The short version
- Typical range: £80 – £500
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Tools & DIY
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used generator is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for generators, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £500 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £425 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £325 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £225 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £125 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
These are the five grades WishThrift listings use, and sellers set the grade themselves — see what each condition grade means. Figures are shown in pounds as a reference point. On WishThrift prices display in your own currency, and sellers set their own asking price.
What raises the value of a generator
- 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
What lowers it
- 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
How to work out what yours is worth
- 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
Once you have those three answers you can place your own generator on the table above with reasonable confidence. If it sits between two rows, price it toward the lower one — items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully.
Ready to sell it? Listing on WishThrift is free, there is no commission, and you keep the full amount you agree with the buyer — see how selling works or create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check on a used generator?
That it starts from cold and runs steadily under load. Most problems are stale fuel and gummed carburettors rather than serious faults.
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.
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