How quickly will I receive payment for my generator?

Payment is processed by BACS within 48 hours of collection. For larger deals, same-day payment terms can be discussed. Payment is issued once the generator has been received and verified against the agreed description.

Who buys used generators in the UK?

Powertech Generators is an active buyer of used diesel generators across the UK. We buy all makes and sizes — from small 10 kVA site units to large 2,500 kVA industrial sets — directly from businesses, facilities managers, construction companies, and individuals. We offer free valuations with offers within 24 hours.

What information do you need to make an offer on a generator?

At a minimum: make, model or engine type, kVA output, approximate hours run, whether the generator is currently running, and photos. Service records, if available, help support a higher offer. Access details for collection are also useful at the outset.

Do you collect generators from anywhere in the UK?

Yes. Powertech collects generators across England, Scotland, and Wales. We have our own transport and specialist lifting equipment for heavy or awkward units. Remote and difficult-access sites — including basements, rooftops, and confined plant rooms — are handled regularly. There is no collection fee for large industrial sets.

Can you decommission a generator that is still connected to a building?

Yes. Powertech offers full generator decommissioning services including electrical disconnection by qualified electricians, compliant fuel draining and disposal, and physical removal. We provide full waste carrier documentation. This service is suitable for industrial, commercial, and healthcare sites across the UK.

What brands of generator do you buy?

We buy generators from all major manufacturers including Perkins, Cummins, Caterpillar, Scania, Volvo Penta, FG Wilson, SDMO, Kohler, Pramac, Himoinsa, and Atlas Copco. We also buy alternator units from Stamford, Leroy Somer, and Mecc Alte. If your brand is not listed, contact us — if it generates power, we are likely interested.

Sell Your Generator

Free Valuation, Highest Prices Paid, UK-Wide Collection

If you’re looking to sell a used diesel generator — whether it’s a single unit on a building site or a fleet of industrial sets being decommissioned — Powertech Generators buys generators across the UK, directly, with no middlemen and no delays. We make offers within 24 hours and process payment within 48 hours of agreeing a price.

What Generators Do We Buy?

We buy diesel and gas generators of all makes, sizes, and conditions across the UK. Whether your unit is still running at full capacity or it has been stood idle for years, we want to hear from you.

Brands we buy

We purchase generators from all major manufacturers including:

Perkins
Cummins
Caterpillar (CAT)
Scania
Volvo Penta
FG Wilson
SDMO
Kohler
Pramac
Himoinsa
Atlas Copco
Stamford (alternators)
Leroy Somer (alternators)

Not on the list? Get in touch anyway — if it generates power, we are likely interested.

Sizes we buy

Small sets: 10 kVA to 60 kVA — portable generators, site units, emergency backup sets
Mid-range: 60 kVA to 350 kVA — commercial and light industrial
Large industrial: 350 kVA to 2,500 kVA — data centres, hospitals, utilities, construction
Containerised and skid-mounted units of any size

Conditions we buy

Fully operational generators with service history
Generators that need repair or have known faults
Non-running, seized, or flood-damaged units
Generators that haven’t run in years
Part generators and alternator units

The condition of your generator affects the price we offer — it does not affect whether we are interested. We assess honestly and offer accordingly.

★★★★★

“We needed to decommission three Cummins sets from a site we were vacating and had no idea where to start. Powertech handled the entire process — valuation, collection, decommissioning certificates, and payment within two days of collection. Could not have been smoother.”

James Hartley — Facilities Manager, NHS Trust

★★★★★

“Had a 250 kVA FG Wilson that had been sat unused for three years. Expected very little for it given the condition. Powertech came back with a fair offer and stuck to it. No renegotiation on the day, which I’d had from other buyers. Would use again.”

Dave Saunders — Plant Manager, Construction

★★★★★

“Sold two Perkins backup sets through Powertech. The whole process from first contact to payment took less than a week. They collected from our depot in Manchester without any issues. Excellent communication throughout.”

Sarah Okafor — Operations Director, Logistics

★★★★★

“Didn’t think anyone would take our Caterpillar — it hadn’t run in years and had some corrosion. Powertech assessed it honestly, gave us a price that reflected the condition, and took it away within the week. Refreshingly straightforward.”

Mark Elliot — Site Supervisor

What Affects the Value of Your Generator?

Knowing roughly what your generator is worth helps you make a faster decision. Here are the main factors that determine the offer we make:

kVA output: Higher output generators command significantly higher prices. A 500 kVA Cummins set is worth considerably more than a 50 kVA unit in equivalent condition.
Hours run: Lower hours mean more remaining engine life and a higher offer. A 2018 Perkins set with 1,500 hours will fetch more than the same unit with 12,000 hours.
Make and model: Perkins, Cummins, and Caterpillar engines hold their value best due to the availability of spares and strong market demand. Lesser-known brands attract lower offers.
Running condition: A generator that starts and runs under load is worth more than one that does not — but we buy both. Be honest about faults; it speeds up the process.
Age: Generally, units under 15 years old attract stronger interest. That said, well-maintained older sets from premium manufacturers remain saleable.
Canopy and housing: Soundproofed canopy sets fetch more than open sets of equivalent output because they are more versatile for buyers.
Service records: Documented service history adds value and credibility to the unit.

