The Refurbished Forklift Buying Guide
The terms ‘refurbished’ and ‘used’ are often mistaken for ‘old’ or ‘sub-par’. However, this is really not the case. Refurbished forklifts stocked by reputable dealerships should be rigorously tested by experts before being resold.
Strict quality controls and legal compliance should ensure the forklift is safe to operate. During the refurbishment process, safety-vital and worn parts such as tyres and brakes are replaced with genuine spare parts. Any remaining parts are thoroughly examined and cleaned.
If any issues caused the previous owner to sell the truck, the broken parts will have been replaced in the refurbishment process. Of course, it still helps to be careful when choosing your second-hand forklift.
In many cases, buying refurbished means getting a like-new machine for a considerably lower price. Investing in a refurbished fleet instead of a brand new one could save you as much as 40% of the cost.
This refurbished forklift buying guide will talk you through what to look for when buying your refurbished forklift, so that you get the best quality machine for your requirements.
Always buy from a reputed seller
Always check that the seller you are buying from is legitimate. This means that your forklift won’t be counterfeit or poorly refurbished, and is more likely to come with a genuine warranty from the manufacturer.
Multy Lift is a trusted and official Mitsubishi and Caterpillar forklift dealership. If you’re uncertain as to the trustworthiness of a dealership, you can always check on a specific manufacturer’s list of dealers, such as Mitsubishi’s, to see if they are credible.
You can also determine the legitimacy of a seller by their accreditations and certifications. Multy Lift are accredited with ISO (International Standards Organisation) Certification in Environmental, Quality Management and BSI OHSAS (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems). We are also an accredited member of the British Safety Council (BSC), so you can rest assured that our used forklifts are safe and professionally refurbished.
Ask the right questions
If you’re uncertain about something, just ask. Ask about part warranties and the forklift’s history. Sometimes, there will be extra costs associated with your purchase, so ask about these too. If you ask about everything, there will be no nasty surprises.
Multy Lift has no hidden costs or crazy deals to sift through – just good quality refurbished forklifts. Our warranty information is clearly laid out on each of our product pages.
See for yourself
The best way to check is to see the forklift before you buy it. Some dealers may even let you test drive. Try to consider every part of the machine; test the brakes, look at the condition of the tyres, listen to the engine, look for anything unusual in the steering or mast controls, check the hour meter to see if it’s been tampered with, etc.
This should give you assurance before purchasing the forklift that everything is in working order.
Check Certification
Refurbished forklifts should come with the correct certification to show that the truck has been examined and is safe to operate. You’ll want to keep these for your records.
Multy Lift forklifts come with LOLER safety certification and Thorough Examination certificates where applicable.
Check mileage and service reports
A full-service history report can identify any previous issues and any repair work that a specific forklift had. You should know the full condition of the forklift before purchasing to ensure it is safe and good value for your money.
We are always honest about our forklift trucks, their age and their previous usage, each of which can be found on product pages, with additional information available upon request.
Assess forklift suitability
To the untrained eye, many forklifts will look the same, but there are certain variations which make some forklift types more suitable to specific applications than others. Make a list of all your requirements before beginning your search, from budget to operational logistics.
For example, will the forklift be in use for lengthy periods of time? Will it be used indoors or outdoors? Is environmental impact a concern for your business? How heavy is the average load it will need to carry? Are there any space restrictions or requirements for the size of the forklift and its mast reach?
All forklifts should come with a rating plate which tells you the weight that a vehicle can safely lift. Alternatively, this safety-critical information is on each of our product pages. However much you require a forklift to lift, your chosen truck should be able to lift higher.
You should also decide whether buying a forklift is the right option for you. As well as outright and lease purchase, Multy Lift also offers contract hire options on all used warehouse equipment for greater financial flexibility.
If you’re still unsure about which refurbished forklift to buy and would like to discuss your requirements with one of our team, get in touch today on 0800 8620 819.
