Mobile elevating work platforms — MEWPs, access platforms, scissor lifts, boom lifts, cherry pickers — are among the most widely used and actively traded pieces of plant in the UK. Construction, facilities management, utilities, events, film and TV, warehousing, and maintenance all depend on them. When your fleet refreshes or your contract ends, the used MEWP market is active and liquid — but the value depends heavily on LOLER certification status, hours, and brand.
This guide covers what your access platform is worth in 2026, what buyers look for, and the most straightforward way to sell.
Types of Access Platform — What Do You Have?
Scissor Lift
The most common MEWP type in the UK. A scissor lift raises a platform vertically using a crossed, folding support structure — hence the name. Scissor lifts are available in electric (for indoor use on smooth surfaces) and diesel or rough terrain (for outdoor and uneven ground) variants.
Key specifications: platform height (typically 6–18 metres on standard models), platform capacity (usually 230–450kg), drive type (electric or diesel), and whether the machine is rough terrain or slab (smooth surface only).
Major scissor lift manufacturers:
- Genie — GS series; GS-1330, GS-1930, GS-2032, GS-2632, GS-3232, GS-3369 (electric slab); GS-2669 RT, GS-3369 RT, GS-4069 RT (rough terrain diesel). Genie is the most recognised brand in the UK market and commands a consistent resale premium.
- JLG — 1930ES, 2030ES, 2630ES, 3246ES (electric); 2658RTS, 3369RTS, 4394RT (rough terrain). JLG sits alongside Genie at the top of the UK market in terms of brand familiarity and resale value.
- Skyjack — SJ3219, SJ3220, SJ4626, SJ4632, SJ6826 (electric); SJ6832 RT, SJ9250 RT (rough terrain). Skyjack is known for straightforward, reliable electrics and good resale values particularly in the hire market.
- Haulotte — Compact 8, Compact 10, H12 SX, H15 SX, H18 SX (electric); H15 RTJ, H18 RTJ (rough terrain). French manufacturer with strong UK presence, particularly in the hire sector.
- Manitou — 123 ESTA, 150 AETJ, 200 ATJ+ scissor platform range; growing UK MEWP presence alongside their telehandler business.
- Snorkel — S2632E, S3219E, S3226E (electric); S3370RT, S4390RT (rough terrain). Value brand with good reliability record in hire fleets.
Boom Lift (Articulated and Telescopic)
A boom lift uses a hydraulic arm — either articulated (knuckle boom) or telescopic (straight boom) — to position the platform. Boom lifts offer far greater outreach and working height than scissor lifts, and can work over obstacles that a scissor lift cannot reach.
Articulated boom lifts (knuckle booms / cherry pickers):
- Genie Z series — Z-30/20N, Z-34/22, Z-45/25J, Z-51/30J, Z-62/40, Z-80/60 — the most widely sold articulated boom range in the UK; the Z-45/25J and Z-62/40 are the most commonly traded models
- JLG articulated — 340AJ, 450AJ, 460SJ, 600AJ, 660SJ, 800AJ, 860SJ — strong alternative to Genie with comparable resale values
- Haulotte — HA12 IP, HA15 IP, HA20 BI-ENERGY, HA260 PX — diesel and bi-energy (diesel/electric) variants; popular in UK hire fleets
- Niftylift — HR12, HR15, HR17, HR21 — British manufacturer; well regarded in the UK market with good dealer support; HR12 is one of the most commonly seen Niftylift models in the used market
- Skyjack — SJ45AJ, SJ63AJ articulated range
Telescopic boom lifts:
- Genie S series — S-40, S-45, S-60, S-65, S-80, S-85, S-100, S-105, S-120, S-125 — the leading telescopic boom brand globally; S-65 and S-85 are the most commonly traded in the UK
- JLG telescopic — 450AJ, 600S, 660SJ, 800S, 860SJ, 1250AJP — direct Genie competitor across all height classes
- Manitou — 200 ATJ+, 260 TJ+ telescopic platform range
Spider Lift
A specialist category growing rapidly in the UK market. Spider lifts use extendable outrigger legs (resembling a spider) to stabilise on uneven or confined ground, allowing access in locations that a conventional wheeled boom lift cannot reach — churchyards, gardens, steep terrain, narrow gate accesses.
Key spider lift manufacturers:
- Hinowa — Italian manufacturer; the most commonly seen spider lift brand in the UK; LightLift series (12.70, 17.75, 20.10, 33.17) and Goldlift series — the Hinowa 17.75 and 20.10 are the most actively traded models
- Teupen — German manufacturer; LEO series (18T, 23GT, 32T, 47GT) — premium build quality and strong resale values; the Teupen LEO 23GT and 32T are particularly sought after
- Platform Basket — Italian manufacturer; S series (22, 28, 35) — competitive alternative to Hinowa
- Jekko — Italian manufacturer; SPX series (532, 635) — increasingly seen in UK arboricultural and specialist access applications
Trailer-Mounted Boom (Towable Cherry Picker)
A boom lift mounted on a road-legal trailer chassis, towed by a van or pickup and deployed at the work site. Widely used by tree surgeons, electricians, telecoms engineers, and small access contractors.
Key manufacturers:
- Niftylift — TM series (TM12, TM16, TM18) — the most commonly seen towable boom brand in the UK
- Dino — D14 TVF, D18 TVF — Italian manufacturer with good UK presence
- Time Access (formerly Biljax) — 28H and 37H — towable self-levelling platforms
Push-Around / Non-Powered (NAPS)
Manually propelled platforms for low-level access indoors — warehouses, schools, retail, facilities management. Very active used market.
Key brands: Power Tower (Pop-Up range), Lyte Industries, Werner.
