The dumper is one of the most ubiquitous machines on UK construction sites — from a 1-tonne hi-tip in a back garden clearance to a 30-tonne articulated dump truck on a major earthworks contract. They're also one of the most consistently traded pieces of plant in the used market, with active buyers at every size and specification.
If you own a dumper or a fleet of them and you're thinking about selling, this guide covers the full range — site dumpers, tracked dumpers, and articulated dump trucks — what they're worth in 2026, what affects value, and how to get a fair price quickly.
What Types of Dumper Do We Buy?
At Plant Machinery Trading we buy dumpers of all types and sizes, including:
Wheeled site dumpers
The most common dumper type in the UK, used across construction, groundwork, landscaping, and domestic projects. Available in straight-tip, swivel-skip, and high-tip configurations.
- 1–2 tonne — the most common size for domestic and access work; hi-tip variants popular in garden clearance
- 3 tonne swivel — the workhorse of the UK groundwork market; swivel-skip allows tipping to the side as well as forward
- 6 tonne — used on larger construction sites and housebuilding projects; cab options available on some models
- 9 tonne — the largest standard site dumper; popular on major groundwork and civils contracts; full cab options standard from most manufacturers
Tracked dumpers
Tracked versions of site dumpers, used where wheeled machines can't operate — soft ground, steep slopes, and confined indoor applications.
- Mini tracked dumpers (0.5–1.5t) — often used in access-constrained domestic work and landscaping
- Tracked high-tip dumpers (1–3t) — popular in landscaping and horticulture for tipping into raised beds and containers
Articulated dump trucks (ADTs)
Large off-highway dump trucks with an articulated chassis and all-wheel drive, used on major earthworks, quarrying, and infrastructure projects.
- Volvo A25 / A30 / A35 / A40 — the dominant ADT brand in the UK
- Bell B20 / B25 / B30 — South African manufacturer with a strong UK following
- CAT 725 / 730 / 735 — strong global brand; active UK buyer base
- Terex TA30 / TA40 — mid-market ADT; consistent demand
What Dumper Makes Do We Buy?
Wheeled site dumpers
- Thwaites — the leading UK site dumper brand; head and shoulders above all others in the used market; MACH 201 (1t), MACH 573 (3t), MACH 690 (6t), MACH 2090 (9t)
- Terex — the second most common brand; TA1 (1t), TA3 (3t), PS6000 (6t), TA9 (9t)
- JCB — 1TST (1t swivel), 3TST (3t swivel), 6TST (6t swivel) — consistent demand from operators already in the JCB ecosystem
- Mecalac (formerly Terex after acquisition) — TA1 through TA9 range continuing under the Mecalac brand
- Wacker Neuson — DW15, DW20, DW30, DW40, DW60, DW90 — compact wheeled dumpers with a growing UK presence
- Benford / Terex Benford — older brand still active in the used market
Tracked dumpers
- Wacker Neuson — DT10, DT15, DT20e; high-tip tracked models popular with landscapers
- Morooka — Japanese specialist tracked carrier with a loyal following in soft-ground applications
- Cormidi — Italian specialist tracked dumper
- Yanmar — C12R, C30R compact tracked carriers
Articulated dump trucks
- Volvo — A25, A30, A35, A40 — the dominant UK ADT brand
- Bell — B20, B25, B30, B35, B40
- CAT — 725, 730, 735, 740
- Terex / Rokbak — TA25, TA30, TA40
All ages, all conditions, working and non-working.
What Is My Dumper Worth in 2026?
Wheeled site dumpers — indicative values
| Model | Year | Hours | Approx. Value (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thwaites MACH 201 (1t hi-tip) | 2019–2022 | Under 1,500 | £5,000–£9,000 |
| Thwaites MACH 573 (3t swivel) | 2018–2021 | 1,000–3,000 | £8,000–£14,000 |
| Thwaites MACH 690 (6t) | 2018–2021 | 1,500–3,500 | £12,000–£20,000 |
| Thwaites MACH 2090 (9t) | 2018–2021 | 1,500–3,500 | £18,000–£28,000 |
| Terex / Mecalac TA9 (9t) | 2018–2021 | 1,500–3,500 | £14,000–£22,000 |
| JCB 3TST (3t swivel) | 2018–2021 | 1,000–3,000 | £7,000–£12,000 |
| JCB 6TST (6t swivel) | 2018–2021 | 1,500–3,500 | £11,000–£18,000 |
| Wacker Neuson DW60 (6t) | 2019–2022 | 1,000–3,000 | £14,000–£22,000 |
Articulated dump trucks — indicative values
| Model | Year | Hours | Approx. Value (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo A25G / A30G | 2016–2019 | 5,000–9,000 | £45,000–£80,000 |
| Volvo A35G / A40G | 2016–2019 | 5,000–9,000 | £65,000–£110,000 |
| Bell B25 | 2016–2019 | 5,000–9,000 | £38,000–£65,000 |
| CAT 730 | 2016–2019 | 5,000–9,000 | £50,000–£85,000 |
All values are indicative. Condition, tyre life, hours, and current market significantly affect actual price. Get a free valuation at plantmachinerytrading.co.uk
What Affects the Value of a Used Dumper?
