NEW vs USED Equipment
New Doesn't Always Mean Better...
A recent experience has got me thinking about how we view "new" vs "used" when it comes to powered access equipment.
I drive a nearly new Audi A3 and despite being a well thought of brand and model, it's now been back to the Audi garage four times for the exact same issue. The frustrating partis it's still not resolved!
What's even more interesting is that this situation is not just experienced by me.
There are four of us in the office. Three of us have new cars, and in the last six weeks every single one of those cars has had some sort of issue and spent time off the road. Meanwhile, the fourth member of the team is driving a car that's pushing 20 years old and ironically, it hasn't put a wheel wrong. It shows that reliability isn't always about age.
This is something that transfers directly to the powered access industry. There's often a perception that buying a brand new MEWP is the best option. New machine, new technology, new warranty. But just like cars, new equipment can still have faults, software issues, electrical problems, or component failure.
On the other hand a quality used machine has often already proven itself in the field. Any early life issues have usually been identified and dealt with and if it's been properly maintained with a solid service history, it can offer years of reliable service.
The biggest benefit? Value for money.
Why tie up a large amount of capital in a new machine when a quality used MEWP can often do exactly the same job for significantly less investment?
The money saved can be invested into:
✅ Additional equipment
✅ Operator training
✅ Business growth
✅ Improved cash flow
There's also the depreciation factor. Just like new cars, access equipment suffers its biggest drop in value during its early years. Buying quality used equipment means someone else has absorbed the biggest hit while you benefit from the remaining life, much slower devaluation and full capability of the machine.
My Audi saga combined with the fact that three of the four newer cars in our office have all had issues recently, has been a great reminder that new doesn't automatically mean reliable.
Sometimes the smartest investment isn't the newest machine on the market. It's the one that's been looked after, maintained properly and proven itself over time while giving the best return on investment.
Now, I'm not saying new equipment isn't worth the money. In many situations it absolutely is. New machines come with the latest technology, manufacturer warranties and can be the right choice for businesses with specific operational requirements.
However, if you're working to a budget, looking to maximise ROI, or simply want the most machine for your money, a quality used MEWP is a route well worth considering. Sometimes the best investment isn't the newest machine available, it's the one that delivers the greatest value while still getting the job done safely and reliably.
After all, when the nearly 20-year-old car in the office is the only one that isn't causing problems, it makes me question whether "new" is always worth the premium?