection fee — create a free account, or read the full compressor selling guide if yours turns out to be sound.
Frequently asked questions
Is a broken compressor worth anything?
Yes — typically £12 to £75 at For Parts against £50 to £300 working. Repairers and people harvesting one component buy deliberately at this end. Corroded or pitted tanks, a safety risk
Should I repair it before selling?
Usually not, unless the repair is cheap and you can evidence it. The things that genuinely lift the price are tanks with no external corrosion or pitting and a repair rarely restores those.
What do buyers ask about a faulty compressor?
The fault itself, in detail. Answer honestly. Water left in a receiver corrodes it from the inside, and internal corrosion is not visible from outside. It is the most important question about a used compressor. The listing that answers it before being asked is the one that sells.
See also: what compressor is worth by condition · how to sell compressor · condition grades explained · all broken & damaged guides · all selling guides.