Whether you want to sell an idle robot or buy a used one, you can't avoid the same question: what is this machine actually worth? Used robots have no list price, but there is a method to valuing them. We've organised the five assessment dimensions we use every day in our own buyback and sales work — useful for buyers and sellers alike.
Dimension 1: Liquidity of the Brand and Model
All else being equal, mainstream models with a large installed base are clearly worth more: parts are easy to find, service resources are plentiful, there are more prospective buyers, and resale takes less time. Niche brands or models discontinued for years get marked down even in good condition, simply because they are hard to move. Step one of any assessment: check how actively the model trades on the used market.
Dimension 2: Year of Manufacture and Usage Intensity
The year of manufacture sets the machine's foundation; usage intensity sets its wear. Reading the cumulative running hours from the control cabinet is the most direct evidence: two five-year-old machines — one running two shifts at full load, the other powered on only occasionally — can be a generation apart in condition. A complete maintenance history adds clear value.
Dimension 3: Measured Condition of the Whole Machine
Judge condition by how it runs, not by how it's advertised: does it start up normally, is there any alarm history, does each axis run smoothly, what repeatability can actually be measured, and are there oil leaks or traces of collision repair? We recommend measuring and keeping records — when we buy or sell machines we inspect them point by point against the seven checkpoints, and the inspection records are handed over with the machine.
Dimension 4: Completeness of Accessories and Documentation
Whether the control cabinet, teach pendant and connecting cables form a complete set directly affects usability: the cost of replacing missing items has to be deducted from the price. Machines with program backups, parameter documentation and original manuals change hands smoothly and are worth more; a "bare machine" with nothing included means the buyer bears the cost of rebuilding the documentation.
Dimension 5: Market Conditions and Timing
Used prices follow the market: when lead times for new machines are long, in-stock used machines are in demand; when a brand cuts its new-machine prices, used prices for the same brand come under pressure. You don't have to sell at the exact peak, but knowing recent transaction levels gives you firmer ground for quotes and negotiation.
One Table to Fill In on Site
| Dimension | What to confirm on site | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Brand & model | Nameplate model, serial number, impression of installed base | □ Mainstream, liquid model □ Average □ Niche |
| Year & intensity | Year of manufacture, cumulative running hours, shift pattern | □ Light duty □ Normal □ Heavy duty |
| Overall condition | Start-up, alarm records, axis operation, precision, oil leaks | □ Good □ Needs maintenance □ Needs repair |
| Accessories & docs | Control cabinet, teach pendant, cables, programs and manuals | □ Complete set □ Missing items □ Bare machine |
| Market conditions | Recent trading and transactions for the same model | □ In demand □ Stable □ Under pressure |
Each dimension lands in one tier; the combination of tiers gives the machine's value range. If you're unsure about any tier, feel free to have us double-check.
After the Assessment: Three Paths
Want to sell: send us the nameplate photos and the assessment table above, and you'll get a preliminary buyback quote — inspection and assessment are free. Want to buy: inspect any machine against this table, or choose from our already-inspected and refurbished stock; inspection records are handed over with the machine. Want to keep using it: if the assessment shows a condition problem rather than an end-of-life problem, a maintenance visit or overhaul is often better value than replacing the machine.
Need a Free Assessment?
Henghuan Robotics has long been involved in buying and selling used robots, with first-hand market information on mainstream models. Send us the nameplate photos and a description of the current state — get a free preliminary estimate and disposal advice.
