How we appraise used machinery — expert methodology

The expert behind the appraisal

My name is Marcin Białczyk. I am a machinery appraiser and chief engineer at WeSellMachines. I have been appraising used industrial machinery for over 15 years.

I graduated in engineering in 2000 in Wrocław, Poland. I have worked with industrial machinery ever since — first on the technical side, and for most of my career on valuation and the used machinery market.

I appraise several hundred machines every year. Most of my work covers Poland and Germany, though I accept assignments from other countries as well. My core segments are woodworking machinery and metalworking machinery.

How the appraisal process works

The method is the same whether I appraise a panel saw, a CNC woodworking center, a lathe, or a press brake. The inspection points change — the methodology does not.

1. Technical condition. I assess the wear of the assemblies that matter for each machine type: spindles, guideways, drives, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and the control unit. On CNC machines I check the control generation and hour counters where available.
2. Documentation and completeness. I review technical documentation, manuals and schematics, plus the completeness of tooling and accessories: chucks, guards, additional heads or tables.
3. Service and usage history. I establish how the machine was used: single shift or continuous operation, what materials it processed, whether it was serviced regularly, and whether it went through major failures or retrofits.
4. Current market situation. I analyze present demand for that machine type, the availability of comparable offers, and prices of actual completed transactions — not just asking prices.
5. Benchmark against comparable deals. I compare the appraised machine against known sales of the same or similar models, in similar condition and year of manufacture.
6. Client report. The client receives the result with full reasoning: what raises the value, what lowers it, and where the final figure comes from.

What the client needs to provide

The better the input data, the more accurate the appraisal. I need:

• photos of the machine: general view, nameplate, key components (spindle, table, control), areas of visible wear,
• technical parameters: manufacturer, model, year of manufacture, key working dimensions and power ratings,
• service history: inspections, repairs, replaced assemblies, retrofits,
• information about past usage: operating pattern, processed materials, working environment,
• machine location — it matters for dismantling and transport costs.

How we calculate the "real value"

The real value of a machine is not a list price minus a fixed percentage per year. Two identical machines from the same year can be worth very different amounts.

Value depends on: actual technical condition, market demand for that machine type, availability of substitutes and spare parts, dismantling and transport costs to the buyer, and industry trends — for example, shifts in production technology that raise or lower interest in a given machine type.

That is why I am able to calculate the real value of a machine based on the current market situation — combining technical condition with what the market looks like today, not a year ago.

FAQ

How long does an appraisal take?

It depends on the completeness of input data. With full photos and parameters, the appraisal is a matter of shorter time; if an on-site inspection is needed, timing depends on location.

Can I order an appraisal outside Poland or Germany?

Yes. Most of my work is in Poland and Germany, but I appraise machines in other locations as well — especially when the client provides complete photo and technical documentation.

Does the appraisal include a buy / don't buy recommendation?

The appraisal shows the machine's real market value and the factors behind it. Based on that, I indicate whether the asking price is justified — the purchase decision stays with the client, but it is made on numbers, not on the seller's impression.

Do you appraise both woodworking and metalworking machinery?

Yes. The method is the same; the technical inspection points differ — a CNC woodworking center is checked differently than a CNC lathe or a press brake.

Request a machine appraisal

Have a machine to appraise — for sale or before purchase? Reach us via the contact form. Include the manufacturer, model, year of manufacture and machine location, and we will get back with the next steps.