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A beginner’s guide to buying certified used equipment
By caterpillar | Posted: September 8, 2023
When it comes to buying your next machine, brand new is not the only option. There are tons of advantages to buying a used machine – especially one that has been certified used. Here you can find out everything you need to know about buying certified used equipment.
What does Certified Used mean?
Certified used means that it is a second-hand product that has been rigorously inspected, serviced, and completed the most recent maintenance. And you will get a certificate to prove it.
A Cat® Certified Used machine is:
- a late model product, with many of the latest features
- thoroughly inspected with up to a 140-point inspection process
- serviced with genuine Cat parts by highly trained dealer technicians
- covered beyond the standard machine warranty with Equipment Protection Plans*
- kept running smoothly with minimal downtime thanks to after-sales support from your Cat dealer.
Used versus Certified Used
So, now you know the benefits of certified used. But what is the difference between certified used and simply used, or pre-owned?
At Caterpillar, used means:
- the equipment has been given a general check and service to ensure quality, safety, and performance, but not to the same high standard as Cat Certified Used
- options to suit a range of budgets
- ongoing service and support from a Cat dealer to keep the equipment and your business running smoothly.
Is Certified Used worth it?
It might seem tempting to just buy second-hand construction equipment. But there are huge benefits to buying Certified Used instead.
Cat Certified Used equipment is inspected and serviced to a higher standard. This means you are getting a used machine you can trust to deliver good-as-new performance and peace of mind.
“We believe that a used piece of equipment should operate just like a new piece of equipment,” said Mike Pellitteri, President of Pellco Construction.
“And with Cat Certified Used we have the confidence that it is going to do that, with minimal breakdown, and put out the same production as a new machine.
“We're confident that the machine is going to be well maintained, low hour, and if we have any problems Cat's going to come in and make a right for us.”
And the quality is not the only benefit.
“There’s other things that add value, such as service after the sale and convenience, and we get that through Cat used equipment,” said Mike.
Often the models have low hours and are from recent releases. So, you can enjoy all the latest features, plus the comfort and uptime that Cat equipment is known for.
Try it for yourself
Want to see what Cat Certified Used options there are for your business? Browse catused.com to see what is in stock right now. Alternatively, contact your nearest Cat dealer to discuss your requirements and take a machine for a spin.