Guide
What to check before buying a used industrial robot arm
RoboResale
Used arms cost a fraction of new ones, but most listings hide the price and leave out what matters. A checklist for FANUC, KUKA, ABB and Yaskawa buyers.
A new industrial arm costs about US$50,000–80,000, or US$100,000–150,000 as a full system. Used, the same class of robot often sells for US$6,000–40,000. A 2019 FANUC M-20iA/35M with its R-30iB Plus controller was listed at US$32,000, and a 2017 KUKA KR 6 R700 at €6,000.
Supply is growing. About 188,000 industrial robots left service in 2025, and with a typical 12-year service life, retirements should roughly double by 2029. Yet about 70% of used listings show no price at all.
Before you buy
- The controller. Make sure the arm comes with its own, and note its generation, such as R-30iB, KRC4, IRC5 or YRC1000.
- The teach pendant and cables. Auction units often arrive without pendants, cables or controller keys, and replacements add up fast.
- Software options and a backup. Options such as vision or palletising live on the controller, and without a backup they can be lost.
- Hours and service history. Ask for the hour counter and any gearbox or battery work.
- Payload and reach. Check both against your job, with some margin.
- A test video. Ask to see the arm run a program through all six axes.
Ask for the price
A missing price isn't a good sign. Ask for one in writing, with everything that's included, before you travel or pay for an inspection.
