Buying New vs eBay, Gumtree and Donedeal Listings

Marketplace listings can look tempting on price, but buying a mini digger through eBay, Gumtree or Donedeal comes with risks that a factory-direct new machine simply does not carry.

What to check before buying secondhand

• Ask for dated service records, not just a verbal assurance
• Check the hour meter matches the wear visible on tracks, pins and bushings
• Request a video of the machine running through its full range of movement
• Confirm who is liable if the machine develops a fault after payment

Private sellers on these platforms are under no obligation to disclose known issues, and once payment has gone through, your consumer protection is far weaker than buying from a registered UK business.

The factory-direct alternative

Every machine we sell is built to order and sold new, with a 12-month warranty, UK-based support and a documented history that starts with you. There is no guesswork about how it has been treated.

See our current range of new excavators, or read our full warranty policy to understand exactly what is covered from day one.