Europe’s used equipment market is showing signs of renewed stability and selective growth, according to the Ritchie Bros. Used Equipment Market Trends Report – Q3 2025 (European Edition) Read the full report here.
The report reveals that construction equipment is leading the recovery, with resilient resale values and a surge in auction demand reflecting a maturing, balanced marketplace. Compact equipment remains a key driver of activity, while agricultural machinery shows signs of consolidation amid economic pressure.
Construction Equipment Strengthens
Across most construction categories, buyer activity rose while listings remained stable or slightly lower—indicating stronger turnover and tighter supply.
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Articulated dump trucks recorded an 11% increase in demand despite an 8% decline in listings, with Volvo maintaining its top position in both popularity and auction sales. Median prices rose 5% year-on-year, while units sold jumped 79%.
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Crawler excavator sales were up 35%, with Hitachi, Caterpillar, and Komatsu leading in volume. The average unit age held steady at seven years, while prices increased marginally by 1%.
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Mini excavators continued to dominate as the most dynamic category. Sales increased 10% year-on-year, and median prices climbed 3%. Yanmar led sales volumes, while Kubota and Takeuchi were the most in-demand brands on Mascus.
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Wheel loaders experienced 29% higher demand and a 5% rise in prices, led by Caterpillar, Volvo, and JCB. The Netherlands, Spain, and Poland ranked as the top buyer markets.
Agriculture Faces Mixed Conditions
The agricultural machinery segment reflected a more cautious outlook. Tractor prices fell by 5% compared to Q3 2024, with inventories ageing and investment restrained. Nevertheless, activity in Spain, Germany, and France remained robust, signalling steady secondary market trade.
A Market in Transition
The Q3 report suggests the European market is transitioning from recovery to reconfiguration. Buyers increasingly favour younger, more efficient machines, even at premium prices, while sellers benefit from improved liquidity and cross-border demand.
“By late 2025, the market has moved beyond recovery into a phase of reconfiguration,” notes the report. “Construction equipment leads this transition, compact machinery maintains strong momentum, and agriculture consolidates amid tighter conditions.”
Ritchie Bros. concludes that the market’s resilience reflects strong fundamentals and the growing role of online auctions and data intelligence in supporting more efficient transactions and fleet management across Europe.
