Quick Overview
- The best place to sell most old mowers is Facebook Marketplace, since local buyers can test the mower before they pay.
- A running push mower usually sells for $60 to $150. A running riding mower usually sells for $300 to $900.
- A broken mower still has value. Scrap yards, parts buyers, and local repair shops will often pay cash for it.
- Clean the mower, sharpen the blade, and take clear photos before you list it. This alone can raise your price by 20% to 30%.
- Never meet a stranger alone. Meet in a public spot, or ask them to come to your home in daylight.
Table of Contents
- How Much Is Your Old Mower Worth?
- The 8 Best Places to Sell an Old Lawn Mower
- How to Prep Your Mower Before You Sell It
- Common Mistakes That Cost You Money
- Should You Sell It or Trade It In?
- Is It Safe to Sell to a Stranger?
- What to Do If the Mower Doesn’t Sell
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is Your Old Mower Worth?
Your old mower is worth what a buyer in your area will pay for it right now. That price depends on three things: does it run, what brand is it, and how clean is it.
A push mower that starts on the first or second pull is worth far more than one that “just needs a tune-up.” Buyers hear “needs a little work” as “does not run.” Price it like that, and it will sell fast.
Here is a rough range based on what I see change hands locally and on resale sites:
| Mower Type | Working Condition | Needs Repair | Scrap/Parts Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Push mower (gas) | $60 – $150 | $20 – $60 | $10 – $25 |
| Self-propelled mower | $90 – $220 | $30 – $80 | $15 – $30 |
| Electric/cordless mower | $70 – $180 | $20 – $60 | $10 – $20 |
| Riding mower | $300 – $900 | $100 – $350 | $50 – $150 |
| Zero-turn mower | $800 – $2,500+ | $300 – $900 | $150 – $400 |
Brand matters too. A Honda or Toyota engine holds its value better than a store-brand engine. Parts are easy to find, and the name means it lasts a long time. I see this daily in my shop. A buyer will pay $40 more for a used Honda mower than for an unnamed brand. The reason is simple: parts sit on the shelf, ready to go.
The 8 Best Places to Sell an Old Lawn Mower
Each spot below fits a different case. A mower that runs well sells best where buyers can test it in person. A broken mower sells best where the buyer just wants the metal or the parts.
1. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is the best first stop for most sellers. It is free, it is local, and buyers can see exactly where you are before they message you.
Why it works: Local buyers can come test the mower in your driveway. This builds trust fast, and it means no shipping.
Best for: Any working mower, push or riding.
What to expect: Most sellers get a response within a day or two if the price is fair. Riding mowers often move within a week in spring and early summer.
2. Craigslist
Craigslist still works well in many cities. It is a good spot for riding mowers and zero-turns. Buyers here tend to know more about mowers. They care less about photos than Facebook buyers do.
Why it works: No account needed to browse, so you reach a wider pool of local buyers fast.
Best for: Riding mowers and zero-turns.
Watch out for: Craigslist has more scam messages than Facebook. Skip any buyer who wants to pay by check or wire transfer before pickup.
3. eBay
eBay makes sense for parts, small engines, or a mower with a well-known brand and model number. Buyers search eBay by exact part number, so a Honda GCV160 engine or a Toro deck part will find a buyer even if the rest of the mower is scrap.
Why it works: You reach buyers across the country, not just local ones.
Best for: Small parts, small engines, and rare mowers.
What to expect: You will pay eBay a selling fee, and you will need to pack and ship the item. This only makes sense for smaller parts, since shipping a full mower is expensive and often not worth it.
4. Local Lawn Mower Repair Shops
Most homeowners never think of this option. But it is often the fastest and easiest. Many repair shops, mine included, buy old mowers for parts or resale. Name-brand mowers sell best.
Why it works: A repair shop can look at the mower in five minutes and give you cash on the spot. No listing, no photos, no waiting for a stranger to show up.
Best for: Mowers that run rough, have a dead engine, or you just want gone today.
What to expect: A repair shop will not pay retail price, since they need room to profit after fixing it up. Expect 30% to 50% less than what you would get selling it yourself. In exchange, you save the time and hassle of listing it.
Expert tip: Call ahead and ask if they buy mowers outright, or if they only take trade-ins toward a new purchase. Shops handle this differently, and it is a five-second question that saves you a wasted trip.
