> Quick answer: A used UR5e in good condition costs £12,000 to £17,000 in the UK in 2026, roughly 40 to 55 percent below the new list price of around £28,000. It is the most supported cobot on the UK secondhand market, with the widest integrator network and the most available spare parts. Check the PolyScope diagnostic export for joint cycle counts and protective stop logs before buying.
The Universal Robots UR5e is the most commonly traded cobot on the UK secondhand market. When a factory upgrades its automation line, retools for a new product, or simply closes, the UR5e is frequently the unit that appears at auction or through a dealer. That familiarity is part of its appeal: the support infrastructure around the UR5e in the UK is broader than any other cobot, which makes it a lower-risk used purchase than a less common brand.
This guide is for UK buyers who are seriously considering a used UR5e. It covers what you need to know about the e-Series versus the older CB3 generation, how to perform a pre-purchase inspection, what a fair price looks like in the current market, and where to find units in the UK.
UR5e Specifications: What You Are Buying
The UR5e is a 6-axis collaborative robot arm with a 5 kg payload and 850 mm reach. It weighs 20.6 kg and can be mounted in any orientation. Key specifications:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Payload | 5 kg |
| Reach | 850 mm |
| Repeatability | ±0.03 mm |
| Weight | 20.6 kg |
| Degrees of freedom | 6 |
| Force sensing | Built-in at all joints (e-Series) |
| Controller | e-Series (CB-5) |
| IP rating (wrist) | IP54 |
| Power | 200W average |
The UR5e was introduced in 2018 as part of the e-Series redesign. The defining feature of the e-Series is built-in force-torque sensing at every joint, which enables force-controlled assembly, polishing, and precision insertion without adding an external sensor. This distinguishes it clearly from the earlier CB3 UR5.
e-Series vs CB3: Which Generation Are You Buying?
When shopping the used market you will encounter both the CB3 UR5 (produced from roughly 2015 to 2018) and the UR5e (e-Series, 2018 onward). These are different products that are not directly interchangeable. Understanding the differences prevents a costly mistake.
| Feature | UR5 (CB3) | UR5e (e-Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Controller | CB3 / CB3.1 | e-Series (CB-5) |
| Force sensing | None built-in | All 6 joints |
| Teach pendant | Resistive touchscreen | Capacitive touchscreen |
| PolyScope version | 3.x | 5.x |
| Safety rated I/O | Basic | Enhanced (PLd Cat3) |
| End-of-arm tool communication | Via wrist connector | Tool communication interface (TCI) |
| Typical used price | £7,000–£12,000 | £12,000–£17,000 |
The CB3 UR5 is a capable robot and perfectly suitable for many applications. It lacks built-in force sensing, which matters if your application involves assembly, insertion, or surface finishing. For straightforward pick-and-place, machine tending, and dispensing, the CB3 remains a valid choice at a lower price point.
The e-Series UR5e is preferable for any application requiring force feedback, and it is also the platform Universal Robots continues to develop. Software updates, new UR+ certified accessories, and future integrations are built around e-Series. If you are investing for the long term, the UR5e is the better choice.
Important: the CB3 controller will not run a UR5e arm, and the e-Series controller will not run a CB3 UR5 arm. Confirm which generation you are purchasing and that the arm and controller are matched.
Used UR5e Price Guide: UK 2026
Prices below are based on current UK secondhand market data. All prices include the robot arm and matched controller unless stated.
| Condition | Description | Typical UK Price |
|---|---|---|
| New / unused | Zero hours, still in original packaging | £24,000–£26,000 |
| Excellent | Low hours, full documentation, within warranty or recently serviced | £16,000–£18,000 |
| Good | Moderate use, clean, all functions verified, documentation present | £13,000–£16,000 |
| Fair | Higher hours, cosmetic wear, functions correctly, limited documentation | £10,000–£13,000 |
| For parts / repair | Fault present, missing components, or uncertain history | £4,000–£8,000 |
Prices for arm only (no controller) typically run £3,000 to £5,000 below the above figures. A used e-Series controller alone sells for £3,500 to £5,500.
Prices at auction can fall below these ranges, particularly for lots with incomplete documentation or where the buyer bears inspection risk. Factor in the cost of a UR-trained service engineer for a pre-purchase inspection if you are not confident assessing the unit yourself: this typically costs £200 to £400 and is almost always worth it on a purchase above £10,000.
Pre-Purchase Inspection: What to Check
A thorough pre-purchase inspection of a used UR5e takes approximately 90 minutes and should cover the following areas.
1. PolyScope Diagnostic Export
Ask the seller to export the robot log from PolyScope (Settings > Log > Export to USB). The log file includes:
- Cumulative joint travel per axis (in degrees)
- Protective stop count and causes
- Error history with timestamps
- Software version history
High protective stop counts are not necessarily a red flag: a robot used in a demanding collision-detection application will accumulate stops legitimately. Examine the causes. Repeated joint overtemperature stops or recurring specific error codes warrant further investigation.
Joint travel data gives a proxy for cumulative load. Universal Robots does not publish a rated joint life in cycles (unlike some competitors), but very high travel on specific joints relative to others can indicate an unusual use case or repeated stress on one axis.
2. Joint Backlash Check
Power the robot on and command each joint through its full range. Listen for any grinding, clicking, or irregular resistance. Physically attempt to induce backlash at the wrist joints by hand (with the robot powered but in free-drive mode): a small amount of play is normal, but perceptible lash at the wrist suggests worn strain-wave gearboxes.
Strain-wave gearbox replacement on a UR5e is possible but expensive: budget £1,500 to £3,000 per joint for parts and labour from a UR-authorised service centre.
