How to Sell Your Komatsu Excavator in the UK — The Complete 2026 Guide

Komatsu is the second-largest construction equipment manufacturer in the world, and in the UK it holds a particularly strong position in the mid-to-large tracked excavator market. If you own one and you're thinking about selling, the good news is that Komatsu excavators have a committed buyer base — both domestically and internationally — and well-maintained examples hold their value better than many owners expect.

That said, selling a Komatsu isn't quite the same as selling a JCB. The buyer pool is slightly different, the documentation requirements have some nuances, and knowing what your specific model is actually worth in today's market makes the difference between a good deal and leaving money behind.

This guide covers all of it — what Komatsu models we buy, what they're worth in 2026, what affects value, and how to sell without unnecessary delay or hassle.

What Komatsu Excavators Do We Buy?

At Plant Machinery Trading we buy the full range of Komatsu tracked and wheeled excavators, including:

Mini and compact excavators

• PC35MR, PC40MR, PC55MR — sub-6 tonne compact swing models
• PC78US, PC78MR — popular 7–8 tonne midi class

Midi excavators

• PC88, PC120, PC138US — the PC138 is one of the most traded Komatsu models in the UK; the US (zero-tail-swing) variant is particularly sought after
• PC160, PC170 — mid-range tracked machines, well-regarded on groundwork sites

Large tracked excavators

• PC210, PC228USLC — the PC210 is Komatsu's volume seller in the 20-tonne class and consistently in demand
• PC240, PC290 — strong mid-large machines, popular with plant hire companies and civils contractors
• PC360 — Komatsu's most capable and sought-after model in the UK for large civils and infrastructure work
• PC490, PC490LCi — heavy excavator; consistent demand from quarrying, large civils and demolition operators

Intelligent Machine Control (iMC) models

• PC210LCi, PC360LCi, PC490LCi — GPS-guided grading variants; these carry a premium both new and used, particularly for civils and groundwork buyers who want precision grading without a separate GPS system

Wheeled excavators

• PW148, PW160 — road-mobile wheeled variants; niche but consistent buyer base

We buy all generations and all conditions — working, high-hours, non-running, and damaged machines are all considered.

What Is My Komatsu Excavator Worth in 2026?

Komatsu values in the UK used market in 2026 remain solid. The brand's reputation for fuel efficiency, longevity, and strong hydraulic performance is well established among buyers, and export demand for quality Komatsu machines adds a floor to domestic pricing.

The table below gives indicative current market ranges. These are starting points — actual value depends on hours, condition, specification, service history, and undercarriage wear.

Values are indicative only. Get a free, accurate valuation for your specific machine at plantmachinerytrading.co.uk

What Affects the Value of a Used Komatsu Excavator?

Operating Hours

Hours are the first thing any serious Komatsu buyer will look at, and for good reason. Komatsu engines and hydraulic systems are built to last, but hours accumulate wear that's difficult to reverse. As a rule of thumb:

• Under 3,500 hours — still considered low use; commands a premium across all model sizes
• 3,500–7,000 hours — the sweet spot for most buyers; value depends heavily on maintenance
• 7,000–10,000 hours — lower-value bracket; condition and undercarriage become critical factors
• 10,000+ hours — specialist buyers only; price reflects refurbishment cost rather than operational value

Komatsu Service History

This is where Komatsu machines can really stand apart. The brand has one of the stronger dealer service record systems in the industry, and buyers — particularly plant hire companies and larger civils contractors — place a real premium on machines with documented Komatsu dealer history.

A complete Komatsu service record doesn't just confirm maintenance intervals have been met. It gives buyers confidence in the hour reading, in the condition of major components, and in the absence of serious prior incidents. Machines with full Komatsu history regularly achieve 8–15% more than equivalent machines with incomplete or third-party records.

Undercarriage Condition

On any tracked excavator, the undercarriage is one of the most scrutinised components — and on Komatsu machines, which tend to be worked hard on civils and groundwork sites, this matters particularly. A full undercarriage replacement on a PC210 can run to £12,000–£18,000. A PC360 undercarriage is considerably more.

Buyers assess:

• Track pad condition and remaining thickness
• Sprocket and idler wear
• Roller condition and any leaking seals
• Track tension and adjustment history

Undercarriage at 50% or below will be factored directly into any offer. Good undercarriage condition, documented through regular inspections, adds meaningfully to value.

Intelligent Machine Control (iMC) Specification

Komatsu's iMC system — available on the PC210LCi, PC360LCi, PC490LCi and others — integrates 3D GPS machine guidance directly into the excavator's hydraulic control system. The bucket follows a pre-programmed design surface automatically, which dramatically improves grading accuracy and reduces over-excavation.

In the UK civils and groundwork market, iMC machines command a premium over standard-spec equivalents. Buyers who work on infrastructure, housebuilding, and utilities projects are increasingly specifying iMC, and used iMC machines are actively sought. If you own one, that specification should feature prominently in any sale.

