Buying a used forklift: the 10-point checklist

The checklist

1. Operating hours vs. year of manufacture — 1,000–1,500 hours per year is normal; extremely low meter readings warrant suspicion.
2. Maintenance history — request the maintenance booklet or service reports.
3. Mast and chains — check spacing, wear and even lifting without shocks.
4. Vorken — Measure the heel thickness; wear exceeding 10% = rejected.
5. Tires — down to the wear limit? Include replacement costs right away.
6. Rechargeable battery — request capacity measurement; a worn traction battery costs thousands of euros.
7. Engine and hydraulics (diesel/LPG) - cold start, smoke, leakage under the machine.
8. Inspection status - valid VA-inspection or equivalent; if not: budget the inspection.
9. Remaining capacity — does the identification plate match your load and lifting height?
10. Warranty and supplier — a used car from an official importer with a warranty is worth its weight in gold compared to a private purchase.

At our used forklifts Have all these points already been checked: technically inspected, VA-approved, and delivered with a warranty — starting from €5,000.