Buying a Second Hand Forklift Truck
Posted on January 6, 2010 by Samuel Cheeseman
Purchasing a second hand forklift could be a wise investment if you take the time to ensure you are getting a good deal before coming to any agreement with the seller. You can often save several thousand pounds or dollars when purchasing second hand forklifts and still obtain a good quality machine which is relatively modern with some of the newer features. As with any vehicle a forklift will lose a significant portion of its value due to depreciation over the first few years of its lifetime. This will inevitably mean that considerable savings can be made by the purchaser of a used vehicle which is still relatively new and may not have had much usage.
Finding a Quality Vehicle
Used forklifts should be treated like any other pre-owned vehicle and should be inspected thoroughly and test driven before purchase. There is usually a large number of second hand forklift trucks for sale but many will have problems with leakages from the engine or hoses and maybe from some other areas as well. You should have a working knowledge of forklift trucks so that you can inspect vehicles for problems of this kind. If you feel that you do not know enough to comfortably check a forklift for damage or excessive wear then you should be accompanied by someone with the necessary expertise to advise you.
Any forklift you plan on purchasing should come complete with a service history showing any work and route checks that have been carried out on the vehicle in the past. You may also want to check that the vehicle you are planning to purchase is still in production. If it is not then you may find it difficult to obtain replacement parts for your specific model. Your supplier will be able to advise you about the availability of forklift spares that will be compatible with your model.
Wherever possible you should try and purchase a used machine from a reputable dealer rather than from a private seller. Many of these forklifts will come with a warranty lasting a few years which will give you some kind of fall back if anything should go wrong with your machine. Machines purchased from a dealership are also likely to be in better condition as any problems would have been fixed by a reputable dealer before the vehicle was offered for sale.
Pricing
The price of a second hand forklift truck will depend on many things including the age of the vehicle, the usage it has received, how well it has been maintained and obviously the original value. The most basic second hand forklift trucks will start at around £1000 or $1500 although these will likely be older and outdated models. You can expect to pay anything up to £8000 or $12000 for newer models which are in great condition and only one or two years old. The majority of second hand forklift trucks will be priced between £4000 and £6000 or $6000-$9000. The majority of buyers should be able to find a good quality machine that suits the requirements of their forklift jobs within this price range.
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