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Used Generators for Sale in South Africa

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A row of used canopied diesel generators with faded paint in a dealer's yard, one with its side doors open
BH-07
Rated output
2 to 250 kVA
Fuel
Diesel or petrol
Output
Single phase 230 V or three phase 400 V
Service
Full service on purchase, then every 250 run hours
Turnaround
Same week, subject to stock

A second hand generator for sale can cost half the price of a new one, and a well-kept diesel set has many years left in it. The risk is buying someone else's problem. Used units come from dealers' trade-ins, ex-rental fleets, auctions and private sellers, from small petrol generators to used 3 phase generators for farms and workshops. GeneratorRepair.co.za is a free quote service: you tell us the size and fuel you want, and we pass it to independent dealers and technicians, who quote you directly, either on a used unit or on checking one you found.

What to check on a used generator

  • Run hours: read the hour meter or controller, and ask why it is being sold. A small petrol unit is worn at 1,000 to 2,000 hours, a water-cooled diesel often goes 15,000 to 30,000 hours before an overhaul
  • Service history: oil and filter records matter more than a fresh coat of paint
  • Start and smoke: start it cold, and watch for blue smoke (oil burning) or heavy black smoke under load
  • Compression and blow-by: heavy fumes from the breather point to worn rings
  • Rust and leaks: check the base tank, radiator, exhaust and canopy, especially from coastal sites

Test the alternator and run it on load

The engine is only half of it. Ask the seller to run the generator on a real load, ideally a load bank test at 75 to 100% for at least 30 minutes. Voltage should stay near 230 V or 400 V and frequency near 50 Hz. A drifting voltage points to a weak AVR or damaged windings, and alternator repairs can cost more than the saving.

Ex-rental, trade-in or private sale

Ex-rental sets usually have high hours but regular servicing. Trade-ins from dealers are often checked and sold with a short warranty of 30 to 90 days. Private sales are cheapest but sold as is, so pay a technician to inspect first. Standby sets that sat for years can have low hours yet stale fuel, dry seals and flat batteries, so budget for a full service on any used purchase.

Second hand generator for sale: 3 phase and installation

Used three phase diesel gensets of 20 to 200 kVA are popular with farms and workshops. Check that the controller and breaker work and that spare parts are still available. Any fixed connection needs a registered electrician and a Certificate of Compliance, just like a new unit.

What to include in your request

  • Give the size in kVA and the fuel you want
  • Say single phase or three phase
  • Set your budget and maximum run hours
  • Ask about warranty and service history
  • Request a load test before you pay

Used Generators for different sites

  • Homes: a used petrol or small diesel unit for load-shedding backup at a lower price
  • Estates and complexes: an ex-rental canopied set for the gate, pumps and common lighting
  • Farms and smallholdings: a used three phase diesel genset for the borehole, workshop and cold room
  • Shops, offices and restaurants: a trade-in silent diesel set keeping a shop or office trading
  • Factories, mines and sites: a used high-hour genset for site power or as a second standby set
  • Lodges, venues and events: a checked ex-rental silent set for a guesthouse or remote lodge
  • Clinics, schools and towers: a refurbished standby set for a school, church or small clinic

Frequently asked questions

Does GeneratorRepair.co.za sell second hand generators?
No, we have no stock of our own. We pass your request free of charge to independent dealers and technicians, who offer used units or an inspection and quote you directly. There is no obligation to buy.
How much is a used generator for sale?
As a rough guide, a used 5 kVA petrol generator sells for R2,500 to R6,000, a used 20 kVA canopied diesel for R40,000 to R90,000, and a used 100 kVA three phase set for R120,000 to R250,000. Hours, condition and warranty move the price a lot.
Can I get a used generator checked before I buy?
Yes. Many technicians do a pre-purchase inspection for roughly R800 to R2,500, covering a start, load test, oil check and alternator output. It is worth it on any diesel set above a few thousand Rand.
Is a second hand generator for sale near me better than a cheap new one?
Often, for diesel. A quality used water-cooled set usually outlasts a cheap new air-cooled unit. For small petrol generators the gap is smaller, so compare with new generators for sale.

Used Generators by province and city

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Service & partsScheduled services, maintenance contracts, load bank tests and spare parts

Installation & switchingGenerator installation, automatic transfer switches and changeover switches

Buy & hireNew, diesel, inverter, silent, three phase and used generators, and generator hire

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RefMake, model or descriptionkVAFuelRemove
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G2
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