Introduction
Perhaps you’ve inherited a piano and wonder whether it’s a hidden treasure or an expensive ornament. Maybe you’re considering selling before a move, or simply curious about the value of the instrument that’s graced your home for decades. Whatever your situation, understanding piano values in the UK market helps you make informed decisions.
Over 33 years of moving pianos across Gloucestershire as a third-generation family business and beyond, we’ve handled instruments across the entire value spectrum—from pianos that were worth less than the cost of moving them to instruments worth more than most houses. This guide shares what we’ve learned about UK piano values, helping you understand where your instrument might sit in today’s market.
Important disclaimer: We’re piano movers, not piano valuers. This guide provides general information to help you understand piano values, but a professional valuation from a qualified piano technician is essential for insurance, sale, or estate purposes.
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Factors That Determine Piano Value
Piano values depend on multiple interrelated factors. Understanding these helps you assess your instrument realistically.
1. Brand and Origin
Brands vary enormously in quality, reputation, and therefore value:
Top tier: Steinway & Sons, Bösendorfer, Fazioli, C. Bechstein, Blüthner Premium: Yamaha, Kawai, Schimmel, August Förster, Grotrian-Steinweg Mid-range: Young Chang, Samick, Petrof, W. Hoffmann Budget/Entry: Many Chinese and Indonesian brands, older British makes
A Steinway grand will always command premium prices; a no-name Chinese upright won’t.
2. Age
Piano age is complex—it’s not simply “older = less valuable”:
Vintage (pre-1930): Can be very valuable if well-preserved, or worthless if neglected Mid-century (1930-1970): Often good value; not yet “antique” but can be excellent instruments Modern (1970-2000): Generally reliable; good second-hand market Recent (2000-present): Closest to new prices; still depreciating
Some vintage pianos from the “golden age” (1880-1930) are highly prized by collectors, but many old pianos are simply… old.
3. Condition
Condition is often the most important factor:
Excellent: Original or professionally restored, plays perfectly, cosmetically pristine Good: Well-maintained, plays well, minor cosmetic wear Fair: Playable but needs attention, visible wear Poor: Significant problems, needs major work Unplayable: Structural issues, not economically repairable
A well-maintained Yamaha from 1985 is worth far more than a neglected Steinway from 1910.
4. Type and Size
Within brands, size affects value:
Grand pianos: Generally worth more than uprights of equivalent quality Larger instruments: Usually more valuable than smaller ones Full-size uprights: Worth more than spinets and consoles
5. Documentation and Provenance
Value additions:
- Original purchase receipts
- Service history
- Documented restoration work
- Notable previous ownership
- Limited editions or special finishes
Piano Value by Brand Tier
Here’s a general guide to second-hand piano values in the UK market (2026):
Top Tier Brands
These brands command premium prices and hold value well:
| Brand | Type | Age Range | Typical UK Value |
| Steinway & Sons | Grand | Post-2000 | £40,000 – £150,000+ |
| Steinway & Sons | Grand | 1950-2000 | £25,000 – £60,000 |
| Steinway & Sons | Upright | Any | £8,000 – £25,000 |
| Bösendorfer | Grand | Any | £25,000 – £100,000+ |
| C. Bechstein | Grand | Any | £15,000 – £60,000 |
| Blüthner | Grand | Any | £10,000 – £45,000 |
Premium Brands
Excellent instruments with strong second-hand markets:
| Brand | Type | Age Range | Typical UK Value |
| Yamaha | Grand (C-series) | Any | £8,000 – £35,000 |
| Yamaha | Upright (U-series) | Any | £2,500 – £8,000 |
| Kawai | Grand | Any | £7,000 – £25,000 |
| Kawai | Upright (K-series) | Any | £2,000 – £6,000 |
Mid-Range Brands
Solid instruments with moderate resale values:
| Brand | Type | Typical UK Value |
| Boston (by Steinway) | Any | £5,000 – £20,000 |
| Essex (by Steinway) | Any | £2,500 – £8,000 |
