Used equipment prices almost as high as new

4 Feb 22 With the price of new construction machinery on the rise, it seems that you can sell young used plant for almost what you paid for it.

A construction machinery auction in Leeds last week revealed huge demand for good used machinery, with certain second-hand machines changing hands for almost their original purchase price.

High residual values were particularly evident for telescopic handlers and mini-excavators.

"The prices achieved for telehandlers and mini-diggers were literally on-fire, with 17 and 18 plate machines making close to new money,” said Euro Auctions sales manager Chris Osborne.

The Euro Auction Leeds sales last week put 4,600 lots under the hammer, ranging from brand new to 48 months old.

The four-day sale – online as well as in person – generated a total of nearly £39m. Approximately 60% of buyers were from the UK and the Republic of Ireland – there was strong foreign interest but they were often outbid.

Domestic buyers bought 48% of the lots, by value (£18.89m), with buyers from mainland Europe accounting for a similar percentage (£18.86m total).

Sales manager Chris Osborne said: “Prices were strong, with the same number of lots going over the ramp as in January 2021. However at this sale the hammer was £39m, an increase of over £10m over the January sale in 2021. Clearly bidders were determined to purchase new stock."

He continued: "The prices achieved for telehandlers and mini-diggers were literally on-fire, with 17 and 18 plate machines making close to new money. With good stock on offer in the 2018 to 2021 bracket there were over 123 excavators and 22 telehandlers less than four years old. With OEMs passing three price increases to their dealers over the last 18 months this has had a startling effect on the price of used machinery. There were many gems making very good money, with hot bidding for telehandlers and mini diggers.”

Mr Osborne said that, of all the equipment sold, his top picks of the best performing lots is:

2017 Cat D6T LGP straight blade & tilt - 2158 hrs £197,500
2021 Cat 301.5 mini excavator, rubber tracks, blade, offset £ 19,000
2019 Kubota KX080-4 six-tonne excavator, rubber tracks, blade, offset, 1,547 hrs £47,000
2019 Thwaites 9-tonne dumper, full cab £37,500
2019 JCB 3CX P21 Eco backhoe loader £44,000
2018 Manitou MT1840 Easy Turbo telehandler £52,000
2018 JCB 535-95 Turbo Powershift telehandler £42,000
2017 JCB 540-140 Hi Viz Turbo Powershift telehandler £46,000
2017 Kobelco SK350LC-10 20-tonne excavator £89,000
2017 Cat 320FL 20-tonne excavator £ 70,000
2016 JCB 540-170 Turbo Powershift telehandler £48,000
2014 Volvo A30G 6x6 articulated dump truck £105,000
2009 Volvo A25E 6x6 articulated dump truck £62,000