Should You Buy a Used or New Forklift?

Many small to medium-sized business owners need a forklift. If you have a warehouse, large storeroom or other storage space, it will be essential. You can save a lot of time and reduce the risk of manual handling.

If you’ve decided to buy a forklift, you’ll need to make a choice between new and used models. Luckily, that’s where we come in.

Today we’re going to take a look at the pros and cons of both types of purchases. By the time you’ve finished reading this blog, you’ll have all the information you need to make a decision. After all, it’s your business and any decision you make should be an informed one.

Budget

Your budget is going to play a major role in any decision you make. Of course, a new forklift will be more expensive than a used one and not everyone has the money spend on a brand new forklift. So if you’re concerned about your budget, a used model may be the best bet.

Cost Effective

Any investment in your business should be cost effective. Otherwise, it’s just not a smart business move. A used forklift is a cost effective solution for most small to medium sized businesses. This is because small to medium sized businesses don’t tend to use their forklifts constantly.

A used forklift is actually a good investment if it’s only used 5 days a week, for 4-5 hours a day. If you need a forklift constantly, then a new one may be the better choice for you.

Warranty

One of the benefits of buying new is that you get the manufacturer’s warranty. This means that you’re covered for the duration of the warranty if your forklift breaks down or malfunctions.

A reputable used forklift dealer will also often include a warranty with their sale. If you’re concerned about warranties, talk to the experts and see what options they can offer you.

Reconditioning

A good used forklift dealer will recondition their units before resale. This means a new paint job, new tyres, an engine tune-up and any other mechanical repairs. This means that although you’re buying a used model, you’re often getting one that is as good as new.

Small or Large Business?

As a rule of thumb, a large business should probably go with a new forklift. This is because it will get used a lot and will need ongoing service maintenance and repairs. In the long run, you will save money that may have been spent on renting and ongoing repairs.

A small or medium sized business won’t need as much capacity from their forklift, which means the ongoing maintenance costs will be lower. This makes a used forklift a sensible and affordable investment.

Looking for a Forklift?

Are you looking for a new or used forklift? Aussie Forklift Sales can help. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.