Buying & Costs
Used Forklift Buying Guide: What to Check Before You Buy
A used truck can be the best value on the yard or the most expensive mistake of the year. These are the twelve checks our engineers make before we put a machine into stock.
9 min read · Last updated 13 August 2026
Before buying a used forklift in Ireland, check five things above all else: recorded hours against apparent condition, mast chain stretch and fork wear, battery health (on electric) or oil and smoke condition (on engine trucks), a documented service history, and a current Thorough Examination report. A truck with 6,000 hours and full records is a safer buy than one with 3,000 hours and none. Budget for a pre-purchase inspection by an independent engineer — it costs a fraction of a mast or battery replacement.
Hours: the number that frames everything
Hour meters are the mileage of the forklift world. A single-shift Irish warehouse truck typically runs 800–1,200 hours a year, so a five-year-old machine should show roughly 4,000–6,000 hours. Numbers far below that usually mean light use — or a replaced meter.
| Recorded hours | Typical life stage | What to budget for |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2,000 | Barely run in | Little beyond routine servicing |
| 2,000–5,000 | Mid-life, best value zone | Tyres, possible battery top-up work |
| 5,000–10,000 | Late mid-life | Tyres, chains, hydraulic hoses, battery |
| Over 10,000 | End of first life unless refurbished | Major components — buy only with records |
Cross-check the hours
Compare the hour meter against seat wear, pedal rubber, steering wheel polish and fork heel wear. If a truck shows 2,000 hours and a worn-through seat, the meter is telling a different story to the machine.
Mast, chains and forks
- ›Lift the mast fully, empty and then loaded — watch for jerking, which points to worn rollers or scored channels.
- ›Measure chain stretch: more than 2–3% elongation over 20 links means replacement.
- ›Check both chains are evenly tensioned; uneven chains overload the anchors.
- ›Fork heel wear over 10% of the original thickness condemns the fork under ISO 5057:2022.
- ›Look for cracks at the fork heel and hanger, and for bent or twisted blades.
- ›Watch the mast for drift: raise a load, hold it two minutes, and measure how far it sinks.
Power source checks
Electric
The battery is the single biggest hidden cost on a used electric truck. A replacement lead-acid pack can run to several thousand euro, so treat battery age as part of the purchase price.
- ›Ask for the battery date code and the number of charge cycles.
- ›Check specific gravity across cells on lead-acid — inconsistent readings mean a tired pack.
- ›Look for corrosion, cracked cases, dried electrolyte trails and mismatched cells.
- ›On lithium, ask for the BMS state-of-health report rather than trusting a visual check.
- ›Test the charger too — a failing charger will kill a good battery.
Diesel and LPG
- ›Cold-start it. A truck that has been warmed up before you arrive is hiding something.
- ›Blue smoke means oil burning; black smoke means fuelling or air problems.
- ›Check oil for emulsification, coolant for oil contamination, and the radiator for blockage.
- ›Inspect LPG hoses, regulator and bottle bracket for perishing and leaks.
Paperwork that must come with the truck
- Current Thorough Examination report — statutory, and no more than 12 months old (6 months if it lifts people).
- Service history with dated entries and hour readings.
- Data plate matching the truck, legible, with capacity and load centre.
- Operator manual and, for electric, charger documentation.
- Proof of ownership — a used forklift bought from an unclear source is a real risk.
A Thorough Examination is not a warranty
The report confirms the truck was safe on the day it was examined. It says nothing about how much life is left in the battery, tyres or mast. Treat it as the minimum, not the assessment.
Refurbished versus 'as seen'
| Dealer refurbished | Auction / private 'as seen' | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Higher | Lowest |
| Warranty | Typically 3–12 months | None |
| Thorough Examination | Included and current | Often expired or absent |
| Parts and backup | Supported | Your problem |
| Real risk | Low | High — faults surface in week one |
Every used truck AWE sells is stripped, inspected, repaired with genuine parts, presented with a fresh Thorough Examination and backed by a warranty. That is the difference between a refurbished machine and a gamble.
Equipment we'd recommend
Models from the AWE range that suit the scenarios above. Specs are pulled straight from the product pages.
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, priority contract response
Technically reviewed by AWE service department, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin.
Keep reading
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
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
Buying & Costs
Forklift Hire Rates in Ireland — Daily, Weekly and Monthly Explained
Hire quotes are rarely comparable because everyone bundles different things. Here is how Irish forklift hire is priced, what should be included, and where the extras hide.
8 min read