3. Cable and Connector Condition
Inspect the entire cable run from the base to the wrist. Look for:
- Chafing or cuts on the outer jacket
- Strain relief failure at the wrist connector
- Corrosion at the tool flange connector pins
- Any evidence of DIY repair or splicing
The internal cable harness on a UR5e runs through the arm and is not a user-serviceable item. Damage to the external cable run is usually repairable; internal harness damage is a more serious issue.
4. Safety Configuration and Password
Ask the seller whether the safety configuration password is available. Without it, you cannot modify the safety parameters, mounting position, or joint limits. In practice, the factory-reset procedure resets the safety password but also wipes all programs: plan to reprogram the robot if the password is unavailable.
5. End-of-Arm Tooling and Accessories
Confirm what is included. A bare UR5e arm and controller is the minimum viable purchase, but the following add significant value:
- Teach pendant (included standard but sometimes sold separately)
- Mounting bracket or base plate
- End-of-arm tooling (grippers, camera systems, dispensing heads)
- Original documentation, CE declaration of conformity, risk assessment from previous installation
UK Integrators and Support
The UR5e has the most extensive support network of any cobot in the UK. The following types of providers can assist with used UR5e commissioning, servicing, and reprogramming:
- Universal Robots authorised distributors: provide warranty service and spare parts. Used units purchased from a UR-authorised dealer may include a limited warranty.
- UR-certified system integrators: there are dozens across the UK. Many will inspect a used UR5e pre-purchase, and most will commission a used unit for a client.
- Independent robotics service companies: a growing number of UK companies service UR cobots independently. These are often lower cost than authorised channels for maintenance and inspection.
For spare parts, both Universal Robots direct and third-party suppliers such as Robohub and various European distributors hold UR5e parts in the UK. Joint modules, teach pendants, and controller components are generally available with lead times of days rather than weeks.
Common Applications for a Used UR5e
The UR5e's 5 kg payload and 850 mm reach make it suitable for a wide range of UK manufacturing and laboratory applications:
- Machine tending: loading and unloading CNC machines, injection moulding machines, and test equipment
- Assembly: component insertion, fastening, and light press operations (force sensing helps here)
- Pick-and-place: packaging, palletising of light loads, sorting
- Dispensing and application: glue, solder paste, coatings
- Quality inspection: presenting parts to cameras, coordinate measuring, gauging
- Laboratory automation: sample handling, plate management, pipetting (with appropriate tooling)
The UR5e is not appropriate for applications requiring more than 5 kg payload, a reach beyond 850 mm, or environments where IP54 protection is insufficient (heavy coolant, washdown, food processing).
Buying Checklist Summary
Before committing to a purchase, verify the following:
- [ ] Confirm generation: UR5e (e-Series) or UR5 (CB3), and that arm and controller match
- [ ] Request PolyScope log export, review joint travel and stop history
- [ ] Power on and run all joints through full range of motion
- [ ] Check wrist cable condition and connector pin integrity
- [ ] Confirm safety configuration password is available or reset procedure is understood
- [ ] Confirm software version and update path
- [ ] Check for CE declaration of conformity and original risk assessment documentation
- [ ] Agree what accessories, tooling, and documentation are included in the sale
Where to Find Used UR5e Robots in the UK
The best sources for used UR5e units in the UK in 2026:
- Robot AutoTrader: the UK's dedicated used robot marketplace. Browse the UR5e listings and check the resale index for current market value data.
- Industrial auctions: Troostwijk, Euro Auctions, and Hilco Industrial regularly list UR cobots from factory decommissions.
- Specialist robotics dealers: companies including Robots Done Right (UK), Surplec, and several UR-authorised distributors offer inspected and refurbished units.
- Direct from factories: worth asking your network. Factories upgrading from UR5e to UR10e or UR16e may sell directly.
For an overview of the wider used cobot market in the UK, the used cobot buyers guide covers all major brands side by side. If you are comparing the UR5e against ABB or Dobot at similar payload, the ABB GoFa and YuMi guide and Dobot CR guide are useful reference points.
The Robot AutoTrader robot database lists full specifications for the UR5e and all related Universal Robots models.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a used UR5e cost in the UK? A used UR5e in good condition typically sells for £12,000 to £17,000 in the UK, compared to around £28,000 new. Price varies by age, joint cycle count, and whether a controller and teach pendant are included.
What is the difference between the UR5e and the older UR5 CB3? The UR5e is the e-Series generation, launched in 2018, and offers built-in force-torque sensing at every joint, a redesigned teach pendant with a capacitive touchscreen, and improved safety I/O. The older CB3 UR5 uses a different controller and lacks built-in force sensing. Programs must be adapted when moving between generations; they are not drop-in interchangeable.
How do I check joint cycle counts on a used UR5e? Export the PolyScope log from the controller (Settings > Log > Export) to a USB drive. The resulting CSV includes cumulative joint travel per axis in degrees, protective stop counts, and error history.
Can I buy a used UR5e without a controller? Yes, the robot arm and controller are sometimes sold separately. The UR5e requires the e-Series (CB-5) controller; a CB3 controller from an older UR5 will not run a UR5e arm. Budget approximately £3,500 to £5,500 for a used e-Series controller separately if needed.
Is a used UR5e a good choice for UK SMEs? Yes. The UR5e is the most widely deployed cobot in UK manufacturing and has the largest integrator network in the country. A used UR5e at £12,000 to £15,000 with a functioning controller offers a practical entry point for a wide range of applications.
What UK support is available for a used UR5e? Universal Robots has an authorised distributor and service network across the UK. Many UK system integrators are UR Certified and will service used units on a time-and-materials basis. Spare parts are generally available with short lead times from authorised and independent suppliers.