Business · 3 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Selling or scrapping old machinery: UK rules, value and removal
Your options at a glance
| Option | Best for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Sell to a used machinery dealer | Popular makes in working order | Quick, but the dealer needs a margin |
| Online or on-site auction | Several machines or a full site clearance | Fees and timing, buyer often arranges collection |
| Private sale | Single well-known machines | More work, and you need to manage collection safely |
| Scrap metal recycling | Worn out, obsolete or very old kit | Value depends on metal type and weight |
| Return or trade in | Leased or newer kit | Check finance and lease terms first |
Your duties when selling used machinery
Under section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, anyone who supplies articles for use at work has duties to make sure, so far as reasonably practicable, that they are safe when properly used. In practice, sellers of used machinery should:
- Pass on the manual, safety instructions and any test records you have
- Not remove guards, interlocks or emergency stops before sale
- Tell the buyer about any known faults or missing safety features
- Describe the machine honestly, including whether it is sold as seen or for spares
- Never sell a machine with a known dangerous defect for use as it is
The buyer then has their own duties under PUWER to make sure the machine is suitable and safe before it is used. Machinery imported from outside Great Britain and placed on the market here for the first time is treated differently from used machinery already in use here, so get advice if you are importing.
What makes a machine worth selling
- Well-known makes with a strong used market
- Working condition, ideally demonstrable under power
- Full tooling, accessories and manuals
- Service history and recent calibration or inspection records
- Modern controls, and safety features in place
- Easy access for collection
Old manual machines from respected makers often sell well to hobbyists and small workshops. Obsolete CNC machines with unsupported controls can be worth little more than scrap value.
Timing matters too. Dealers and auction houses often need a few weeks to market a machine, so start early if you are working to a lease end or site closure date.
Good photographs help a lot. Show the machine from all sides, the maker's plate, the controls, the slideways and any tooling included. A short video of the machine running under power gives buyers confidence and usually leads to better offers. If the machine cannot be powered up, say so plainly in the listing.
Scrapping machinery
Scrap value depends on the weight and the metals involved. Cast iron and steel machine bodies are worth less per tonne than copper, brass or aluminium. Motors, cable and transformers can be separated for better value. Scrap prices change frequently, so ask more than one yard for a current figure.
- Under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, licensed dealers in England and Wales cannot pay cash for scrap
- Dealers must record the seller's identity
- Fluids must be drained and disposed of correctly before scrapping
- Electrical and electronic parts may fall under the WEEE rules
- Use a licensed dealer and keep the paperwork for your records
Removal and cost
Removing a machine for sale or scrap still needs proper rigging, disconnection and transport. For heavy items, removal can cost more than the machine is worth, so it pays to compare options.
| Job | Typical guide cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Small workshop machine, ground floor, local scrap | £200 to £600 |
| Medium machine loaded onto buyer's vehicle | £300 to £900 |
| Large machine dismantled and removed | £1,000 to £4,000 or more |
| Full workshop clearance | Priced after survey |
Some dealers buy a machine and arrange collection themselves, which saves you the removal cost. If a machine has to go quickly, for example at the end of a lease, scrap or a dealer collection is usually the fastest route.
Before anything leaves site
- Check the machine is not on finance, lease or a hire agreement
- Remove company data from CNC controls, PCs and network devices
- Drain coolant, hydraulic oil and lubricants where required, and dispose of them as waste
- Get the machine isolated by an electrician
- Agree who loads it and check the buyer's vehicle and lifting gear are suitable
- Get a receipt or waste transfer note for your records
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to sell an old machine without a CE or UKCA mark?
Machinery already in use in Great Britain can generally be resold without new conformity marking, as the marking rules apply when machinery is first placed on the market. You still have duties as a supplier to make sure it is safe and to pass on information. Machinery imported from outside Great Britain for the first time is treated differently, so take advice in that case.
Can I get cash for scrap machinery?
Not from a licensed scrap metal dealer in England and Wales. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 bans cash payments for scrap metal, so dealers pay by bank transfer or cheque and must record your identity. Similar rules apply in Scotland. Be wary of anyone offering cash collection, as it may be an unlicensed operator.
Who should pay to remove a machine I have sold?
It is up to the agreement. Dealers and auction buyers often collect and load themselves, while private sales may expect the seller to load the machine onto the buyer's vehicle. Agree this in writing before the sale, including who provides lifting equipment, so nobody turns up with a van for a tonne-and-a-half lathe.
machinery disposal used machinery scrap metal resale
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