Brand — Thwaites vs Everyone Else
For wheeled site dumpers, brand matters more than almost any other factor. Thwaites is the undisputed market leader in the UK — the brand makes nothing but dumpers and has done for decades, and that specialist focus shows in build quality and operator familiarity. A Thwaites commands a consistent premium of 20–40% over an equivalent Terex or JCB of the same age and hours. This premium holds throughout the machine's life — old Thwaites dumpers are still worth more than old equivalents from other brands.
If you own a Thwaites, that's a genuine asset. Make sure any buyer you approach knows the brand distinction.
Skip Configuration
- Straight-tip — tips forward; the simplest and most common configuration
- Swivel-skip — the skip rotates to allow tipping to either side as well as forward; significantly more versatile; commands a premium over straight-tip equivalents in the 3–9 tonne range
- Hi-tip — the skip raises to a greater height for tipping into skips, trailers, or hoppers; popular in landscaping and domestic work
A 9-tonne swivel-skip Thwaites MACH 2090 is worth more than a straight-tip 9-tonne equivalent. The configuration should be clearly stated when requesting a valuation.
Full Cab
Thwaites launched full cab options on the 6-tonne and 9-tonne range in 2017. A cab-equipped machine is worth more than a roll-bar-only equivalent — the cab adds operator comfort and protection, expanding the pool of buyers who'll operate the machine in all weather conditions. If your machine has a full cab, state it clearly.
Hours
Site dumpers accumulate hours quickly — a machine on an active construction site can clock 1,500+ hours in a year. Under 2,000 hours on a post-2018 machine is considered low; 2,000–5,000 hours is the main market; above 5,000 hours, values fall more sharply.
For articulated dump trucks, which are used on more intensive operations, under 8,000 hours on a post-2015 machine is broadly considered acceptable mid-market.
Tyre Condition
Dumper tyres — particularly on the larger 6 and 9-tonne wheeled machines — are expensive. A set of four tyres on a 9-tonne dumper can run to £3,000–£5,000. Worn, cracked, or damaged tyres are factored directly into offers. Good tyre condition supports value; poor condition reduces it.
Body Condition
The skip or body takes the hardest wear on any dumper. Cracks, holes worn through the floor or sides, damaged hydraulic tailgates, or poorly-repaired bodywork all affect value. A dump body that's intact, structurally sound, and tips cleanly is the basic expectation.
Selling a Fleet of Dumpers
Dumpers often appear in fleets — particularly on larger construction, groundwork, and landscaping operations. If you have multiple dumpers to sell, a buyer who can take the whole group in a single collection saves significant logistics effort and ensures you're not left with the less desirable machines after the best ones have gone.
At Plant Machinery Trading we regularly buy mixed dumper fleets — different sizes, ages, and conditions in a single transaction.
How to Sell Your Dumper
Option 1: Sell Directly to Plant Machinery Trading
The simplest route. We buy dumpers of all types, all makes, and all conditions across the UK.
- Free valuation within 24 hours — site dumpers, tracked dumpers, and ADTs
- 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 — working, non-running, high hours, damaged
Option 2: Auction
Plant auctions regularly feature site dumpers and they can sell well — particularly Thwaites machines with reasonable hours. ADTs sell at specialist auctions. Fees, buyer's premiums, and pricing uncertainty apply as with all auction sales.
Option 3: Private Sale
Auto Trader Plant, Plant Pages, and Machinery Trader all carry dumper listings. For a single well-presented machine, private sale can work — but dumpers generate a lot of tyre-kicker enquiries, and the sale process can drag.
What Paperwork Do You Need?
- Proof of ownership — original purchase invoice
- CE Declaration of Conformity — for UK buyers; confirms compliance with machinery directives
- ROPS/FOPS certification — roll-over and falling-object protection; buyers will check for valid certification
- Finance settlement letter — if subject to HP or conditional sale
Related Guides
- How to Sell Your JCB Machinery in the UK
- Scrapping vs Selling Plant Machinery — Which Pays More?
- Plant Machinery Asset Disposal and Liquidation
- Should You Repair or Sell Your Plant Machinery?
Get Your Free Dumper Valuation
Find out what your dumper is worth in today's market. Free, fast, and no obligation.
Phone: 0161 432 1477 · Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
Email: info@plantmachinerytrading.co.uk
Address: 279 Didsbury Road, Stockport, SK4 3JH