What Is My MEWP Worth in 2026?
MEWP values depend heavily on LOLER certificate status, hours, brand, drive type, and condition. The following are indicative current market values:
Electric scissor lifts
| Model | Year | Hours | Approx. Value (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genie GS-1930 / JLG 1930ES | 2017–2020 | 500–1,500 | £4,500–£8,000 |
| Genie GS-2632 / JLG 2630ES | 2018–2021 | 500–1,500 | £7,000–£13,000 |
| Genie GS-3246 / Skyjack SJ4632 | 2018–2021 | 500–1,500 | £9,000–£16,000 |
| Haulotte Compact 12 / H12 SX | 2017–2020 | 500–1,500 | £6,000–£11,000 |
Rough terrain / diesel scissor lifts
| Model | Year | Hours | Approx. Value (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genie GS-3369 RT / JLG 3394RT | 2016–2019 | 1,000–2,500 | £12,000–£22,000 |
| Skyjack SJ9250 RT | 2016–2019 | 1,000–2,500 | £10,000–£18,000 |
| Haulotte H15 RTJ / H18 RTJ | 2016–2019 | 1,000–2,500 | £11,000–£20,000 |
Articulated boom lifts
| Model | Year | Hours | Approx. Value (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genie Z-45/25J diesel | 2015–2018 | 1,500–3,000 | £14,000–£26,000 |
| Genie Z-62/40 diesel | 2016–2019 | 1,500–3,000 | £22,000–£38,000 |
| JLG 600AJ diesel | 2015–2018 | 1,500–3,000 | £20,000–£35,000 |
| Niftylift HR17 diesel | 2015–2018 | 1,500–3,000 | £12,000–£22,000 |
Telescopic boom lifts
| Model | Year | Hours | Approx. Value (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genie S-65 diesel | 2015–2018 | 1,500–3,000 | £18,000–£32,000 |
| Genie S-85 diesel | 2015–2018 | 1,500–3,000 | £28,000–£48,000 |
| JLG 600S / 660SJ diesel | 2015–2018 | 1,500–3,000 | £18,000–£34,000 |
All values are indicative. LOLER status, battery condition (electric machines), tyre condition, and current market all affect actual price. Get a free valuation at plantmachinerytrading.co.uk
What MEWP Buyers Look For
LOLER Certificate Status
This is the single most important factor in MEWP valuation — more than brand, more than hours, more than condition. LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) requires that all MEWPs used at work undergo a thorough examination by a competent person at least every 6 months. The examination must be documented and the certificate kept with the machine.
A MEWP with a current, in-date LOLER certificate is significantly more valuable than an identical machine with an expired certificate — because the buyer can put it to work immediately without incurring inspection costs or potential downtime. A machine with no LOLER history is even harder to value and harder to sell.
If your machine's LOLER has expired, getting a fresh inspection before selling is almost always worth the £150–£350 cost — it typically adds far more to the sale price than it costs.
Battery Condition (Electric Machines)
For electric scissor lifts and boom lifts, the battery is the most expensive component after the machine itself. A battery pack replacement on a mid-size electric scissor lift can cost £2,000–£5,000. Buyers assess:
- Battery age (most lead-acid batteries last 5–7 years; lithium batteries longer)
- State of charge and charge acceptance
- Whether the machine holds charge through a working day
- Any history of cell replacement or pack rebuild
A machine with original old batteries will be discounted accordingly. If you've recently replaced or rebuilt the battery pack, document it — it adds meaningful value.
Hours
Unlike plant machinery with engines, MEWP hours accumulate relatively slowly in normal use. A machine that's been in a hire fleet will typically accumulate 200–500 hours per year. Hours matter — but the condition and LOLER status often matter more than the raw hour count.
Brand
Genie and JLG are the benchmark brands in the UK MEWP market — the most familiar, most widely supported, and most liquid at resale. Skyjack is well regarded particularly in the hire sector. Haulotte has a strong following. Niftylift benefits from being a British manufacturer with good domestic dealer support.
Lesser-known or older brands — Upright, SkyReach, Liftlux — are buyable but trade at a discount to the mainstream brands.
How to Sell Your Access Platform or MEWP
Option 1: Sell Directly to Plant Machinery Trading
We buy MEWPs and access platforms of all types across the UK — scissor lifts, boom lifts, spider lifts, cherry pickers, towable booms, and push-around platforms.
- Free valuation within 24 hours — no obligation
- Same-day payment — bank transfer on collection
- Free UK-wide collection — we come to you
- No fees or commission — the price we quote is what you receive
- All conditions accepted — current LOLER or expired, working or non-running
Option 2: Auction
MEWPs appear regularly at plant auctions. Ex-hire fleets often sell through auction — Genie and JLG machines in particular attract competitive bidding. Auction fees apply.
Option 3: Private Sale
Machinery Trader, Plant Pages, and Facebook Marketplace are all active for MEWP sales. Electric scissor lifts sell quickly; spider lifts and large telescopic booms need more time to find the right buyer.
What Paperwork Do You Need?
- Proof of ownership — purchase invoice or finance settlement
- LOLER examination certificates — the most important document; provide all available history
- Service records — any maintenance history
- Battery records — for electric machines; replacement history if applicable
- Finance settlement letter — if subject to HP or lease
Related Guides
- Sell My Skid Steer — Complete UK Guide
- Plant Machinery Theft UK — How to Protect Your Machines
- Scrapping vs Selling Plant Machinery — Which Pays More?
Get Your Free Access Platform Valuation
Find out what your scissor lift, boom lift, or spider lift is worth in today's market. Free, fast, and no obligation.
Phone: 0161 432 1477 · Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
Email: info@plantmachinerytrading.co.uk
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