The UK Used Combine Market

A well-specified new combine costs £300,000 to £500,000 - which is why the used market matters. A well-maintained six to ten year old machine with reasonable hours can represent genuine value. The three dominant brands in the UK are New Holland, Claas, and John Deere.

Used Combine Prices UK

Smaller Combines (200 to 300hp, under 400 hectares)

  • New Holland CX7.80 / TC5090: £45,000 to £95,000
  • Claas Lexion 550/560: £50,000 to £100,000
  • John Deere W540/S540: £50,000 to £110,000

Mid-Range (300 to 450hp)

  • New Holland CR8.90: £80,000 to £165,000
  • Claas Lexion 650/670: £90,000 to £175,000
  • John Deere S680/S690: £85,000 to £170,000

Large Combines (450hp+)

  • New Holland CR10.90: £140,000 to £280,000
  • Claas Lexion 780/8900: £150,000 to £320,000
  • John Deere X9/S790: £160,000 to £350,000

The Brands

New Holland

Twin-rotor separation system handles a wide variety of crops well. Strong CNH dealer network. Good parts availability.

Claas

Many UK farmers' preferred choice. Dense dealer network in arable regions. APS threshing system handles tough crops well. Strongest residual values of the three.

John Deere

Well engineered and technologically advanced. STS and ATS systems work well across grain, oilseed rape, and maize. Strong integration with Operations Centre farm management platform.

What to Check

Rotor/Drum Hours vs Engine Hours

Combines have two hour meters. Separator hours are more meaningful for wear assessment. A machine with high engine hours but low separator hours has done more road travel than harvesting.

Threshing Concaves

Check concave bars and wires for wear. Worn concaves cost £2,000 to £5,000 to replace.

Cutter Bar

Check knife sections, guards, and auger fingers. Worn knife: £600 to £1,500; damaged fingers: £200 to £800.

Grain Tank and Elevator

Inspect for cracks or repairs. Check elevator chains and cups for wear - replacement: £800 to £2,000.

Electronics

Ask for a demonstration of all yield mapping, moisture sensors, and GPS guidance systems. Replacing faulty GPS guidance: £2,000 to £6,000.

Buying Tips

Buy from a dealer or farm with complete service history. Pre-purchase inspections by agricultural engineers cost £400 to £800 - money well spent on any machine above £60,000. Confirm whether the header is included - a good grain header costs £15,000 to £50,000 on its own.

What should you check before buying?

Before you travel to see a used combine harvesters — new holland, claas, john deere, build a short checklist and compare the advert against real evidence. Photos and seller claims are useful, but paperwork, condition and price comparisons matter more.

  • MOT history, mileage consistency and outstanding finance
  • service records, warning lights, tyres, brakes and accident markers
  • cold-start behaviour, test-drive feel and whether all equipment works
  • insurance, tax, fuel use, clean-air-zone charges and likely repairs

How much should you budget after purchase?

A fair used vehicle budget includes more than the screen price. Keep money aside for servicing, tyres, brakes, insurance and the first repair after purchase. If the seller cannot answer basic questions or the documents do not match the vehicle, it is usually better to walk away and compare another example.

How do you judge fair value?

Used car prices should be compared against real adverts with similar age, mileage, engine, gearbox, trim and history. The cheapest car is rarely the cheapest to own. For a used combine harvesters — new holland, claas, john deere, look at the full ownership cost rather than only the asking price. A strong example should have evidence that supports the advert: matching documents, sensible mileage, clear condition photos and answers that remain consistent when you ask follow-up questions.

If two examples look similar, choose the one with better history and fewer unknowns. A bargain with missing records, urgent repairs or vague ownership can quickly become more expensive than a tidier vehicle from a straightforward seller.

What are the main red flags?

  • outstanding finance, insurance write-off markers or mileage gaps
  • warning lights hidden by a warm engine or very short test drive
  • seller name or address not matching the V5C
  • fresh MOT with advisories that still need money spending

None of these automatically proves a vehicle is bad, but each one should slow the deal down. Ask for evidence, compare another listing and avoid paying a holding deposit until the basics have been checked.

Questions to ask the seller

When you enquire about a used combine harvesters — new holland, claas, john deere, ask the same questions in writing before you travel. How long has the seller owned it? Why is it being sold? What recent work has been done? Are there faults, warning lights, finance agreements or missing documents? Will it be cold when you arrive for a start-up check?

Clear answers save wasted journeys. If the seller avoids simple questions, changes the story or pushes for quick payment, keep looking.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if this used combine harvesters — new holland, claas, john deere is priced fairly?

Compare similar UK listings by age, mileage, specification, condition and history. A low price is not automatically a bargain if finance, accident history or overdue maintenance is involved.

What checks should I do before viewing?

Check MOT history, ownership details, mileage pattern, outstanding finance, insurance category markers and whether the advert photos match the written description.

When should I walk away?

Walk away if the seller avoids basic questions, the paperwork does not match, the vehicle is warm before a cold start, or the history has unexplained gaps.

Related Mobeo guides

If you are comparing more than one used vehicle, these guides are also worth reading before you arrange a viewing.