The used mini excavator market is active in France (fleet renewals, liquidations, imports from northern Europe). Prices range from €5,000 to €35,000 depending on weight, hours and condition. It looks like a bargain — the reality is more nuanced once the real cost of ownership is analysed.
The used market
Three types of used machines: branded European used (Kubota, Yanmar, Bobcat — the most reliable but the most expensive, €15,000 to €40,000), first-generation Chinese used (€6,000 to €15,000, with no warranty or parts in France), and used machines refurbished by a serious importer (inspected, 3-to-6-month warranty — the best used option).
Real cost comparison (1.5–2 t)
| Criterion | New CZN | European used | Chinese used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | €11,666 excl. VAT | €15,000 to €25,000 | €7,000 to €12,000 |
| Hours at delivery | 0 h | 1,500 to 5,000 h | Unverifiable |
| Warranty | 24 months parts+labour | None (or 3 months) | None |
| Parts in France | Permanent stock | Dealer network | No (ordered from China) |
| Wear parts to expect | None | €1,500 to €4,000 | Hard to find |
| Reconditioning | €0 | €500 to €3,000 | Unpredictable |
| Real acquisition cost | €11,666 | €17,000 to €30,500 | €9,000 to €15,500 |
A frequent observation from our customers: a new CZN mini excavator is often cheaper than a European used one once all costs are counted, with greater reliability.
The hidden costs of used machines
Wear parts: at 2,000–4,000 h, tracks (€800 to €2,500), hoses (€200 to €800), bucket (€100 to €400). Ageing hydraulics: a leaking cylinder = €300–600 per cylinder; a pump to recondition = €1,000 to €3,000. Downtime on breakdown: with no warranty, €300 to €600 of lost income per day stopped. Transport: €500 to €1,500 (included at CZN).
Hour-meter fraud
Tampering with the hour meter is common: all else equal, a machine at 1,500 h is worth 30 to 50% more than one at 4,000 h. There is no official hours register in France. To spot tampering: demand documented maintenance invoices (12 to 15 oil-change invoices over 3 years), look at the actual wear (seat, joysticks, paint), inspect the tracks, and have the hydraulic oil analysed (€200 to €400) to estimate wear independently of the meter.
Pre-purchase inspection checklist
Visual inspection
- Tracks: lug wear, rollers, sprocket
- Cylinders: scratches on the rods, seal leaks
- Hoses: cracking, weeping
- Structure: cracks, repair welds (a sign of an accident)
- Bucket: tooth wear, base edge
- Hydraulic oil: black oil = lack of maintenance
At start-up and in operation
- Cold start with no excessive white smoke
- Smoke: black = overload/injectors; persistent white = head gasket
- No knocking, whistling or rattling
- Smooth hydraulic movements, even 360° rotation
- Travel: tracks in sync, no drift
Documents to request
- A dated, signed service log and service invoices
- CE declaration of conformity (mandatory)
- Original manual, ownership history
Depreciation curves
Both types depreciate at the same relative rate, but the absolute value differs:
| Age | European (bought €30,000) | CZN (bought €12,000) |
|---|---|---|
| New | €30,000 | €12,000 |
| 1 year / ~400 h | €24,000 (−20%) | €9,600 (−20%) |
| 3 years / ~1,200 h | €18,000 (−40%) | €7,200 (−40%) |
| 5 years / ~2,000 h | €15,000 (−50%) | €6,000 (−50%) |
| 8 years / ~3,200 h | €9,000 (−70%) | €3,600 (−70%) |
A CZN at €12,000 loses only €4,800 in 3 years, versus €12,000 for a European one at €30,000.
Total cost of ownership over 5 years
| Item (5 years) | New CZN (€12,000) | European used (€20,000) |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | €12,000 | €20,000 |
| Transport | Included | €800 |
| Reconditioning | €0 | €1,500 |
| Routine maintenance | €1,200 | €1,200 |
| Wear parts | €1,500 | €3,000 |
| Out-of-warranty repairs | €0 | €2,500 |
| Residual value | −€6,000 | −€15,000 |
| Net 5-year cost | €8,700 | €13,000 |
The new CZN mini excavator costs about 33% less over 5 years than the European used one, not counting the peace of mind of the 24-month warranty.
New is often cheaper than used
New mini excavators from €4,125 excl. VAT, 24-month warranty, financing over 12 to 60 months.
The CZN offer: new and refurbished used
New mini excavators start at €4,125 excl. VAT with a 24-month warranty — often cheaper than a European used machine with no warranty. All delivered assembled, tested, with a handover and documentation. CZN also keeps a limited stock of refurbished used machines (6-month warranty): inspected by our mechanics, wear parts replaced, a detailed inspection report provided — the best option if the budget doesn't allow new.