New cobots are priced to move units from global distribution networks with extended lead times. Used cobots are priced to move quickly, from warehouses, auction floors, and liquidation sales. The gap between those two pricing regimes is where UK businesses can make genuinely transformative purchasing decisions -- getting production-ready automation for a fraction of capital expenditure.
This guide covers what used cobots actually cost in the UK in 2026, by brand and model, and explains what drives the price difference between two ostensibly similar units.
> Quick Answer: Used cobots in the UK sell at 40-55% below new list price. A used UR5e sells for £12,000-£17,000 versus £28,000 new. A used UR10e sells for £15,000-£22,000 versus £35,000 new. The key variables are controller generation (e-Series commands a premium over CB3), total joint cycles, and whether the unit includes a controller, teach pendant, and cabling. Buy from a UK refurbisher with at least a 90-day warranty for your first purchase.
Used Cobot Price Table: UK Market 2026
The following prices reflect typical transaction ranges observed in the UK used robot market as of Q4 2026. Prices at the lower end of each range reflect older controller generations, high cycle counts, or private sale conditions. Prices at the upper end reflect recent models, low hours, full controller and cabling included, and refurbisher warranty.
| Model | Payload | New Price (approx.) | Used Price Range (UK) | Discount vs New |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Robots UR3e | 3 kg | £18,000 | £8,000-£12,000 | 33-56% |
| Universal Robots UR5e | 5 kg | £28,000 | £12,000-£17,000 | 39-57% |
| Universal Robots UR10e | 10 kg | £35,000 | £15,000-£22,000 | 37-57% |
| Universal Robots UR16e | 16 kg | £40,000 | £18,000-£27,000 | 33-55% |
| Universal Robots UR20 | 20 kg | £50,000 | £28,000-£38,000 | 24-44% |
| Universal Robots UR5 (CB3) | 5 kg | N/A (discontinued) | £6,000-£10,000 | -- |
| Universal Robots UR10 (CB3) | 10 kg | N/A (discontinued) | £8,000-£14,000 | -- |
| Dobot CR5 | 5 kg | £12,000 | £4,000-£7,000 | 42-67% |
| Dobot CR10 | 10 kg | £18,000 | £7,000-£12,000 | 33-61% |
| FANUC CRX-5iA | 5 kg | £28,000 | £14,000-£20,000 | 29-50% |
| FANUC CRX-10iA | 10 kg | £35,000 | £17,000-£25,000 | 29-51% |
| ABB GoFa 5 (CRB 15000-5) | 5 kg | £30,000 | £18,000-£25,000 | 17-40% |
| ABB GoFa 10 (CRB 15000-10) | 10 kg | £38,000 | £22,000-£30,000 | 21-42% |
| Doosan M0609 | 6 kg | £28,000 | £12,000-£19,000 | 32-57% |
| KUKA LBR iiwa 7 | 7 kg | £55,000 | £20,000-£35,000 | 36-64% |
Prices are indicative ranges for UK transactions. VAT excluded. Prices assume controller included unless otherwise stated.
What Affects Used Cobot Price
Controller Generation: e-Series vs CB3
For Universal Robots, this is the single largest price driver. The e-Series platform (launched 2018) introduced built-in wrist force-torque sensing, higher default TCP speeds, improved safety certification, and an updated PolyScope interface. CB3 units (UR3, UR5, UR10) are no longer manufactured but remain fully supported for software updates and spare parts.
A used UR5e commands a 25-40% premium over a comparable used UR5 (CB3). Whether that premium is justified depends entirely on your application. If you need force sensing for assembly, polishing, or insertion tasks, the e-Series is mandatory. For basic machine tending or palletising, a CB3 unit performs identically and costs significantly less.
Total Joint Cycles
Cobots use harmonic drives in each joint. These are precision components with finite service lives, typically rated to several hundred thousand cycles per joint. High cycle counts do not mean imminent failure, but they do indicate reduced remaining service life and potentially increased backlash (positional deviation from the programmed path).
Universal Robots PolyScope provides direct access to joint cycle counts and temperature history. Request this data before any purchase and compare against the manufacturer's service interval specifications. Joints approaching or exceeding 80% of rated cycles should be reflected in the asking price.
Controller and Cabling Included
A cobot arm without its controller is worth significantly less. Universal Robots arms require a matched UR Control Box; FANUC CRX units require the R-30iB Plus controller. Replacement controllers bought separately typically cost £3,000-£8,000 new, and used controllers without matching arms are uncommon.
Always confirm that a used cobot listing includes the matched controller, teach pendant, power cable, and robot cable. If any of these are missing, negotiate accordingly or walk away.
Age and Operating Environment
A five-year-old cobot that ran one shift per day in a clean electronics facility is in far better condition than a two-year-old unit that ran three shifts in a food processing plant with regular washdowns. Operating environment is more predictive of condition than age alone. Ask for the application history, including duty cycle (shifts per day), environment (food, pharma, electronics, automotive), and any incident reports.
End-of-Arm Tooling
Many used cobot listings include end-of-arm tooling -- grippers, vacuum cups, force-torque sensors, vision systems. This tooling can be worth thousands of pounds but is only valuable if it fits your application. Do not let included tooling inflate the base price of the cobot beyond what the arm itself is worth.
What to Inspect Before Buying
Universal Robots: PolyScope Diagnostic
For any used Universal Robots, require access to the PolyScope diagnostic screen before purchase. Navigate to About > System Information and export the full robot configuration log. This shows:
- Total power-on time (hours)
- Total motion time (hours)
- Joint cycle counts for each of the six joints
- Fault log with timestamps
Compare joint temperatures during a 15-minute test run against nominal operating ranges. Joints running consistently above 55C during light duty suggest worn bearings or contaminated joint seals.
