Buying & Costs
New vs Used Forklifts: When Refurbished Is the Smarter Buy
A well-documented ex-hire truck can do the same job for far less. The risk is not age, it is unknown history — here is what to check and when to pay for new.
7 min read · Last updated 7 August 2026
Buy used when the duty is predictable single-shift work, the budget is capital-constrained, and the truck comes with a documented service history, a recent Thorough Examination and a pre-delivery inspection. Buy new when the truck runs multiple shifts, when downtime is expensive, when you need a specific mast, attachment or cold-store specification, or when a full warranty and long parts availability matter more than the capital saved. Age matters far less than hours, history and who maintained it.
When used is the smarter buy
- ›Single-shift work of under about 1,200 hours a year.
- ›A second or backup truck that covers peaks rather than running constantly.
- ›Straightforward duty — pallets in, pallets out, standard mast, no exotic attachments.
- ›Capital is tight and the money is better spent on racking, training or stock.
- ›The truck is ex-hire, so it was serviced on schedule by professionals and its hours are documented.
When new earns its premium
- ›Two or three shifts, where uptime and warranty cover are worth real money.
- ›Specialist requirements — cold store, food-grade, ATEX area, non-marking tyres, unusual closed heights.
- ›Attachments that need to be factory-matched and correctly de-rated on the capacity plate.
- ›Lithium power with modern charging infrastructure.
- ›Fleet standardisation, where matching trucks simplify training, parts and service.
The middle option most people miss
Contract hire on a new truck gives you new-truck uptime and warranty with no capital outlay and a fixed monthly cost including all maintenance and statutory examination. For many Irish sites it beats both new purchase and used purchase on total cost.
Inspecting a used truck — the checklist
- Hour meter reading, and whether it matches the wear you can see on pedals, seat and steering.
- Full service history with dates, hours and parts fitted.
- A current Thorough Examination report — not an expired one.
- Mast: chain stretch, roller wear, straightness, and no hydraulic weeping.
- Forks: heel wear within 10%, no cracks, correct locking pins.
- Battery test report on electric trucks — cell voltages under load, not just a resting reading.
- Tyre condition and whether the compound suits your floor.
- Chassis and overhead guard for impact damage, and welds for repair evidence.
- Capacity plate legible and matching any fitted attachment.
- Parts availability for the make and model in Ireland — orphan brands cost more in downtime than they save on purchase.
Why ex-hire stock is different
Hire fleet trucks are maintained to a schedule because their owner carries the breakdown cost. That produces a paper trail, consistent servicing and a known hour count — the three things that make a used purchase safe. AWE's stock list is largely ex-hire and every truck is sold with a pre-delivery inspection and a current examination report.
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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