Is it Worth it to Buy a Preowned Lift Vehicle?
It’s natural for a business owner or facility manager to want to cut costs wherever possible. For warehouse management, this often includes striking a balance between cost, quality, and performance when deciding whether to purchase a new forklift for their fleet or finding a preowned model at a lower price to maintain profit margins. Whether you’re looking for a specific vehicle or open to various makes or models, there are multiple factors to consider and questions to ask before you purchase.
What is the Intended Use of the Forklift?
Think long and hard about the forklift features and functions required to handle your warehouse tasks and whether the used equipment can deliver what you need. Also, consider whether the initial savings of buying an older model will outweigh the long-term costs. Lighter-duty forklifts generally last longer and maintain their value over time because they have lower load capacities and fewer use-hours. This means that buying used is often a safe bet. A good benchmark is for 1-4 hours of daily operations consider used; anything over 5 hours per day pre-owned is not likely a good fit.
If you’re buying a forklift for heavy-duty, large-scale tasks that will see regular use, pre-owned vehicles may not be as economical a choice. Ultimately, it’s a decision that you have to make on a case-by-case basis, and taking the time to consider planned forklift usage on a daily and long-term basis will help you make the best decision.
Is It Worth the Risk?
One of the primary factors to consider when buying a used forklift is the likelihood and cost of significant repairs. The last thing you want is to be pouring the money you supposedly “saved” by getting a used model into constant maintenance and replacement parts. Some of the average costs of major forklift repairs are below:
- Complete Brake Job – $2500
- Set of Tires – $900
- Replacement of Hydraulic Hoses – $1500
- Hydraulic Pump and Cylinder – $4100
- Battery – $5000
- Engine Rebuild – $5700
While costs vary for repair work, there’s an expectation of repairs sooner than later with a preowned vehicle. Additionally, not all used forklift dealers offer a warranty on used equipment.
What Do You Know About the Vehicle?
You can protect yourself against unknown variables by doing your due diligence. There are multiple questions to be answered, such as:
- Age of Vehicle – When you’re purchasing a vehicle that’s 10-15 years old, you’re inheriting someone’s wear-and-tear. The first thing you should find out is the vehicle’s age and assess its condition relative to its age.
- Hours of Use –Actual forklift age is measured in hours. The average lifespan is between 10,000-15,000 hours, but this varies based on maintenance records and manufacturer. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for use hours for that specific vehicle.
- Service Records – Like buying a car, you want to make sure that the seller has all of the service records and assess whether the previous owner properly maintained the forklift throughout its life. Verify how many shifts per day the vehicle was used and in what capacity and application.
- What Do You Know About the Dealer? – Make sure the forklift dealer is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and is a reputable organization. Find out if they offer a forklift maintenance plan to give you additional peace of mind.
Can I See It in Action?
Thoroughly inspect the forklift before you purchase. This should include inspecting all areas and taking it for a “test-drive”:
- Check the engine for oil leaks, check brake and transmission fluid, and make sure all belts are tight and lubricated.
- Ask the dealer how much battery life is left. The average battery lasts around five years. If the battery is older, see if they’ll replace it for you before purchase.
- Check tires for chunking, tread wear, smoothness, punctures, tears, air leaks, and other hazards to make sure they’re performance-ready or add the purchase price of new tires to the cost of buying the vehicle.
- Check your forks for integrity issues. Look for cracks or fissures that can compromise performance and safety.
You should also look for gaps or cracks in the forklift’s chains and check the mast lift action to see if it is smooth or rough. Bring a trained and experienced technician with you to help you check for these and other potentially problematic issues.
Ask for the 3-Day Apex Test Drive – We get that you may want to “kick the tires,” so Apex goes one better with our 3-day used vehicle trial run. Traditionally, over 97% of our customers are thrilled with their purchase, but the vehicle is free to return for the 3% that need something different. Note 3-day trials for current in-stock vehicles only.
Sit Back, Relax and Shop Online for Your Next Used Vehicle
Now more than ever, shopping for brand new or even “new to me” items takes place online. Used forklift equipment is no exception; however, what can seem like a great deal on the screen may not meet your expectations when the rubber hits the ground, as it were. While extra work sounds like, well… extra work, the Apex team is here to share the burden.
If you don’t see what you’re looking for on our Used Equipment Inventory page, we’ll help you find the vehicle that meets your requirements and budget and ensure that it holds up to our quality standards. We have several partnerships with leading manufacturers and wholesalers spread across the country that allow us to source the vehicles you need. We also inspect, recondition, and replace worn components to ensure your equipment is ready to go on day one. Our work is backed by the Apex equipment warranty you choose.
Basic 30/30 Warranty
- Standard 30-day Warranty – covers each used industrial truck, material, and workmanship for thirty (30) days or 150 hours from the delivery date to the purchase
- Extended 30-day Warranty – Warranty extends an additional 30-days or 200 hours following the basic Warranty for specific components.
Basic 30/1-year Warranty
- Standard 30-day Warranty – covers each used industrial truck, material, and workmanship for thirty (30) days or 150 hours from the delivery date to the purchase
- Extended 1-year Warranty – Warranty extends an additional 1-year or 1200 hours following the basic Warranty for specific components. Exclusions and limitations apply. Call for more information.
Let APEX Guide You through the Used Forklift Purchase Experience
Investing your company’s capital in used forklifts can be a gamble, but Apex is ready to provide you peace of mind and assurance every step of the way. We offer a full suite of quality, thoroughly inspected preowned lift vehicles from the leading manufacturers, as well as maintenance plans and service agreements to keep them healthy and increase their longevity and performance. Our in-house parts team is always available to help you make quick and seamless repairs to keep your vehicles in action and working for you, and we offer prompt and reliable battery charger and repair service when you need it. Contact our experienced and qualified team today.