How Much Is My Used Injection Molding Machine Worth? A Complete Valuation Guide
By Meadoworks | January 2026 | 12 min read
Whether you're planning to sell surplus equipment, considering a plant closing, refinancing with equipment as collateral, or simply need to know the value of your assets for insurance purposes, understanding what your used injection molding machine is worth is critical. As AMEA-certified appraisers who have valued thousands of injection molding machines over 50+ years, Meadoworks provides this comprehensive guide to help you understand the key factors that determine used equipment value.
Factors That Determine Used Injection Molding Machine Value
No single factor determines the value of a used injection molding machine. Instead, appraisers consider a combination of variables that together paint a picture of a machine's worth in the current market.
Brand and Model Reputation: Not all injection molding machines are created equal. European manufacturers like Engel, Arburg, and Krauss Maffei command premium resale values due to superior build quality, advanced control systems, and extensive global service networks. Japanese manufacturers including Sumitomo Demag, Nissei, Toshiba (Shibaura), and JSW also retain value well. Machines from Milacron, Cincinnati, and Van Dorn have a strong following in North America. Economy brands like Haitian and other Chinese manufacturers offer excellent value when new but typically depreciate faster in the secondary market.
Age and Machine Hours: Age matters, but it's not the only measure of remaining useful life. A 15-year-old machine that ran one shift with diligent maintenance may be worth more than a 5-year-old machine that ran three shifts with deferred maintenance. Shot counters and machine hour meters provide objective data — but maintenance records tell the full story.
Tonnage and Configuration: Clamp tonnage is the primary sizing metric. All-electric machines generally command a 20-40% premium over hydraulic equivalents due to energy efficiency, precision, and growing market preference. Toggle-clamp machines from Engel, Arburg, and Sumitomo are preferred for high-speed applications, while direct hydraulic clamps are common in larger tonnages.
Condition: Mechanical condition (platen parallelism, tie bar stretch, screw/barrel wear, hydraulic system integrity) directly impacts value. Cosmetic condition matters less but signals overall care. The control system generation is increasingly important — modern controls with Ethernet, SPC integration, and recipe management are much more desirable than outdated proprietary systems.
Price Ranges by Tonnage Tier
The following ranges represent typical fair market values for used injection molding machines in good working condition from reputable manufacturers. Prices vary significantly based on brand, age, and configuration.
| Tonnage Range | Typical Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 200 Tons | $15,000 – $80,000 | High demand; all-electric models at premium |
| 200 – 500 Tons | $40,000 – $175,000 | Most common range; strong resale market |
| 500 – 1,000 Tons | $75,000 – $350,000 | Fewer buyers; condition critical |
| Over 1,000 Tons | $150,000 – $750,000+ | Niche market; rigging costs significant |
Brands That Hold Value Best — and Why
Brand reputation is one of the strongest predictors of resale value. Our database of thousands of completed transactions shows consistent patterns. Browse our current injection molding inventory to see real-time market availability and pricing trends.
Premium Tier (Highest Retention): Engel, Arburg, Krauss Maffei. These European manufacturers consistently retain 50-70% of original value after 10 years in good condition. Their reputation for precision engineering, longevity, and global service support creates strong demand in the secondary market.
Strong Tier: Sumitomo Demag, Nissei, Toshiba/Shibaura, JSW, Milacron, Husky (for PET preform systems). These brands retain 40-60% after 10 years, with particular strength in specific applications — Husky dominates PET preform resale, while Sumitomo Demag all-electric machines are highly sought after.
Value Tier: Haitian, Boy, Negri Bossi, and other economy or niche brands. These machines offer excellent value but typically retain 25-40% after 10 years. Haitian's market share means supply is high, which moderates resale prices.
How Market Conditions Affect Pricing
Used injection molding machine values don't exist in a vacuum — they respond to broader market forces. Supply and demand dynamics shift with economic cycles, new machine lead times, reshoring trends, and industry-specific factors.
When new machine lead times are long (12-18+ months, as occurred in 2021-2023), used equipment values spike as buyers who need capacity quickly turn to the secondary market. Conversely, when OEMs have short lead times and aggressive pricing, used equipment values soften.
Reshoring trends and nearshoring to Mexico have increased demand for used injection molding equipment in North America. Companies setting up production closer to end markets often prefer the speed and cost savings of used equipment. This trend has been particularly strong for automotive and consumer packaging applications.
Fair Market Value vs. Orderly Liquidation vs. Forced Liquidation
Understanding the type of value you need is essential. Each serves a different purpose and produces a different number for the same machine.