| Young Chang | Any | £1,000 – £5,000 |
| Samick | Any | £800 – £4,000 |
Budget and Historical British Brands
Values vary enormously based on condition:
| Brand | Type | Typical UK Value |
| Various Chinese | Upright | £200 – £2,000 |
| Old British makes | Upright | £100 – £2,000 |
| Unbranded/Unknown | Any | £0 – £500 |
How Condition Affects Value
Condition can swing values by 50% or more. Here’s how condition translates to pricing:
Excellent Condition
Characteristics:
- Professionally maintained throughout life
- Perfect or near-perfect action response
- No structural issues (soundboard, pin block)
- Excellent cosmetic condition
- Recent tuning that holds well
Value impact: 100% of market value for age and brand
Good Condition
Characteristics:
- Regular maintenance history
- Plays well, minor regulation needed
- No structural issues
- Some cosmetic wear (minor scratches, light fading)
- Holds tune reasonably
Value impact: 70-85% of excellent condition value
Fair Condition
Characteristics:
- Irregular maintenance
- Playable but needs work
- Minor structural concerns possible
- Obvious cosmetic wear
- Tuning may be unstable
Value impact: 40-60% of excellent condition value
Poor Condition
Characteristics:
- Neglected maintenance
- Significant playing problems
- Possible structural issues
- Major cosmetic problems
- Difficult to tune
Value impact: 15-35% of excellent condition value, sometimes less than zero (cost of disposal exceeds value)
Upright Piano Values UK
Modern Japanese Uprights (Yamaha, Kawai)
The most reliable segment of the second-hand market:
| Model | Age | Excellent | Good | Fair |
| Yamaha U1 (121cm) | 2010+ | £5,000-£6,500 | £4,000-£5,000 | £2,500-£4,000 |
| Yamaha U1 | 1990-2010 | £4,000-£5,500 | £3,000-£4,000 | £2,000-£3,000 |
| Yamaha U1 | 1970-1990 | £3,000-£4,500 | £2,500-£3,500 | £1,500-£2,500 |
| Yamaha U3 (131cm) | Any | Add 20-30% to U1 prices | ||
| Kawai K-series | Comparable to Yamaha equivalents |
European Uprights
Quality varies significantly:
| Origin | Era | Excellent | Good | Fair |
| German (top brands) | Any | £4,000-£15,000 | £2,500-£8,000 | £1,000-£4,000 |
| German (mid-range) | Any | £2,000-£6,000 | £1,000-£3,500 | £500-£1,500 |
| British (quality makes) | Pre-1940 | £1,000-£4,000 | £500-£2,000 | £100-£800 |
| British (average makes) | Any | £200-£1,500 | £100-£800 | £0-£300 |
Modern Chinese/Indonesian
New instruments sell for £1,500-£4,000; second-hand values typically £200-£1,500 depending on age and condition.
Grand Piano Values UK
Grand pianos generally hold value better than uprights due to their superior musical qualities.
Baby Grands (Under 5’6“)
| Brand Tier | Age | Excellent | Good | Fair |
| Top tier | Any | £25,000-£80,000+ | £15,000-£40,000 | £8,000-£20,000 |
| Premium | Post-2000 | £12,000-£25,000 | £8,000-£15,000 | £5,000-£10,000 |
| Premium | 1980-2000 | £8,000-£18,000 | £5,000-£12,000 | £3,000-£7,000 |
| Mid-range | Any | £4,000-£12,000 | £2,500-£8,000 | £1,500-£4,000 |
Medium to Large Grands (5’6“+)
Larger grands command premium prices:
| Brand Tier | Size | Excellent | Good |
| Top tier | 6’+ | £40,000-£150,000+ | £25,000-£70,000 |
| Premium | 6’+ | £15,000-£40,000 | £10,000-£25,000 |
| Mid-range | 6’+ | £8,000-£20,000 | £5,000-£12,000 |
When Pianos Have Little Value
Not every piano has monetary value. Some common situations:
No Resale Value
- Unknown brands with no quality reputation
- Irreparable damage: Cracked soundboards, failed pin blocks, broken frames
- Excessive age without quality: Pre-war British uprights of average manufacture
- Superseded technology: Early digital pianos, player piano mechanisms
Negative Value
Some pianos actually cost money to own:
- Disposal required: If a piano can’t be sold or given away, disposal costs £150-£300
- Restoration exceeds value: When repair costs exceed the resulting value
- Storage costs: Ongoing storage fees while trying to sell
Our honest advice: If three piano dealers decline interest in your instrument, it probably has little market value. Consider piano disposal rather than paying for storage or unsuccessful marketing.
