The new-vs-used question
A new 2.5T counterbalance from a main-dealer in Ireland sits between €25,000 and €38,000. A used unit of the same spec, 5–8 years old with 8,000–15,000 hours on the clock, runs €9,000–€16,000. The decision is rarely about the headline price; it's about utilisation, downtime cost, and warranty cover.
Buy new if
- You'll run it more than 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, year-round
- Your downtime cost is higher than €100/hour (so a multi-day breakdown wipes out years of savings)
- You want the manufacturer's warranty + servicing package (3 years parts & labour is standard)
- You're on a finance plan that depreciates the asset against tax efficiently
Buy used if
- You'll run it under 4 hours a day, or seasonally
- You have basic mechanical capability in-house or a relationship with an independent forklift mechanic
- The unit comes from a known fleet (rental return from Henley, Masterlift, Combilift) with documented service history
- You're willing to budget €1,500–€3,000 in year one for tyres, brakes, hydraulic seals and minor repairs
Which manufacturer for what?
| Make | Strong on | Trade-off | Irish presence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combilift | Multi-directional, long-load, narrow aisle. Built in Monaghan. | Premium price, specialist application. | HQ in Monaghan, dealer network nationwide |
| Toyota | Reliability, low total cost of ownership, parts availability. | Less aggressive pricing on the new tag. | Reddilift (NW), national dealer chain |
| Hyster / Yale | Heavy-duty diesel, port and yard kit, big-fleet servicing. | Less efficient on smaller indoor units. | Donegal Forklifts (Hyster), Reddilift (Yale) |
| Doosan | Value-for-money mid-range, good warranty. | Smaller dealer network than Toyota or Hyster. | Able Machinery / Donegal area, others |
| JCB | Telehandlers — best in class for construction and ag. | Counterbalance range less developed. | National JCB dealer network |
| Linde / Still | German engineering, excellent on electrics, low noise. | Premium pricing, longer parts lead-times. | Limited Irish dealer presence |
| Mitsubishi / Nissan | Affordable mid-range, especially on used market. | Newer dealer presence. | Conlon Forklift (Sligo) and others |
Pre-purchase checklist for a used forklift
- Hour meter: 10,000 hours is roughly equivalent to 100,000 km on a car. Above 15,000 hours, expect mast and hydraulic refurbishment soon.
- Mast and chains: raise to full height under load. Listen for jerks. Check chain stretch — over 3% means replacement.
- Forks: measure the heel for wear. More than 10% material loss means new forks (€300–€600/pair).
- Tyres: solid tyres on warehouse units are €600–€1,200/pair fitted. Pneumatic on yard units are cheaper but wear faster.
- Battery (if electric): ask for a load test. A tired traction battery runs €4,000–€8,000 to replace.
- Service book + LOLER cert: no paperwork = walk away.
- VAT margin scheme vs standard VAT: matters for VAT-registered buyers.
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER): all forklifts in commercial use in Ireland must have a Thorough Examination by a competent person every 12 months (or 6 months for forklifts lifting people via a man-cage). The certificate stays with the truck. Check it.
Want hire rather than buy? See the forklift hire guide with current 2026 rates. Working out the maths between hire and buy? See the hire vs buy ROI guide.