Most used JCBs, mini diggers and telehandlers in the UK are sold through plant dealers, hire companies selling older machines, auctions and online marketplaces where all of those sellers list stock. The best place to buy depends on your budget, how much risk you’ll take on condition and how far you’re willing to travel to see a machine.
Where can I buy used plant machinery in the UK?
You can buy used plant machinery in the UK from dealers, hire companies, auctions and online marketplaces. Dealers usually charge more but many prepare machines and offer a warranty, while auctions can be cheaper but you buy as seen.
Hire companies sell older machines when they renew their fleets. If you buy ex-hire, ask for the service records the hire company has kept, because a machine serviced on schedule is a safer buy than one with gaps in its history.
Online marketplaces bring all of these sellers together. On The Commercial Trader, you can browse used plant machinery from dealers, plant hire companies, manufacturers and end users across the UK, filter by year, hours and location, and contact each seller directly.
Where can I buy a used JCB?
You can buy a used JCB from JCB dealers, independent plant dealers, auctions and marketplaces. JCB dealers sell used machines alongside new ones, which suits buyers who want a prepared machine and dealer support.
On The Commercial Trader, used JCB 3CX and 4CX machines are listed under backhoe loaders, and JCB mini diggers and Loadall telehandlers sit in their own categories.
Where can I buy a used mini digger?
Used mini diggers are sold by plant dealers, hire companies, auctions and private owners such as builders and landscapers. On The Commercial Trader, start with used mini diggers and narrow the list by year, hours and distance from you.
Before you buy, check the hours against the machine’s age, the tracks and undercarriage, the slew, the hydraulic hoses and rams, and which buckets and quick hitch come with it. Our guide to buying used excavators and dumpers covers what to inspect.
Where can I buy a used telehandler?
Used telehandlers are sold by construction and farm machinery dealers, hire companies, auctions and marketplaces, including used telehandlers on The Commercial Trader. JCB, Manitou, Merlo and Bobcat are common makes, so you can usually compare similar machines from several sellers.
Ask for the latest LOLER thorough examination report before you buy. Telehandlers are lifting equipment, so they need a thorough examination at least every 12 months, or every six months if they’re used to lift people, unless a written examination scheme sets different intervals.
Then check the boom for wear and damage, the wear pads, the hydraulics for leaks, the tyres, and which attachments are included.
How much is a used JCB 3CX worth?
A used JCB 3CX is worth what similar machines are selling for, so the most reliable way to value one is to compare live asking prices for machines of the same age, hours and spec. Prices range widely between older, high-hour machines and recent, low-hour ones, so a single figure won’t tell you much.
Hours usually matter more than age. A well-maintained older machine with modest hours can be a better buy than a newer one that’s been worked hard, and a full service history adds value.
Spec makes a difference too. A four-in-one front shovel, an extending dipper, a quick hitch, hammer pipework and an automatic gearbox all add value, as do good tyres and tight pins and bushes.
To value a 3CX, compare live listings for similar machines on The Commercial Trader and other marketplaces, look at recent auction results and ask a dealer what they’d pay or charge. Asking prices aren’t selling prices, so expect some room to negotiate, and check whether each price includes VAT.
Which marketplace has the most used plant listings?
No single marketplace has the most listings for every type of machine, and the numbers change every week. The best test is to search for the exact make and model you want on two or three sites and compare what’s actually available.
When you compare, look at how recently listings were added, how many are complete machines rather than parts or attachments, and how close the machines are to you. The Commercial Trader lists plant across dozens of categories, from mini diggers to cranes, with sellers from across the UK.
How do I check a used machine isn’t stolen?
Ask the seller for proof of ownership, such as the original purchase invoice, and check the serial number on the machine matches the paperwork. Then check the machine against a stolen plant database such as TER before you pay.
Look for the CESAR registration plate as well. CESAR is the official police-backed registration and marking scheme for construction and agricultural machinery, and JCB has fitted it as standard since 2007.
Be wary of a price well below similar machines, a seller who won’t let you see the machine where it’s kept, and pressure to pay before a viewing. TER, which runs a stolen plant register, has warned that fraudsters increasingly use fake profiles and fake payment confirmations to sell stolen machinery online.
Frequently asked questions
Are ex-hire machines a good buy?
They can be, as long as the service records are complete. Ex-hire machines may have been used by many different operators, so check the hours, pins and bushes, hydraulics and undercarriage, and ask for the hire company’s service history.
Is VAT included in used plant prices?
Not always. Many dealers show plant prices excluding VAT, so check whether a price says plus VAT before you compare machines. Sellers who aren’t VAT registered, including most private sellers, don’t charge VAT.
Can I buy a used telehandler without a LOLER report?
You can, but if there’s no evidence of a current thorough examination, it’ll need one before it’s used to lift anything at work. Budget for the examination and any repairs it finds, and factor that into your offer.
What should a used mini digger come with?
A used mini digger should come with proof of ownership, its service history, and the buckets and quick hitch listed in the advert. If it’s CESAR registered, the seller should also pass on the registration details so you can update them.
Can I get finance on used plant?
Yes. Dealers often arrange finance, and asset finance lenders fund used plant bought from dealers, auctions and private sellers. Have the make, model, year, hours and serial number ready, because the lender will want them.
