Free guide to starting a UK plant hire companyUpdated October 2026 · Browse all guides

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Fleet and equipment

Buying used construction plant: inspection checklist

32 checks to run before you buy a used mini excavator, dumper or telehandler for your hire fleet. Tick them off on site; progress is saved in this browser.

Start the checks Choosing a first fleet

Checklist specPHSUG-14

Checks32

Stages7

SavesIn your browser

UpdatedOct 2026

Take this list on your phone, and take a fitter if you can. A used machine bought for hire needs to work every week for years, so a cheaper price never makes up for a hidden fault.

WATCH OUT

A price well below market, pressure to pay cash or a seller who won't let you see the machine start from cold are all reasons to walk away. Stolen plant is common.

PROGRESS0 / 32

STAGE 01Paperwork and history

Seller's name, address and how long they've owned it.Serial number (PIN) on the plate matches the paperwork and the frame stamping.Check the serial number against plant theft registers before paying.Check for outstanding finance on the machine.Service history: dates, hours and who did the work.Hour meter reading is consistent with the service records and wear.UKCA/CE marking, operator's manual and any LOLER certificates for lifting duties.

STAGE 02Walk-round

Cracks, welds or repairs on the boom, dipper and chassis.Play in pins and bushes at the boom, dipper, bucket and quick hitch.Bucket teeth and cutting edges, and quick-hitch locking pins and indicators.Cab glass, ROPS/FOPS structure, seat and seat belt condition.Beacon, travel alarm, lights, mirrors and decals present.

STAGE 03Undercarriage, tracks and tyres

Track wear and tension; rubber tracks for cuts, exposed steel or missing lugs.Sprockets for hooked teeth; idlers and rollers for leaks or flat spots.Track frame for cracks; tyres for cuts, wear and matching sizes on wheeled kit.

STAGE 04Engine (start from cold)

Ask the seller not to run the machine before you arrive.Starts easily from cold; note smoke colour at start and under load.No knocking, excessive blow-by or coolant in the oil.Oil, coolant and fuel levels and condition; check for fresh leaks underneath.No warning lights or stored fault codes.

STAGE 05Hydraulics

Hoses and rams for leaks, weeping seals and damage.Hydraulic oil clean, not milky or dark and burnt-smelling.Rams hold position with the engine off (no boom drift).Smooth, strong movement on every function, including auxiliary circuits.Slew and travel smooth in both directions with no jerking.

STAGE 06Test run

Dig a full cycle and check power at the bucket.Travel in both speeds, straight line and turning.Test the dozer blade, offset boom and any tilt or rotate functions.Test all safety interlocks: isolation lever, seat switch, quick-hitch warning.

STAGE 07Before you pay

Agree in writing what's included: buckets, attachments, keys and manuals.Pay by traceable bank transfer, never cash, and get a dated receipt with the serial number.Arrange insurance and fit a tracker before the machine leaves the seller's yard.

Found the right machine?

Finance used and auction plant

Plant Hire Finance, our sister site, introduces you to a specialist broker who works with lenders that fund used, dealer and auction machines.

Get a finance quote Finance options

Plant Hire Finance is run by the same team as this guide. It is an introducer, not a lender or broker. Finance is subject to status and available to UK businesses only.

FAQs

Common questions

What should I check when buying a used mini digger?+

Paperwork and theft checks first, then a walk-round for cracks and worn pins, the undercarriage, a cold start, the hydraulics for leaks and drift, and a full test run of every function.

How many hours is too many on a used mini excavator?+

There's no single limit. Condition and service history matter more than the hour meter, and hours that don't match the wear on pedals, seat and pins are a warning sign.

How do I check if used plant is stolen?+

Check the serial number against plant theft registers, make sure it matches the frame stamping and paperwork, and be wary of cash-only sales and prices well below market.

Keep going

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This guide is general information for people setting up a plant hire business in the UK. It is not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice. Rules and thresholds change, so check current guidance on GOV.UK and take advice from an accountant, solicitor or broker before acting.

Practical, plain-English guides for people starting or growing a plant hire company in the UK: costs, fleet, finance, compliance, systems and customers.

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VAT, PAYE and CIS

Fleet & money

First fleet
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Used plant checklist
Transporting plant
Utilisation
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Running the business

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PUWER and LOLER
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SISTER SITESPlant Hire Finance PlantClassifieds Rental Desk Pro

This guide is run by the same team as Plant Hire Finance, PlantClassifieds and Rental Desk Pro. Where a guide mentions one of those services we say so, and we list alternatives. Plant Hire Finance is a finance introducer, not a lender or broker. Nothing on this site is legal, tax, insurance or financial advice.