Getting a Professional Valuation
For accurate valuation, consult professionals:
When You Need Professional Valuation
- Insurance purposes: Requires documented value
- Selling valuable instruments: Ensures fair pricing
- Estate settlement: Legal requirements
- Divorce proceedings: Asset division
- Major restoration decisions: Cost vs. resulting value
Who Can Value Your Piano
Piano technicians: Many tuners offer valuation services (£50-£150) Piano dealers: Often provide free assessments (but may be biased if buying) Specialist valuers: For high-value or antique instruments Auction houses: For exceptional instruments
What a Valuation Includes
Professional valuation typically covers:
- Brand identification and verification
- Age determination (serial number lookup)
- Mechanical condition assessment
- Structural integrity check
- Cosmetic condition evaluation
- Market comparison
- Written valuation report
Selling Your Piano
If you decide to sell:
Pricing Strategies
Research comparable sales: Check completed listings on eBay, Gumtree, and specialist sites Be realistic: Sentimental value doesn’t translate to market value Consider buyer costs: They’ll need to pay for moving (£150-£300+) and tuning (£80-£120) Price for negotiation: Most buyers expect to negotiate
Where to Sell
Online marketplaces: eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree Specialist sites: Piano World classifieds, UKPianos Local dealers: May buy outright or sell on consignment Music schools: Sometimes purchase for teaching Private sale: Word of mouth, local advertising
What Buyers Want
- Clear photographs from multiple angles
- Honest condition description
- Brand, model, and age
- Reason for selling
- Flexibility on viewing times
Moving Arrangements
Clarify who arranges and pays for moving. We can move pianos for private sales throughout our service area.
Frequently Asked Questions
To value your piano, identify the brand and model, determine its age (serial numbers can be looked up online), honestly assess its condition, and compare to similar instruments sold in the UK. For significant value or formal purposes, get a professional valuation from a piano technician.
It depends entirely on the piano. A well-maintained Steinway from 1920 could be worth £30,000+. A neglected British upright from the same era might have no value—or negative value if disposal is needed. Age alone doesn’t determine value; brand, condition, and market demand matter more.
A 100-year-old piano could be worth anything from £0 to £50,000+ depending on brand and condition. Top-tier German and American brands from the 1920s in good condition command excellent prices. Average-quality instruments of similar age often have little or no value.
Possibly, but probably not extremely. Most inherited pianos are mid-range instruments that were good family pianos but don’t command collector prices. Have it assessed by a technician who can identify the brand and evaluate condition. Be prepared for the possibility that it has modest value or none.
Yamaha uprights range from about £2,500 to £8,000 second-hand, depending on model and condition. The U1 typically sells for £3,000-£5,500, the U3 for £4,000-£7,000. Yamaha grands range from £8,000 to £35,000+. Yamahas hold value well due to their reputation for quality and reliability.
Contact a piano technician (many tuners offer valuation services), a piano dealer, or for high-value instruments, a specialist valuer or auction house. Expect to pay £50-£150 for a written valuation. Some dealers offer free assessments but may be interested in purchasing.
Next Steps
Need to Move Your Piano?
Whether you’re selling, relocating, or rearranging, we provide professional piano moving throughout Gloucestershire and beyond.
Considering Disposal?
If your piano has little value and needs removing, our piano disposal service provides responsible removal.
Want Storage While Deciding?
Our piano storage facilities give you time to make decisions without pressure.
Get a free quote or call 07787 135541.
Summary
Understanding your piano’s value involves:
- Brand identification: Top-tier brands command premium prices
- Condition assessment: Often the most important factor
- Realistic expectations: Most pianos aren’t valuable antiques
- Professional valuation: Essential for significant decisions
- Market awareness: What similar pianos actually sell for
Not every piano has monetary value, but that doesn’t diminish the musical joy it may have provided. If your piano does have value, proper moving and care preserve that investment.
About A1 Piano Removals
We move pianos of all values throughout Gloucestershire and the South West—from student uprights to concert grands worth six figures. Whatever your piano’s value, we treat it with the same care and expertise. Contact us for moving, storage, or disposal services.
Last Updated: January 2026 Author: A1 Piano Removals Team
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