Pickles Industrial examines some of the most common factors affecting buyers and vendors in the used machinery sector.
As 2025 draws to a close, it’s clearer every day that making the right choice in an unpredictable market is particularly difficult.
In the wake of the 2025 Australian election, the civil market has been characterised by a residential sector in recovery, along with increased government support for infrastructure projects.
In addition, ongoing challenges such as cost escalation, labour shortages and supply chain disruptions are playing their part, with buyers and vendors navigating the ebbs and flows.
The past decade has seen trends shift drastically, leaving businesses to hope for a reprieve to consider their next moves.
However, the industrial equipment market has always been characterised by a fluctuating nature, meaning that whether you are buying or selling, forecasting the future is a challenge.
Being mindful of the reality of a changing market allows insiders to be proactive, with practicality proving to be a winning approach for both new and established businesses alike.
To help you steer through the coming months, here are 10 common trends influencing the used industrial equipment market of late.
How infrastructure and construction is faring
The activity levels of infrastructure and construction projects have a noticeable effect on the used industrial equipment market.
Accounting for about 10 per cent of Australia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), civil works are the foundation of our economic and social development.
Demand in the used market is driven by the investment into roads, rail, mining and civil works by the government and private sector.
Currently, in post-election Australia, infrastructure surges prompted by a clearer direction for the sector — with a heavy emphasis on renewables — have led to unique demands for the second-hand market.
The state of mining and resources
Similar to infrastructure and construction, the mining and resources sector has a part to play in shifting used equipment prices.
Whether it be through changing commodity prices (such as iron ore, coal, lithium) influencing fleet expansion and contraction, or mining downturns leading to a flood of surplus gear, the status of mining and resources projects drives plenty of supply and demand in the used market.
Seasonal disruptions
Seasonality has an influence on Australia’s used industrial equipment market, with agricultural, financial and economic cycles each playing a part in supply and demand. Seasonal spikes typically occur late in Australia’s summer due to the post-holiday spending lull and in spring when weather improves post-winter.
Natural disruptions (such as wet seasons, floods, bushfires) often lead to delays and an increase in demand for recovery-related equipment.
Furthermore, used agricultural machinery, such as tractors and harvesters, will surge in price during peak harvest periods.
January bounceback
Compared with previous years, the market is returning quicker and stronger in January, with used equipment sales growing in this period in both 2024 and 2025.
While the Christmas period still offers a chance to reset for the industry, the lag in sales post-holidays has reduced.
Customers want solutions faster than ever before, with demand higher in January than it has ever been.
Holding onto stock
Since COVID-19, many businesses have opted to hold onto assets that are no longer required.
Being slow to make decisions may cost you the opportunity to sell at the best possible price for an asset that could depreciate in value.
This is where maintenance of your assets is crucial, and it is recommended that you spend the money required for professional detailing prior to selling.
For businesses considering the decision to retire their fleet, Pickles can guide the process, having recently assisted Francis Transport in offloading a range of trucks and earning $2.4 million in total sales.
Supply chain disruption and OEMs
When new equipment is unavailable due to OEM lead times, supply chain disruptions and delays, businesses naturally seek alternatives and find relief in the used equipment market.
This rush to purchase from the used market could be instigated by a variety of factors, including the need to meet contract demands or comply with regulatory and environmental requirements.
For buyers, shortages will lead to elevated prices and may produce long-term changes in the used market.
Environmental considerations
In the wake of net-zero emissions targets, environmental considerations have created demand for compliance, while incentivising innovation and changing how equipment is appraised and valued.
Stricter regulations on emissions and waste management mean that used equipment meeting these standards (such as Tier 4 engines) can increase in value.
For businesses struggling to meet the demands of the market’s push toward greener technologies like hybrid or electric alternatives, upgrading vehicles to ensure they are compliant and able to meet these new standards is recommended.
Adapting to changing technology
Our industry is being reshaped every day by the growing role technology is having in our day-to-day decision-making and functionality.
In the used equipment market, buyers value GPS, grade control and usage data, meaning older machines yet to be upgraded with this tech may be discounted unless retrofitted.
Though older used equipment may not include the latest upgrades, retrofitting means that a used model can be just as efficient at shortening production cycles, reducing costs and improving consistency.
The global market
If the unpredictable nature of the Australian market leaves a mark on the used equipment market, then the fluctuations of the global market carry another kind of weight.
Largely driven by supply chain issues, strong overseas demand (from places such as South East Asia or Africa) in the second-hand market can lift prices and reduce domestic availability.
In the case of overseas brands such as CAT, Komatsu or Hitachi, spikes in resale value are regularly noted when new stock is constrained. Moreover, currency fluctuations also influence export competitiveness.
Holding in-person inspections
Being able to inspect and test equipment in person can impact what a buyer is willing to pay.
Seeing an asset’s condition and experiencing its performance face to face enables buyers to determine if it is suitable to their needs.
At Pickles, we pride ourselves on our customer service and transparency, and inspections are a crucial element in finding solutions that suit our customers’ needs.
Though the used market will always fluctuate, buying and selling is less dependent on timing and more about embracing your business’ needs at that time.
Selling enables you to capitalise on generating cash flow and freeing up space, while buying from the second-hand market could be critical to fulfilling your contract obligations or expanding your capabilities.
The reality is that markets will always shift up and down, meaning your efforts to try and play them may be in vain when selling is the most suitable option available to you.
The Pickles expertise
To ensure you are equipped to navigate the used industrial equipment market going forward, we recommend understanding these trends and how Pickles can assist you.
For vendors, knowing what influences the price of used equipment will allow you to gauge an asset’s true value, while buyers can experience greater confidence in your decision-making.
Prioritising your needs as a business will enable you to be healthier in the long run, and this is where Pickles is able to step in and guide you.
For more information or to get in contact with a Pickles Industrial expert, please visit pickles.com.au.