Fair Market Value (FMV): What a willing buyer would pay a willing seller, both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts, with neither under compulsion. This is the value used for insurance, tax reporting, and most private-treaty sales. FMV assumes adequate time to market the equipment (typically 3-6 months).
Orderly Liquidation Value (OLV): The estimated gross amount a machine would bring at a properly advertised sale with a reasonable time to find a buyer (typically 6-12 months). OLV is commonly used by banks for asset-based lending. OLV is typically 60-80% of FMV.
Forced Liquidation Value (FLV): The estimated gross amount at an immediate or auction sale with minimal time to find buyers. FLV is used in bankruptcy proceedings and urgent liquidations. FLV is typically 40-60% of FMV.
When to Get a Professional Appraisal
While online research and dealer quotes can give you a ballpark, a professional AMEA-certified equipment appraisal provides a credible, defensible valuation that banks, courts, insurance companies, and the IRS will accept.
You should invest in a professional appraisal when: the equipment value exceeds $250,000; the valuation will be used for bank financing or refinancing; insurance coverage needs to be established or updated; the valuation is for tax purposes (depreciation, donation, estate planning); it involves legal proceedings (divorce, partnership dissolution, bankruptcy); or you're considering selling a complete facility.
Meadoworks' AMEA-certified appraisers have valued billions of dollars in manufacturing equipment across thousands of engagements. Our appraisals are backed by a proprietary database of completed transactions and accepted by lending institutions, the IRS, and courts nationwide. Contact us for a free initial consultation.
How Meadoworks Determines Value
Our appraisal process combines market data analysis with hands-on technical evaluation. We start by identifying the machine — brand, model, serial number, year of manufacture, and configuration. We then assess condition through inspection (on-site or via detailed photos and videos) and review maintenance records, machine hours, and any modifications.
We benchmark the machine against our proprietary database of thousands of completed transactions — private treaty sales, auction results, and dealer inventory data. We factor in current market conditions including new machine pricing, lead times, supply levels, and demand trends. The result is a well-documented valuation report that clearly states the type of value, the basis for the conclusion, and any limiting conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a used injection molding machine cost?
Used injection molding machine prices vary widely based on tonnage, brand, age, and condition. Small machines under 200 tons typically range from $15,000 to $80,000. Medium machines (200-500 tons) range from $40,000 to $175,000. Large machines (500-1,000 tons) range from $75,000 to $350,000. Very large machines over 1,000 tons can range from $150,000 to $750,000+. All-electric machines and late-model machines from premium brands command higher prices.
Which injection molding machine brands hold their value best?
European and Japanese brands tend to hold value best. Engel, Arburg, and Krauss Maffei are consistently the strongest in resale value due to build quality and global service networks. Among Asian manufacturers, Sumitomo Demag, Nissei, and JSW retain value well. Haitian machines offer excellent value when new but depreciate faster in the secondary market. All-electric machines from any premium brand hold value better than hydraulic equivalents.
What is the difference between fair market value and liquidation value?
Fair market value (FMV) represents what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in an arm's-length transaction with reasonable time to market. Orderly liquidation value (OLV) assumes a sale within 6-12 months, typically resulting in 60-80% of FMV. Forced liquidation value (FLV) assumes an immediate sale at auction, typically 40-60% of FMV. The type of value needed depends on the purpose — insurance uses FMV, lending often uses OLV, and bankruptcy may use FLV.
When should I get a professional equipment appraisal?
Professional appraisals are recommended for insurance coverage, bank financing or refinancing, tax purposes (depreciation, donation, estate), divorce or partnership dissolution, bankruptcy proceedings, mergers and acquisitions, and whenever the total equipment value exceeds $500,000. AMEA-certified appraisers like Meadoworks provide credible, defensible valuations accepted by banks, courts, and the IRS.
How does Meadoworks determine the value of used injection molding machines?
Meadoworks' AMEA-certified appraisers evaluate multiple factors: brand and model reputation, age and machine hours, condition (mechanical, cosmetic, controls), tonnage and shot size, original equipment cost, market supply and demand, comparable recent sales, and any modifications or upgrades. We maintain a proprietary database of thousands of completed transactions to benchmark values accurately.
Request a Free Equipment Valuation
Get an honest, market-based valuation from our AMEA-certified appraisers. Whether you're selling one machine or an entire plant, Meadoworks provides accurate valuations backed by 50+ years of market data.
About Meadoworks
Meadoworks has been the premier advisor to the global plastics and metals industries for over 50 years. As licensed auctioneers, licensed business brokers, and AMEA-certified appraisers, we offer equipment sales, auctions and liquidations, appraisals, business brokerage, and financing solutions. Contact us at 800-323-0307 or info@meadoworks.com.
