Buy For The Application
Used forklifts can be worth considering where a business has a continuing handling requirement and wants to own its equipment. The truck still needs to match the load, lift height and site, regardless of its asking price. We help shape enquiries around the intended work rather than an assumed available stock list.
Supply the heaviest load, pallet dimensions, required lift height and working environment. Note low doors, tight turns and the surface between storage and loading areas. A truck that looks suitable in a yard photograph may have the wrong mast, power type or residual lifting capacity for your application.
Read The Condition And History Together
Ask for the machine identity, hour reading, service records and details of known defects or substantial repairs. Recorded hours are one part of the picture, rather than proof of condition. Compare them with the use history and a competent assessment of the truck's mechanical and structural state.
Examine fork wear, mast and carriage movement, tyres, steering and braking alongside the controls and safety devices. A fresh finish does not establish the condition of components underneath. Any attachment should have an appropriate capacity assessment and identification so it is considered as part of the operating configuration.
Battery Condition Can Change The Decision
For an electric used forklift, request information on the battery and charger as well as the truck. A machine that performs briefly during a viewing may not support a full shift. Ask what battery assessment is available and whether its condition suits the expected daily workload.
Confirm charger compatibility and the electrical supply needed at your premises before purchase. Look at connectors and cables through a competent inspection and clarify what battery care will involve. If an eventual battery replacement would materially change the purchase decision, understand that exposure before agreeing the price.
Documents And Workplace Safety
Used equipment provided for work must be considered under PUWER, and lifting duties under LOLER remain relevant. Check instructions, maintenance records and the report of thorough examination, including any defects and actions. A sales description alone is not a substitute for checking the machine's suitability and documentation.
Where equipment has been imported, significantly modified or supplied under unusual circumstances, the applicable product safety duties may need closer review. The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 and current Great Britain guidance explain relevant supply requirements. Ask for competent advice about the particular machine rather than assuming age or a visible marking settles every question.
A Practical Buying Process
Begin with a written specification and budget scope, then request options that actually meet the application. Ask for current photographs and available records before arranging a viewing or assessment. Any operational demonstration needs a safe area, an authorised operator and appropriate precautions for the equipment and load.
Agree the condition, included attachments, charger, delivery and any written warranty terms before accepting an offer. Record what is excluded and how defects identified before handover will be handled. Once delivered, complete site familiarisation and set up maintenance and examination arrangements before integrating the truck into normal operations.
What Affects Used Forklift Cost
Used forklift prices reflect specification, condition, age, hours, power source, battery health and preparation work. A specialist mast or attachment can change both cost and suitability. Delivery, additional repairs and the maintenance needed soon after purchase should be included in the comparison, rather than considering the purchase figure alone.
Ask for the terms of any warranty in writing, including duration, scope, exclusions and the procedure for reporting an issue. No particular truck or stock availability is promised on this page. Send your operational requirement so a suitable enquiry can be considered, or compare hire if the need is temporary or uncertain.
Safety references: HSE: PUWER, HSE: Lift-Truck Thorough Examination, HSE: Lift-Truck Training and HSE: Examination And Defects.
Supply reference: GOV.UK: Machinery Supply Requirements In Great Britain.
Used Forklifts Questions
What Should I Check Before Buying A Used Forklift?
Before buying a used forklift, check that its capacity, mast, power type and dimensions match your site. Request service history, examination records, machine identity and a competent condition assessment. Include the battery, charger and attachments in the review, and agree the exact condition and documents to be provided at handover.
Is A Low-Hour Used Forklift Always Better?
A low-hour used forklift is not automatically the better machine. Working conditions, maintenance, storage and battery care can matter as much as the hour reading. Assess the records alongside the truck's actual condition and intended workload, and ask for any unexplained gaps or inconsistencies to be clarified before making a decision.
Do Used Forklifts Come With A Warranty?
Used forklifts come with a warranty only where the seller includes one in the written terms. The coverage may distinguish between components, labour, batteries and wear items. Ask exactly what is covered, how a claim is raised and which costs remain your responsibility rather than relying on a general reference to a warranty.
Planning work at a London site? Check our areas covered and send your equipment requirement with the postcode.