A used truck costs less on day one. A new truck costs less in downtime, parts and warranty claims — and holds a predictable residual. The answer depends on how much an hour of downtime costs you.
| New | Used | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | Full | 30–60% of new |
| Warranty | 12 months typical | None or limited |
| Condition | Known | Unknown history |
| Parts | Current | May be discontinued |
| Downtime risk | Low | Rises with age |
| Residual value | Predictable | Low and falling |
| Best for | Critical operations | Backup, low-hours, tight budget |
If a stopped truck costs you production, the arithmetic changes completely. A used machine that fails twice a year can cost more than the purchase saving.
On a used truck, check hours, mast wear, chain stretch, hydraulic leaks and battery age. A battery near end of life can cost as much as the truck is worth.
Older models may have discontinued controllers or motors. Before buying, confirm that the specific controller and motor are still available.
TSG 81—2022 — Safety Technical Regulation for Special Purpose Motor Vehicles in Plants, State Administration for Market Regulation (China)GB/T 26560 — Industrial Trucks — Vocabulary, National Technical Committee for Industrial Truck StandardisationGB/T 23794-2023 — Enterprise Credit Evaluation Indicators, National Technical Committee for Social Credit StandardisationISO 3691 series — Industrial trucks — Safety requirements and verification, ISOEN 1175:2020 — Safety of industrial trucks — Electrical requirements, CENSend us your operating conditions and we will tell you which option works and which does not.
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