A Buyers GuideTo Refurbished Forklifts

Are you thinking of buying a refurbished forklift? If you are, you’re making a sensible choice. A decent refurbished forklift will be great value for money, especially if you run a small business, and are managing on a tight budget.

But, before laying out any money for your new refurbished forklift, there are a few things to consider to help make sure the refurbished forklift you buy, lives up to your expectations and is able to safely carry out the work you require.

In this buyers guide to refurbished forklifts, we’ve put together 4 tips designed to help anyone new to buying a refurbished forklift make a more informed choice.

1. Get verbal recommendations of forklift sellers

   
   

   There are few better ways to gauge how good a seller of refurbished forklifts is than by talking to people who have already used them. But, make sure you ask around, and not just rely on the opinion of the first person you ask – they may have just been lucky or have a financial incentive.

   
   



2. Check out the forklift sellers credentials online

   
   

   One way to do this is by heading over to the UK Material Handling Association website at ukmha.org.uk, to find out if the seller you’ve chosen is a member, and follows the associations ‘common code of practice’ which insists that:

   
   
   
   
   • All trucks are in a safe and serviceable condition
   
   
   • All engineers are competent and qualified
   
   
   • All health and safety checks have been carried out
   
   
   • They hold up to date records of all vehicles
   
   
   • They behave with care and integrity
   
   
   • They carry out transactions in line with the association and industry
   
   
   
   



3. Test-drive the forklift

   
   

   If the refurbished forklift seller you’ve chosen is the genuine article, they won’t have any issue with offering you a test-drive prior to buying your refurbished forklift. And remember, during the test-drive:

   
   
   
   
   • Listen closely to the engine, checking for anything that doesn’t sound right
   
   
   • Use the brakes at different speeds, to ensure they’re consistently efficient, and not spongy or noisy
   
   
   • Look out for any excessive smoke
   
   
   • Leave the engine running when taking a look at the engine, or underneath the vehicle, to help you easily spot oil or coolant leaks.
   
   
   • Check the lights, and any other less obvious components for faults or excessive wear and tear
   
   
   
   



4. Check for forklift safety and compliance

   
   

   Your new refurbished forklift must meet certain criteria and be fit for purpose. So make sure to check for things such as:
   

   
   
   
   
   • A CE mark – A mark to show that the forklift meets all the EU Health and Safety Requirements
   
   
   • It’s been inspected – Check that the forks and chains have been fully inspected in line with PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) and LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations).
   
   
   
   

Contact Us

If you’re looking for a reputable, refurbished forklift provider, look no further than Beds & Bucks Forktrucks Ltd., one of the UKs leading new and refurbished forklift providers.