Sell Your Generator in the US

Used generators in the US typically sell for $110 to $675. Generators are judged on running hours and how they start, and a machine that has sat unused for years is often harder to sell than a used one.

What generators are worth in the US

Condition	Typical	What it means
New with Tags	$673	Unused, tags or seals intact
Like New	$572	Barely used, no visible wear
Good	$437	Light signs of use, complete and working
Fair	$303	Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part
For Parts	$168	Not working or incomplete, sold as seen

Guide ranges converted from sterling at the 2 August 2026 rate, not quotes — sellers set their own price. Grades are seller-declared; WishThrift does not inspect or verify them.

What lifts the price

Inverter generators, which are quieter and cleaner
Starts readily from cold

What pulls it down

High running hours with no service history
Corroded fuel tanks

Selling a generator in the US

Peer-to-peer payment apps dominate private sales, and buyers will usually offer one before they offer cash. Sales tax does not apply to a private sale between individuals.

The US resale market is enormous and highly local — most transactions still happen between people within driving distance of each other, and buyers expect to collect rather than wait for a courier.

Distances are the real constraint. State plainly whether you will ship or collection only, because a buyer three states away will otherwise ask.

Working out what yours is worth

Start it from cold and run it under load
Drain and refresh the fuel before demonstrating

Getting it ready

Check the oil, drain the fuel before transport, and note the fuel type and tank capacity.
Test every socket with something you can see working, and check the RCD or breaker if fitted.

Photograph

The control panel with every socket and the breaker visible
The engine, plate and hours meter if fitted

Put in the description

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

Output, type and fuel: “2.5kW Petrol Generator, Inverter, 4 Stroke”. Output in watts or kilowatts is the search, and inverter models are a distinct and higher bracket because they produce clean power for electronics. Say the fuel type and whether it has been serviced.

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.

It costs nothing to list

There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the $673 a buyer pays is the $673 you keep. You and the buyer settle up and arrange the handover between yourselves; WishThrift does not hold the money or ship the item.

Where in the US

The United States is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of the United States with their own page for generators.

Common questions

Where can I sell a generator in the US?

List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Peer-to-peer payment apps dominate private sales, and buyers will usually offer one before they offer cash. Sales tax does not apply to a private sale between individuals.

Does it start easily?

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.

Are inverter generators worth more?

Yes, noticeably. They are quieter and produce cleaner power for electronics, which matters to most buyers.

Should I drain the fuel before selling?

Run it on fresh fuel to demonstrate it, then drain for transport. Stale fuel is the most common reason these will not start.

More: how to sell a generator, what generators are worth, or Tools & DIY across the United States.