Should I get finance pre-approved before buying equipment?

Yes — always. Finance pre-approval confirms your exact budget, gives you negotiating power with sellers and prevents the risk of finding your ideal machine only to discover it cannot be financed. Overdrive Funding can provide finance pre-approval within 24 hours in most cases.

What is a PPSR check and why is it important?

A PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) check verifies whether any financier holds a security interest over a piece of equipment. If you buy equipment with an existing finance encumbrance, the financier may have the right to repossess it even after you have paid the seller. A PPSR check costs around $2 and takes minutes — it is an essential step before buying any second-hand equipment.

What finance structure is best for equipment purchases?

The right structure depends on your tax position and how you use the equipment. Chattel mortgage is most common for owner-operator businesses. Finance lease suits businesses that prefer to keep equipment off their balance sheet. Operating lease suits businesses with short equipment cycles. Speak to us before buying — we can recommend the right structure for your specific situation.

Can I get finance for used equipment from a private seller?

Yes. We finance equipment from dealers, private sellers, auction and fleet disposals. Lender requirements for private sale equipment may differ from dealer purchases — speak to us before finalising a private sale to confirm finance eligibility.

What equipment finance rates are available in Australia?

Equipment finance rates in Australia start from around 6.1% per annum for established businesses with clean credit financing new equipment from major brands. Used equipment, new ABNs and adverse credit attract higher rates. Comparing 80+ lenders through a broker identifies the sharpest available rate.

Can I finance used equipment?

Yes. Used equipment from dealers, private sellers and auction is financeable. Lenders assess the age, condition and resale market for the specific equipment. Well-maintained equipment from reputable sources is supported by most lenders on our panel.

Can I get low doc equipment finance?

Yes. Low doc equipment finance is available up to $500,000 without tax returns or BAS. You need your ABN, driver's licence and recent bank statements. Same-day conditional approvals are common.

Can I get no deposit equipment finance?

Yes. No deposit equipment finance is available for eligible businesses with 2+ years ABN, active GST registration and clean credit. The equipment's resale value and your business history determine no-deposit eligibility.

Can you arrange insurance for my equipment?

Yes. Overdrive Funding works with trusted insurance partners who can arrange the right cover alongside your finance application. Whether you need comprehensive, CTP, public liability or fleet cover, we can connect you with specialist providers to protect your equipment from day one.

Can you beat my current finance quote?

We often can. Overdrive Funding has access to exclusive lenders offering discounted rates that aren't available directly through banks, dealers or other brokers. If you have an existing quote, send it to us and we'll compare it against our full panel of 80+ lenders — free of charge with no impact on your credit score.

Before You Buy a Forklift — Complete Checklist 2026

Name: Overdrive Commercial Funding
Address: 54 Miller St, North Sydney, NSW, 2060, AU
Telephone: +61417000316
Price range: Free
Rating: 5

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Key Takeaways

Always get finance pre-approved before you commit to buying — it gives you certainty on budget and negotiating power.
Run a PPSR check on any used equipment to confirm there are no finance encumbrances.
Inspect the equipment in person — photos and descriptions alone are not sufficient for large purchases.
Compare 80+ lenders through a broker for the most competitive finance rate.
Equipment finance deals: We guarantee the best deal available in the market and our services are free — we're paid a "referral fee" by the lender after settlement, no cost to you.

Forklift Research

Identify the right capacity — 1.8T, 2.5T, 3.5T, 5T or larger counterbalance forklifts
Identify the right fuel type — LPG, diesel or electric (battery) for your application
Consider mast height requirements for your racking system
Research the brand — Toyota, Crown, Hyster, Linde and Clark are the most common in Australia

Finance Pre-Approval

Get forklift finance pre-approved before inspecting — confirms budget and avoids disappointment
Compare 80+ lenders through a broker for the most competitive rate
Consider operating lease vs chattel mortgage depending on your hours and replacement cycle

Forklift Inspection Checklist

Check engine hours (LPG/diesel) or battery condition and cycle count (electric)
Check LPG system for leaks, hose condition and regulator condition
For electric forklifts — check battery voltage, capacity and number of charge cycles
Test all controls — forward/reverse, lift, tilt, side shift and attachments
Check mast chains — lubrication, wear and stretch
Check mast uprights for damage, bend or wear
Inspect carriage and forks — fork blade thickness, blade wear and any bends or cracks
Check tyres — tread depth, flat spots (solid tyres) or pressure and condition (pneumatic)
Check the overhead guard — no cracks, bends or damage
Test the horn, lights, reverse alarm and seatbelt
Check hydraulic cylinders for leaks and smooth operation

Safety and Compliance

Check that the forklift has a current engineer's inspection if required
Verify the rated capacity matches your operational requirements
Check for any modifications that may affect the rated capacity or stability
Verify compliance with AS2359 Australian Standards for industrial trucks
Run a PPSR check — check for finance encumbrances on the forklift

Get Pre-Approved Before You Buy

The single most important step before buying any commercial equipment is getting your finance pre-approved. Pre-approval confirms your budget, gives you negotiating power and prevents the situation of finding the perfect machine only to discover you cannot get it financed. At Overdrive Funding, we compare 80+ lenders and can provide pre-approval in as little as 24 hours — call Simon or fill in the form above.

Before You Buy a Forklift: The Complete Checklist | Overdrive Funding