News

According to Ritchie Bros' latest "Used Equipment Market Trends Report," the European used equipment market is showing clearer signs of recovery, with prices stabilizing, demand continuing to rise, and cross-border transactions becoming increasingly active.

This report, based on Ritchie Bros. auction data and Mascus platform listings, shows that the industry has moved from a "recovery phase to a restructuring phase"—buyers are more inclined to purchase newer, emission-compliant equipment, while sellers are benefiting from improved market liquidity.

Compact equipment continues to dominate market transactions, providing core support for the “more resilient and pragmatic” secondhand market described in the report.

The construction machinery sector performed strongly.

In the third quarter, the construction machinery sector remained one of the most stable performing areas, with small equipment and earthmoving machinery performing particularly well.

Sales of articulated dump trucks rebounded significantly, a trend closely linked to increased demand in infrastructure construction and quarrying operations. Driven by a 79% year-on-year increase in sales volume, the median auction price rose 5% year-on-year to approximately €42,700. Volvo Construction Equipment was the best-selling brand, with the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands being the main buyer markets.

Crawler excavator sales increased by 35% compared to Q3 2024, with the median price remaining stable at slightly above €31,000. The UK, Spain, and Belgium were the most active buyer markets. Driven by strong demand from buyers in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, inquiries on the Mascus platform (based on email and telephone inquiries) increased by 37% year-on-year.

The report indicates that mini excavators remain the best-performing category. Demand for the Mascus platform increased by 27%, auction volume rose by 10%, and the median price increased by 3% to €11,800. Italy was the largest buyer in the auctions, followed by Spain and France, as rental companies and contractors actively upgrade their fleets of small equipment.

Ritchie Brothers stated that the latest data indicates a significant improvement in buyer confidence and market stabilization after a prolonged period of market volatility. The company also noted that fleet owners are increasingly focusing on newer equipment as emission standards become more stringent across Europe.

“We are seeing a more confident and deliberate market across Europe today,” said Duncan Ainscough, sales director for Ritchie Brothers Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). “Buyers are making value-driven decisions based on full information – they are targeting efficient, compliant equipment to support their long-term operational goals.”

Source: Machinery Information Station