Attachments and Quick Hitch

A Komatsu excavator selling with a hydraulic quick hitch and a full complement of buckets — digging bucket, ditching bucket, grading bucket — is worth more than a stripped machine. Additional attachments (hydraulic breaker, selector grab, tilt rotator) can add significant value if they're compatible and in good working order.

Buyers will also check for hammer, shear, and rotate hydraulic circuits. Machines piped for these circuits — even without the attachments — are more versatile and command a premium over single-circuit machines.

Stage V Compliance

The introduction of Stage V emission standards in 2020 created a clear pricing divide in the UK and European market. Pre-Stage V machines face tightening restrictions on certain contracts and sites, and European buyers have increasingly specific requirements around emission compliance. If your machine is Stage V (post-2020), that compliance is an asset. If it's pre-Stage V, values are still solid for export and less regulated domestic markets, but the domestic UK premium over pre-Stage V has widened over the past two years.

Selling Your Komatsu PC138 — What to Expect

The PC138US is one of the most actively traded Komatsu models in the UK. The zero-tail-swing (US) configuration makes it particularly versatile — it can work in confined spaces, alongside structures, and in urban environments where a conventional tail-swing machine would need more clearance.

Current PC138US values in the UK (2026):

• 2016–2018, 5,000–8,000 hours: £35,000–£52,000
• 2018–2020, 3,000–6,000 hours: £45,000–£65,000
• 2020–2023, under 4,000 hours: £65,000–£90,000+

Key factors that move PC138 values: quick hitch specification, hydraulic circuits (four-way lines are strongly preferred by groundwork buyers), cab spec (air conditioning, camera system), and whether the machine is Stage V compliant.

Selling Your Komatsu PC210 — What to Expect

The PC210 is Komatsu's flagship volume seller — the most commonly owned Komatsu machine in the UK, and consistently one of the most actively traded in the used market. The PC210LC (long carriage) is the standard configuration; the PC228USLC is the zero-tail-swing alternative at a similar operating weight.

What makes the PC210 attractive to buyers is the combination of Komatsu's fuel-efficient SAA6D107E-series engine, the brand's reputation for longevity at high hours, and the strong support network through Komatsu UK and its dealer partners.

Current PC210 values in the UK (2026):

• 2015–2017, 6,000–9,000 hours: £45,000–£68,000
• 2018–2020, 4,000–7,000 hours: £65,000–£95,000
• 2020–2023, under 4,000 hours: £90,000–£130,000+
• PC210LCi (iMC spec), 2019–2022: add £8,000–£18,000 over standard spec

Selling Your Komatsu PC360 — What to Expect

The PC360 is Komatsu's most commercially significant large excavator in the UK market. It sits in the 36–38 tonne class, making it the machine of choice for large earthmoving, major civils, quarrying, and demolition work. Demand for quality used PC360s is consistently strong — both from domestic buyers and export markets.

Current PC360 values in the UK (2026):

• 2015–2018, 6,000–9,000 hours: £65,000–£95,000
• 2018–2021, 4,000–7,000 hours: £95,000–£140,000
• 2020–2023, under 5,000 hours, good undercarriage: £130,000–£175,000+

Machines with full Komatsu dealer service history from new, current thorough examination certificates, and iMC specification consistently achieve the top of these ranges.

What Paperwork Do You Need to Sell a Komatsu Excavator?

• Proof of ownership — original purchase invoice, or evidence of ownership transfer if the machine has changed hands
• CE Declaration of Conformity — for UK and European buyers; confirms compliance with machinery safety directives
• Thorough examination certificate — under PUWER and LOLER regulations, machines used for lifting operations require regular thorough examinations; buyers will ask for this on machines fitted with hydraulic lifting attachments or used in lifting roles
• Finance settlement confirmation — if the machine is on HP or conditional sale, a letter confirming settlement (or same-day arrangement)
• Service records — not mandatory but add meaningful value; Komatsu dealer records are particularly valued

When you sell to Plant Machinery Trading, we handle the ownership transfer documentation. You need your proof of ownership and finance clearance — we take care of the rest.

Why Sell Your Komatsu to Plant Machinery Trading?

We buy Komatsu excavators of all models and all conditions, with genuine market-based valuations and no unnecessary delays.

• Free valuation — within 24 hours, no obligation
• Honest pricing — based on current UK market data, not arbitrary numbers
• Same-day payment — bank transfer on collection day
• Free UK-wide collection — we come to you
• No fees or commission — the quoted price is what you receive
• All conditions accepted — working, non-running, high-hours, and damaged machines all bought
• Finance handled — we work with sellers to manage outstanding HP agreements
• International buyer network — we access export buyers who pay competitive prices for quality Komatsu machines

Whether you're selling a single PC138 or liquidating a fleet of PC360s, we're set up to handle it.

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