Diesel Generator Decommissioning and Removal Service

Selling a generator is rarely just about the sale — especially for large industrial sets. If your generator is connected to a building’s power infrastructure, fuel systems, or switchgear, removing it safely requires expertise, planning, and compliance documentation.

Powertech offers full generator decommissioning across the UK. Our trained operatives manage the entire process:

Electrical disconnection: Safe isolation and disconnection from building distribution boards, automatic transfer switches, and UPS systems, carried out by qualified electricians.
Fuel system management: Safe draining, removal, and compliant disposal of diesel fuel in accordance with Environment Agency guidance. We provide fuel disposal documentation.
Physical removal: We have the lifting equipment and transport to remove generators from basements, rooftops, plant rooms, and confined spaces. Any size, any location.
Environmental compliance: We are fully compliant with UK waste carrier regulations. All decommissioned units are handled under our Waste Carrier licence, and we provide full documentation for your records.
Site clearance: We leave the space clean and clear. No debris, no oil contamination, no damage to surrounding structures.

If you are upgrading to a new power system, relocating, closing a site, or simply retiring aging equipment, our decommissioning service removes the burden entirely. We handle the generator — you focus on your project.

Decommissioning is included in our offer for larger units. For smaller sets, it can be priced separately. Contact us for a site visit and decommissioning quote.

Install & Maintenance

We offer in-house project management, covering from start to finish.

Hire a Generator

We have a wide range of generators for hire. Get in touch for more info!

UK-Wide Generator Collection

We collect generators across England, Scotland, and Wales. Common collection areas include:

London and the South East
Midlands — Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham
North West — Manchester, Liverpool, Preston
Yorkshire — Leeds, Sheffield, Hull
North East — Newcastle, Sunderland, Teesside
Scotland — Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen
South West — Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth
Wales — Cardiff, Swansea, Newport

Remote or difficult-access sites are not a problem. We have handled collections from offshore facilities, remote agricultural sites, underground plant rooms, and city-centre rooftops. Tell us where you are and we will tell you how we get there.

Get a Free Valuation Today

Use the form below to tell us about your generator. Include as much detail as possible — make, model, kVA, hours run, condition notes, and photos. The more you give us, the faster and more accurate our offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a price for my generator?

Use the form at the bottom of this page. Give us the make, model, kVA rating, approximate hours run, and a few photos. Our buying team reviews every submission and responds within 24 hours with a firm offer. There is no obligation to accept.

Do you buy generators that are not working?

Yes. We buy generators in all conditions — running, faulty, non-starting, flood-damaged, and long-stood. The condition affects the price we offer, not whether we are interested. Be upfront about known faults and we will be upfront about the offer.

How quickly will I receive payment?

We process payment by BACS within 48 hours of collection. For large or complex deals, we can discuss same-day payment terms. We do not pay on collection — payment is processed once the generator has been received and inspected against the agreed description.

How quickly will I receive payment?

Do you buy single generators or can you handle a fleet?

Both. We regularly purchase single site units from individuals and entire generator fleets from facilities managers, hire companies, and large corporations clearing down assets. If you have multiple sets to sell, contact us directly rather than using the form — we will arrange a site visit.

What information do you need to make an offer?

The more detail the better, but at a minimum we need: make, model or engine type, kVA output, approximate hours run, whether the generator is currently running, and photos. Access constraints for collection are also useful at the outset.

Can you collect from anywhere in the UK?

Yes. We collect UK-wide. We have our own transport and can arrange specialist lifting for heavy or awkward units. There is no collection fee for large industrial sets — collection costs for smaller units are discussed at the point of offer.

Will you decommission a generator that is still connected?

Yes. We offer full decommissioning services including electrical disconnection, fuel draining and disposal, and physical removal. This is the most common scenario for large industrial sets. We handle all compliance documentation and leave the site clear.

Do I need service records to sell my generator?

No. Service records increase the value of your generator but they are not required to sell. We assess the physical condition of the unit and offer accordingly. If you have records, provide them — they will support a higher offer.

How do I know I am getting a fair price?

We are active buyers in the used generator market, which means we know current market values. We do not low-ball to create room for renegotiation — we make our best offer upfront. You are free to get quotes elsewhere, and we are confident in how we compare. Our reviews reflect the experience sellers have with our process.

Do you buy generator parts or alternators separately?

In some cases, yes. If you have a generator with a failed engine but a good alternator (Stamford, Leroy Somer, Mecc Alte), or vice versa, contact us directly. Parts buying is assessed case by case.