ABB GoFa: RobotStudio Log
ABB GoFa and YuMi units log comprehensive operational data accessible via RobotStudio. Request that the seller exports the event log and backs it up before the viewing. Key metrics are motion time, safety function activations, and any protective stop events with associated fault codes.
Physical Inspection Checklist
Regardless of brand, complete the following physical checks:
- Joint backlash test: Hold the TCP and manually attempt to move it while powered but stationary. Any perceptible play in the joints indicates worn harmonic drives.
- Cable routing: Inspect the robot cable from arm base to controller for cuts, kinks, or damaged sheathing. Replacement cables cost £400-£800.
- Teach pendant: Test every button and the emergency stop. Cracked screens or sticky buttons indicate heavy use or physical impacts.
- Base mounting: Check the base for signs of misalignment or impact damage. Cobots mounted at angles outside manufacturer specifications can develop premature joint wear.
- Controller fans and filters: Open the controller and inspect the cooling fans and air filters. Heavy dust accumulation suggests poor maintenance. Replace filters (typically under £50) before commissioning.
Best Value Picks by Use Case
Light Assembly and Electronics: Used UR5e or Dobot CR5
For payload requirements under 5 kg and precision assembly tasks, a used UR5e offers the best combination of ecosystem support, used market liquidity, and UK integrator availability. Expect to pay £12,000-£17,000 for a good condition unit with controller. If budget is the primary constraint, the Dobot CR5 at £4,000-£7,000 used provides capable performance for less demanding applications, with the tradeoff of a less mature UK support network.
Machine Tending (5-10 kg): Used UR10e or FANUC CRX-10iA
For machine tending applications requiring consistent door-open/part-load/part-unload cycles, both the UR10e and FANUC CRX-10iA are strong choices used. The UR10e has a larger UK integrator base; the CRX-10iA offers FANUC's industrial reliability with cobot safety certification.
Welding and Surface Treatment: Used KUKA LBR iiwa 7
The KUKA LBR iiwa 7 is unique among cobots for its built-in joint torque sensing on all seven axes, enabling genuine force-controlled welding path tracking. New units cost £55,000+; used units can be found for £20,000-£35,000. For applications requiring compliance and force feedback, this represents exceptional value.
High Payload (16+ kg): Used UR16e or UR20
Above 16 kg payload, used cobot options narrow considerably. The UR16e and UR20 are the dominant options. At £18,000-£27,000 used, the UR16e is the entry point for high-payload collaborative automation at costs that undercut new entry-level industrial robots.
UK Cobot Market Outlook
The UK used cobot market is maturing. Volume is increasing as early adopters from 2018-2021 reach the end of their first automation cycles and either upgrade or exit. This is creating steady supply of used UR5e, UR10e, and UR16e units from genuine industrial deployments.
Price pressure from new Chinese entrants (Dobot, Elephant Robotics, Jaka) is also compressing used prices for legacy models. A used UR5 (CB3) that sold for £14,000 in 2022 now typically sells for £6,000-£10,000. This represents a genuine opportunity for UK SMEs entering automation for the first time.
For buyers on the fence between new and used: a used UR5e at £15,000 versus a new Dobot CR5 at £12,000 is a real decision with merits on both sides. The UR offers a larger integrator network and better used market liquidity if you resell; the Dobot offers new condition and a warranty. For a first deployment, the used UR is often the smarter choice given the depth of UK PolyScope expertise.
Browse available used cobots on Robot AutoTrader or review detailed model information in the robot database.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a used cobot cost in the UK? Used cobots in the UK typically cost 40-55% less than new. A used UR5e sells for £12,000-£17,000 versus £28,000 new. A used UR10e sells for £15,000-£22,000 versus £35,000 new. Smaller models like the Dobot CR5 can be found used for £4,000-£7,000.
Are used cobots reliable? Yes, provided you conduct proper inspection before purchase. Cobots have no wear items that fail suddenly. Joint harmonic drives degrade gradually and show up as increased backlash in diagnostic data. Most used cobots in the UK market have been decommissioned from pilot projects or production reconfigurations rather than run to failure.
What is the difference between UR e-Series and CB3? e-Series (UR3e, UR5e, UR10e) uses a newer controller with wrist force-torque sensing and higher TCP speeds. CB3 models are discontinued but supported. e-Series commands a 15-25% premium used. For force-sensitive applications, e-Series is essential; for simple pick-and-place, CB3 offers excellent value.
Which cobot brand has the best UK used market liquidity? Universal Robots dominates. UR5e and UR10e units are most common, with dozens available at any time. FANUC CRX is a growing presence. ABB GoFa and Doosan are available in smaller volumes.
Do used cobots come with warranties? Reputable UK refurbishers offer 3-6 month warranties. Private sales rarely include warranties. Budget £500-£1,500 for an independent inspection by a certified integrator if buying without a warranty.
Should I buy from a refurbisher or direct from a business? Refurbishers inspect, test, and document units before sale and typically provide short warranties. Direct business sales are cheaper but riskier. For a first cobot purchase, buying from a refurbisher adds meaningful protection for a modest premium. For experienced buyers who know how to conduct their own inspection, direct business sales offer the best prices.
What other guides should I read? See the full used cobot and industrial robot buyers guide, the Robot Resale Index for depreciation data, and the ABB GoFa and YuMi guide for brand-specific detail.