5. Scrap Metal Yards
If the mower is truly dead, a scrap yard will still pay you for the metal. This is the fastest option when the engine is seized, the deck is rusted through, or repair would cost more than the mower is worth.
Why it works: Scrap yards pay by weight, on the spot, no questions asked about why it does not run.
Best for: Mowers with a cracked block, seized engine, or heavy rust damage.
What to expect: Pay is low. A push mower brings $10 to $30. A riding mower brings $50 to $150. The exact amount tracks current scrap metal prices. Drain the fuel and oil first. Most yards ask for this. Some charge a fee if you skip it.
6. Dealer Trade-In Programs
Many mower dealers offer trade-in credit when you buy a new mower from them. This is not the way to get the most cash, but it is the easiest way to clear out the old one on the same day you bring home a new one.
Why it works: One trip handles both the sale and the new purchase. No separate buyer to find.
Best for: Homeowners already planning to buy a new mower from a dealer.
What to expect: Trade-in value runs lower than a private sale. You often get 40% to 60% of what you would get selling it on your own. Dealers must resell or scrap what they take in, so they build in room for that cost.
7. Local Classifieds and Community Boards
Neighborhood apps, church boards, and local newspaper ads still work well. This is true in small towns. It is also true for older buyers who skip Facebook.
Why it works: You reach buyers who skip the apps. Many just want to shake hands and pay cash.
Best for: Small towns. Also good for sellers who want to skip online apps.
What to expect: Replies come slower than on Facebook or Craigslist. But the buyers tend to be more serious.
8. Donation to a Charity or Community Program
If the mower still runs but is not worth much, donating it can be worth more to you than the cash sale, once you count the tax deduction and the time saved.
Why it works: Some groups take working mowers. This can include a local Habitat ReStore, a community garden, or a school shop class.
Best for: Mowers in fair condition that are not worth the hassle of listing.
What to expect: Ask for a donation receipt. Then check with a tax pro about what you can deduct.
Comparison Table: Where to Sell at a Glance
| Method | Speed | Cash Amount | Effort Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook Marketplace | Medium | Highest | Medium |
| Craigslist | Medium | High | Medium |
| eBay | Slow | High (parts only) | High |
| Repair shop | Fast | Medium | Low |
| Scrap yard | Fastest | Lowest | Low |
| Dealer trade-in | Fast | Low-Medium | Lowest |
| Local classifieds | Slow | Medium-High | Medium |
| Donation | Fast | None (tax credit) | Low |
How to Prep Your Mower Before You Sell It
A clean mower that starts easily can sell for 20% to 30% more than the same mower listed dirty and untested. Buyers pay for confidence, not just metal.
Step 1: Clean It Up (15 minutes)
Hose off the deck, wipe down the handle, and scrape off dried grass from underneath. A mower caked in old clippings looks neglected, even if the engine runs fine.
Step 2: Change or Drain the Old Gas (10 minutes)
Old gas that sat all winter can make a mower hard to start. If the mower has been sitting more than a month, drain the tank and put in fresh fuel before you test it or show it to a buyer.
Step 3: Sharpen or Replace the Blade (20 minutes)
A dull blade tears grass instead of cutting it, and buyers notice a ragged edge on the cut right away during a test run. A sharp blade is a cheap fix that makes a huge difference in how the mower performs when a buyer tries it.
Step 4: Check the Oil (5 minutes)
Pull the dipstick. If the oil is black and low, top it off or change it. Clean oil signals that the mower was cared for, and a low oil level is one of the top reasons an engine seizes.
Step 5: Test-Start It Three Times
Start the mower cold, let it run for a few minutes, then shut it off and start it again. Buyers will ask you to demonstrate this. If it starts easily each time, say so in your listing. That single detail sells mowers.
Step 6: Take Photos in Daylight
Take at least six photos. Get the full mower from the side. Get the deck from underneath. Get the engine, the wheels, the handle controls, and the model tag. Shoot them in daylight, outside. These always outsell dim garage shots.
Common Mistakes That Cost You Money
I see the same mistakes over and over, both in my shop and in the listings I browse before I buy parts mowers myself.
Mistake 1: Listing it as “runs great” when it doesn’t. Buyers test the mower on the spot. If it does not start the way you claimed, the sale falls through, and you have wasted a trip for both of you.
Mistake 2: Setting the price by guessing, not checking. Search sold listings for the same brand and model near you before you set a price. A price that is too high just means your listing sits for weeks with no messages.
