Euro Auctions: The Used Equipment Market In The Middle East Is Predicted To Boom In The Next 12 Months

1. Research 

Do your research before you visit the auction. Decide what it is you are looking for, making a list of some of the specific requirements to ensure that you purchase the right piece of machinery. Avoid making impulse purchases and paying over the odds for a machine you can’t afford.

2. Location, Price & Budget 

Consider from where you want to buy, via a closed or public auction, where it will be possible to view multiples of the same equipment giving buyers choice. Regarding price, ask: Does it feel right? Is it too cheap? If it is, there could be a problem. Predetermine your budget, or at least be sure what the bank or finance house is prepared to advance for such a purchase.

3. Visual Checks

The simplest check is visual. Is it clean, leaking fluid, does it start, is it smoking? Do all the controls work, are rams tight, are slew rings (for diggers) tight or slack, are tyres and wheels in good order? If not, how much would you have to spend to put things right if you bought it.

4. General Condition

Look for overspray and painted-over decals that may indicate haste in painting or intent to cover up a problem. A cleaned or washed machine may be the mark of past good maintenance, or intent to ‘wash away’ potential problems. Look for fresh oil seeps and ‘new looking’ paint that was, until recently, protected by years of built-up grease. Look for new gasket edges and shiny metal where parts join, indicating new parts. You’ll need to know what caused a part to fail and need replacing. 

5. Damage Limitation

Check engine for water stains. Also check the engine block for evidence of oil leaks. Check the dipstick, for heavy dirt deposits indicating the equipment could have been sitting for a long time. Thicker oils are sometimes used to reduce leakage. Check the owner’s manual for the proper oil grade. Lastly, check the floor and under the seats for signs of rust.

6. Check VIN Plate

Check the VIN plate for condition and its current position. Is its position consistent with other models in the same class? Is it fixed with new rivets that don’t match? Does it look out of place? Is it stuck on by some other means? Has a serial number been ground off and that area repainted?  

7. Contractors Equipment

Contractors sometimes buy less-expensive agricultural equipment for their more demanding industrial uses. Watch out for points of excess wear plus oversized or heavy-duty tires not typical of the equipment. Look for hammer marks, kinks in hoses and part misalignment,  indicating that the wrong parts were used or care during assembly was ignored.

8. Check History

Check the history of the machine. Is the service history available? If not, who has owned the machine previously? A couple of phone calls should turn up some intelligence. If the machine appears to be an ‘ex-hire’ item, call the hire company and ask a few questions.

9. 'Run It' and 'Drive It'

Obvious, but not always done! Start the machine and observe any start-up problems, smoke puffs or unusual sounds. Load machines in all gears once warmed up to check for desired lugging power.