Buying & Costs
How Much Does a Forklift Cost in Ireland? New, Used and Hire Compared
The purchase price is the smallest part of the decision. Here is how new, used, hire and contract hire compare once servicing, inspection, tyres and downtime are counted.
9 min read · Last updated 7 August 2026
In Ireland a forklift can be acquired four ways, and the right one depends almost entirely on how many hours the truck will work. Short-term hire suits needs under three months. Long-term or contract hire suits three months to two years and converts an unpredictable maintenance bill into a fixed monthly cost. A quality used or ex-hire truck suits steady single-shift work where capital is tight. Buying new makes sense for multi-shift, high-hours or specialist applications where uptime and warranty matter most. Purchase price is typically only 30-40% of the five-year cost — servicing, statutory examination, tyres, energy and downtime make up the rest.
The four routes compared
| Route | Best for | Cash profile | Who carries maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term hire | Peaks, projects, cover for a breakdown | Highest per week, zero commitment | Hire company |
| Long-term / contract hire | 3 months to 7 years of steady use | Fixed monthly, no capital outlay | Hire company |
| Used / ex-hire purchase | Single shift, budget-led, known duty | One-off capital, lower entry | You |
| New purchase or finance | High hours, multi-shift, specialist spec | Highest capital, best uptime | You (or a service contract) |
The rough break-even
Under 3 months of use, hire. Three months to two years, long-term rental or contract hire is usually cheapest once maintenance risk is priced in. Beyond two years of full-time single-shift use, ownership — or contract hire with a purchase option — generally wins.
What moves the price of a truck
- ›Capacity — 1.5 t, 2.0 t, 2.5 t and 3.0 t are the common Irish steps, and price rises steeply above 3.5 t.
- ›Power source — electric costs more to buy, less to run; lithium adds a further premium.
- ›Mast — duplex, triplex, free-lift and closed height for container work all change the price.
- ›Attachments — side shift, fork positioner, rotators and clamps, each with their own capacity de-rate.
- ›Tyres — cushion, super-elastic or pneumatic, matched to your floor and yard.
- ›Cabs, heating, lighting, cameras, and cold-store or food-grade packages.
- ›Hours and condition on a used truck, and whether it comes with a fresh Thorough Examination.
The running costs that decide the real number
- Planned servicing — typically two to four visits per year depending on hours.
- Statutory Thorough Examination — annually, or six-monthly where people are lifted.
- Tyres and forks — genuine wear items with a predictable replacement cycle.
- Energy — electricity, diesel or LPG at your actual site tariff.
- Battery replacement or charging infrastructure on electric trucks.
- Downtime — the cost of the truck not working, which is usually the biggest and least measured number of all.
Where used trucks make sense
Ex-hire trucks are the sweet spot in the Irish used market: they have documented service history, they have been maintained by professionals on a schedule, and they come off fleet at a known hour count. A private-sale truck with no history is a gamble — the saving evaporates the first time the mast needs work.
Whatever you buy used, insist on a current Thorough Examination report, a service history, an hour meter reading and a documented pre-delivery inspection.
How to get a quote you can actually compare
Ask every supplier for the same three lines: the truck, the maintenance and examination cover, and the delivery and collection charge. Quotes that bundle differently are impossible to compare. AWE quotes all three separately, and we will run hire and purchase figures side by side against your actual annual hours before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Written by
The AWE Forklifts Team
Materials handling engineers, trainers and account managers, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin
AWE has supplied, hired, serviced and inspected materials handling equipment for Irish industry since 1985. Our guides are written by the same engineers who service the trucks, the instructors who deliver operator training, and the account managers who quote the hire rates — not by outside copywriters.
- Trading in Ireland since 1985
- Authorised Xilin forklift dealer for Ireland
- Official MasterMover electric tug distributor for Ireland
- Dublin workshop, parts store and training facility
- Nationwide mobile engineers, 4-hour contract SLA
Technically reviewed by AWE sales team, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin.
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