Buy new plant when the machine will work hard for years, when you need a particular specification, or when you want the manufacturer’s warranty and current safety and emissions standards. Buy used when you need a machine quickly, for lighter or occasional work, or for less money up front, and you can check its hours, history and condition properly. SM Plant Sales in Rugby sells new Volvo compact excavators, Mecalac and Slanetrac dumpers and Wacker Neuson plate compactors, plus a small, changing stock of used plant.
- New: higher price, the manufacturer’s warranty, current safety and emissions standards, and the specification you choose.
- Used: lower price and often available straight away, but its condition depends on how it was used and maintained.
- Hours, service history and ownership checks tell you more than age alone.
- Ex-demo and low-hours machines sit between the two.
- Whichever you buy, check that parts are easy to get for that model.
What is the difference between buying new and used plant?
The main differences are price, depreciation, warranty and certainty. A new machine costs more but comes with a known history and predictable early running costs; a used machine costs less but carries more unknowns.
| Factor | New | Used |
|---|---|---|
| Price up front | Highest | Lower, depending on age, hours and condition |
| Depreciation | Steepest in the first years | Much of the early drop has already happened |
| Availability | May mean a wait, depending on make and specification | Often available now, but limited to what is on the market |
| Specification | You choose the hitch, buckets, cab and options | You take the machine as it is |
| Warranty | Manufacturer’s warranty, with terms that vary by make | Depends on the seller; ask what is included and get it in writing |
| Running costs | Predictable in the early years | Depend on past maintenance; budget for repairs |
| Safety and emissions | Current standards | Built to the standards of its year |
| Resale | Depends on brand, hours and condition | The same; low-hours, well-kept machines hold value better |
When does used plant make sense?
Used plant makes sense when the machine will not work every week, when you need it sooner than a new one can arrive, or when the work does not justify new money. Typical cases:
- Occasional or seasonal work, where a new machine would spend much of the year parked.
- A second machine or a backup for when the main one is in for repair.
- Starting out, when you would rather keep cash free for the business.
- A one-off contract that needs a machine for a set period.
- Rough work, such as demolition clear-up, where a new machine would soon lose its finish anyway.
- A well-maintained, low-hours example with records that comes up at the right price.
When is new plant the better choice?
New is usually the better choice when a machine will work most weeks of the year, when your sites or customers expect current-specification machines, or when you need a specific build.
- High use: the warranty and predictable costs count for more the harder a machine works.
- Hire fleets: hire customers and main contractors often ask for recent machines with current safety features.
- Safety specification: designs move on. In 2025, for example, Mecalac adapted its whole dumper range to the EN 474 safety standard, adding hydrostatic transmission, side mirrors, an inclinometer and a front camera (except on the TA1). An older dumper will not have those features.
- Emissions: newer engines meet newer emissions stages, which matters on sites with emissions rules, such as the London low emission zone for non-road mobile machinery (NRMM).
- Specification: buying new lets you choose attachments and options from the start, such as the hitch type and buckets.
Are ex-demo and low-hours machines worth considering?
Yes: an ex-demo or low-hours machine gives you a near-new specification for less than new, and usually without a wait. At the time of writing our used stock includes an ex-demo 2023 Mecalac 3.5MDX straight-tip dumper with 12 hours.
Ask the same questions as for any used machine: why it is for sale, what work it has done, and what warranty, if any, comes with it.
How many hours is too many on used plant?
There is no single cut-off: a machine with high hours and a full service history can be a better buy than a low-hours one that was neglected. Judge the hours alongside the service records, the type of work it did and the wear you can see.
Wear on pins and bushes, tracks or tyres, pedals and the seat should match the reading on the hours meter. If a machine shows low hours but looks worn, ask why. Our guide to what to check when buying a used mini excavator or dumper has a full checklist.
Checklist: should I buy new or used?
- How many weeks a year will the machine work? If the answer is only a few, compare with hiring: see our guide to hiring or buying plant.
- How much cash do you want tied up, and how will you fund it? Ask your accountant about the tax treatment.
- How soon do you need it?
- What specification do you need: hitch, buckets, cab, transmission?
- Do your sites or customers set rules on safety features or emissions?
- Who will service it, and are parts easy to get for that model? Check Parts by machine.
- How long will you keep it, and what might it be worth when you sell?
- If buying used: can you check the hours, service history, ownership and condition properly?
New and used plant at SM Plant Sales
SM Plant Sales is a family-run business in Rugby and has been in construction plant since 2000. The new plant we supply includes:
- Volvo compact excavators: the EC15E, EC18E and EC60E.
- Mecalac site dumpers, including the TA3SH and TA9. We have been Mecalac’s site dumper dealer for the Midlands since 2018.
- Slanetrac HT1000 tracked high-tip dumpers, in petrol and diesel.
- Wacker Neuson plate compactors: BPS forward plates and DPU reversible plates.
- CompAir portable compressors (C14 and C50), ProDem PRB010 hydraulic breakers and Fairport submersible pumps.
- Kress 60V battery garden tools and RTK robot mowers.
Our used plant stock is small and changes. At the time of writing it is five machines, including the ex-demo Mecalac 3.5MDX, a 2021 Volvo EC18E with 1,391 hours and a Wacker RTSC3 trench roller. Ask us what comes with each machine. Current deals are on our special offers page.
Whichever you choose, we can help with parts afterwards: 2,630 parts are online, and the finder covers 224 machines, including 56 Volvo models such as the EC18E. For maintenance, see our servicing page.
Questions
Is it better to buy a new or used mini digger?
It depends on how much it will work. If it will be busy most weeks for years, new usually makes more sense; for occasional work or a tight budget, a well-maintained used machine is often better value, as long as you check its hours, history and condition.
How many hours is too many on a used mini excavator?
There is no fixed number. Judge the hours alongside the service history and the wear on pins, bushes and tracks: a well-serviced machine with higher hours can be a better buy than a neglected one with fewer.
Do used machines come with a warranty?
It depends on the seller and the machine, so ask what is included and get it in writing. New machines come with the manufacturer’s warranty, with terms that vary by make.
Does SM Plant Sales sell used plant?
Yes, a small, changing stock. At the time of writing it includes an ex-demo 2023 Mecalac 3.5MDX dumper with 12 hours and a 2021 Volvo EC18E with 1,391 hours; see the used plant page or call 01788 555377.
What new machines does SM Plant Sales sell?
SM Plant Sales sells new Volvo compact excavators (EC15E, EC18E, EC60E), Mecalac site dumpers (TA3SH, TA9), Slanetrac HT1000 tracked dumpers, Wacker Neuson plate compactors, CompAir compressors, ProDem breakers, Kress garden tools and Fairport pumps.
Should I hire instead of buying?
Hire if the machine would only work for a few weeks a year. Our hire or buy guide shows how to work out where buying starts to pay, and more answers are on our FAQ page.