Used Skid Steer & Attachments Finance in Australia

Key highlights

• Used skid steers cost less and remain fully fundable
• Age, hours and condition shape approval and rate
• Attachments can often be included in a used-machine facility
• Private-sale purchases are fundable with the right lender
• One broker application avoids multiple separate credit enquiries

Can you finance a used skid steer in Australia?

Yes, and it is very common. Skid steers are among the most widely traded machines in the country, so lenders are comfortable funding quality secondhand units with a reasonable working life ahead. A machine from a recognised manufacturer with moderate hours and a service history is straightforward to finance, and attachments can often be included in the same facility. Because a used skid steer costs less than new, the amount borrowed is smaller, which can make repayments more comfortable. Older or heavily worked machines are still fundable but may attract shorter terms or a slightly higher rate to reflect the risk. The strong secondhand market for skid steers works in your favour, since good resale demand makes them sound security. Approval remains subject to lender criteria and your business profile.

How do age and hours affect your finance?

Lenders assess a used skid steer on its remaining economic life. Most cap the funded term so the loan finishes before the machine is likely retired, meaning an older unit generally carries a shorter maximum term. Hours count alongside age, since a well-maintained machine with lower hours may be treated more favourably than a newer one that has been run hard on demanding sites. Condition, tyre or track wear, and evidence of regular servicing all feed into the assessment. A mainstream brand with strong resale demand is easier to fund than an unusual model. None of this prevents finance, but it shapes the term, deposit and rate offered to eligible applicants. A late-model, low-hour skid steer in good order will usually attract the most competitive terms available for a used machine.

Can attachments be included with a used machine?

Often, yes. Many lenders will fund a used skid steer together with its attachments — buckets, augers, grapples, four-in-one buckets, mulchers and more — in a single facility, whether the tools are new or secondhand. This keeps your working setup funded under one agreement with one repayment. The lender considers the combined value and the overall loan-to-value picture, and because attachments add earning capacity, they generally view the package positively. For a used purchase, providing clear details and values for each attachment helps the assessment. Bundling avoids arranging separate finance for tools you need from day one. Whether and how attachments are included varies by lender, so it is worth confirming upfront. A broker can point you to the funders most willing to finance a complete used machine-and-attachments package.

Can you finance a private-sale skid steer?

Buying privately can save money, and many lenders on a broad panel will fund private-sale skid steers, though not all do. For a private purchase the lender usually verifies the seller, checks the PPSR to confirm the machine is unencumbered, and may require a valuation or inspection. This protects you as well, confirming you are buying a clean asset at a fair price. Dealer purchases can be slightly simpler thanks to existing paperwork and any warranty, but private sales are well within reach. The advantage of a broker is knowing upfront which lenders are comfortable with private transactions, so your application goes to a funder likely to approve rather than being declined for being a private deal. That targeting saves time and protects your credit file from wasted enquiries.

Why inspect before financing a used skid steer?

An independent inspection is sensible on any used skid steer and often helps the finance too. These machines work hard, and wear on the hydraulics, drive motors, tyres or tracks, and loader arms is not always obvious at a glance. A qualified inspection confirms the machine is mechanically sound and fairly priced, protecting your investment and giving the lender confidence in their security. For private sales, an inspection or valuation may be a lender condition rather than optional. It also strengthens your negotiating hand if the report flags upcoming repairs or worn attachments. A small spend on due diligence up front can prevent costly downtime later and makes an eligible finance application more robust. Simon can tell you when a lender will require a formal valuation for the machine you are considering.

What rates apply to used skid steer finance?

Used-equipment rates depend on the machine's age and condition, your credit profile, the deposit and the term. For eligible applicants, indicative rates start from around 6.55% p.a., always subject to assessment and lender criteria. Late-model used skid steers in good order sit at the sharper end, while older or high-hour machines may attract a premium reflecting their shorter remaining life. A solid deposit, clean credit and a few years trading under your ABN all help. Because lenders price used plant differently, the rate offered for the same machine can vary noticeably between funders. Comparing the panel rather than accepting your bank's first number is where a broker earns their value, often uncovering a materially better deal on the exact machine and attachments you want.

How does a broker speed up a used deal?

Secondhand skid steers sell quickly, especially good private listings, so keeping the finance moving matters if you do not want to lose the machine. A broker handles that momentum. Simon Kendrick knows which of the 80+ lenders are comfortable with used and private-sale skid steers and will include attachments, so your application goes to funders likely to approve rather than everyone at once. He manages the PPSR checks, valuation requirements and paperwork, and negotiates the terms. A single, targeted application protects your credit file from multiple enquiries and shortens the time to a decision. For eligible buyers, that means securing the machine and tools you want at a competitive rate without the usual delays and back-and-forth of arranging finance yourself.

Found a used skid steer, or still comparing listings across the classifieds? Knowing your finance position first puts you in a stronger spot to negotiate with a seller. Simon Kendrick can compare 80+ banks and non-bank lenders, include your attachments in the same facility, and give you an obligation-free quote using only a soft credit check, so your file stays clean. He handles the PPSR checks and valuation requirements that used and private-sale purchases involve, keeping the deal moving so you do not lose the machine. For eligible applicants, decisions can arrive within 24 to 48 hours once documents are in. Get in touch with Overdrive Machinery Finance and move on the right used machine with confidence.