Mistake 3: Skipping the cleanup. A five-minute hose-down changes how a buyer judges the whole mower. Dirt reads as neglect, even on a mechanically sound machine.
Mistake 4: Not knowing the model number. Buyers ask for it a lot, most of all on riding mowers. It tells them the engine size, deck width, and part fit. Find it before you list, not after someone asks.
Mistake 5: Meeting buyers with no plan. Agreeing to “just come by whenever” leads to no-shows. It wastes your afternoon. Set an exact time. Confirm it that morning.
Should You Sell It or Trade It In?
Sell it yourself if you have the time and want the most cash, and trade it in if you value speed and simplicity over top dollar.
Selling it yourself, through Facebook or Craigslist, will almost always net you more cash. You skip the dealer’s cut. But it costs your time. You must take photos, answer messages, and meet a buyer.
Trading it in at a dealer, or selling it outright to a repair shop, gets you cash the same day with almost no effort. You lose 30% to 60% of the value compared to a private sale, but you gain your afternoon back.
Good fit for trading in: You are already buying a new mower, your old one runs rough, or you simply do not want to deal with strangers and messages.
Good fit for selling it yourself: The mower runs well, you have a few weeks before you need the cash, and you do not mind a couple of test-drive visits.
Is It Safe to Sell to a Stranger?
Yes, if you follow a few basic rules that apply to any in-person cash sale.
Meet in daylight, at your home or a public spot. A driveway sale in the afternoon is normal and safe. Have a neighbor or a family member close by. Skip late-evening meetups with strangers.
Ask for cash, and count it before they leave. Cash is still the standard for used equipment. Be cautious of anyone who wants to send a check or use an app you have not used before, especially if they offer to pay more than you asked.
Never accept an overpayment, then a refund request. This is a well-known scam. A buyer sends a check for more than the price. They ask you to refund the extra amount. The check later bounces. You lose the cash you sent back. Walk away from any buyer who tries this.
Don’t share personal details you don’t need to. A buyer needs to know where and when to meet. They do not need your full name, workplace, or daily schedule.
What to Do If the Mower Doesn’t Sell
If two weeks pass with no serious messages, the price is almost always the reason. Drop it by 10% to 15% and repost with a fresh photo or two.
If it still does not sell after a price drop, call a local repair shop and ask if they buy outright. A shop that turns broken mowers into working ones can often use it for parts, even if a private buyer has passed on it.
As a last resort, a scrap yard will take it and pay you something, rather than it sitting in your garage taking up space all season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to sell an old lawn mower?
Facebook Marketplace is the best spot for most sellers. It is free. It links you to local buyers who can test the mower before they pay. Craigslist works well too, most of all for riding mowers.
How much can I get for an old lawn mower that doesn’t run?
A broken push mower is usually worth $10 to $60, depending on the brand and what parts are still good. A broken riding mower can bring $50 to $350. Scrap yards and repair shops are your best options for a non-running mower.
Do lawn mower repair shops buy old mowers?
Yes. Many repair shops buy old mowers for parts or resale, most of all name-brand models. Call ahead and ask. Some shops only take trade-ins toward a new mower. They will not buy an old mower outright.
Is it worth fixing an old mower before selling it?
It depends on the cost of the fix. A cheap fix, like a new spark plug or a blade sharpening, almost always pays for itself in a higher sale price. A big repair, like a new engine, usually is not worth the cost. The one exception: a high-value brand.
How do I find out what my mower model is worth?
Search sold listings on Facebook Marketplace and eBay. Look for the same brand and model near you. This shows real prices buyers paid, not just what sellers are asking.
Can I sell a lawn mower without the original box or manual?
Yes. Almost no one sells or buys a used mower with its box. Most buyers do not expect a manual either. Having one is a small bonus, not a must.
Should I sell my old mower before or after buying a new one?
Selling it first, if you have the time, avoids having two mowers taking up space. If you need the new mower right away, buy first and sell the old one that same week while it is still fresh in your mind to list.
Summary
- Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist get the most cash for a working mower.
- Repair shops and scrap yards are the fastest options for a mower that is broken or barely running.
- Clean the mower, sharpen the blade, and take daylight photos before you list it.
- Price it using real sold listings nearby, not a guess.
- Meet buyers safely, in daylight, and take cash only.