Trust, then verify
You can buy a machine on another continent with confidence if you layer three independent checks: what the seller shows you, what the machine's own data says, and what a third party physically confirms. Skip any one layer and you are guessing.
Layer 1: What to demand from the seller
- Full photo set - all four sides, cab interior, hour meter, serial plate, tires or undercarriage close-ups, any damage
- Continuous walk-around video - cold start and every function worked through its full range in one take
- Service history - whatever exists, unedited
- The serial number - refusal to share it before payment is a red flag anywhere in the world
Layer 2: What the machine's own data says
Modern fleets are telemetered. Komatsu KOMTRAX and Caterpillar VisionLink record hours, fault codes and utilization at the factory level - independent of the dash meter. Dealer service records tie to the serial number. Ask the seller to pull these; on machines we sell, we pull them ourselves before we buy the machine, and share summaries with serious buyers.
Layer 3: Third-party inspection
For machines above about $30,000, pay for independent eyes:
| Option | Typical cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection firm (SGS, Bureau Veritas) | $300-800 | Standardized written report with photos, oil sampling optional |
| Local heavy-equipment mechanic | $150-400 | Hands-on functional check, informal report, often sharper judgment |
| Video call walk-around | Free | You direct the camera live - good screening step before paying for the above |
Red flags that end a deal
- Seller refuses the serial number, a live video call, or third-party inspection
- Photos with timestamps or backgrounds that don't match the claimed location
- Price far below market for the class - export scams recycle stolen listing photos
- Pressure to wire money to a personal account or a different company name
Every machine on our stock list comes with the full photo set and video on request, and we welcome any inspection you want to arrange - that openness is the point of owning our stock.
Frequently asked questions
How do I inspect a used machine in the USA without traveling there?
Combine the seller's full photo/video set with independent verification: telematics data (KOMTRAX, VisionLink), dealer service records tied to the serial number, and a paid third-party inspection from firms like SGS or a local heavy-equipment mechanic. Total cost is usually a few hundred dollars.
What should a used excavator inspection video show?
Cold start, all functions worked through full range (boom, stick, bucket, swing, travel both directions), a slew-ring play check, undercarriage close-ups, hour meter, and the serial plate - in one continuous take, not edited clips.
Are US machine hours trustworthy?
More than most markets, because fleet machines carry service records and telematics that make meter tampering easy to detect. Always cross-check the meter against records where they exist.
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