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LIFA client project · Algiers, Algeria

Used construction equipment for Algeria.Four machines, 15% below budget.

LIFA qualified three equipment dealers and compared machine condition, price and warranty for an Algerian contractor. The buyer acquired two excavators and two loaders, then reduced fleet downtime from 23% to 9%.

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The buyer’s challenge

A failed purchase made the next decision more important.

The contractor’s fleet averaged 11 years old. Downtime had reached 23% of operating hours, putting project delivery under pressure.

A previous machine from an unverified reseller arrived with 3,100 unreported hours and failed within four months. The estimated loss in billable time was $86,000. The next purchase needed a stronger basis than the dealer’s asking price.

The buyer
An Algiers contractor with three active infrastructure projects and a mixed fleet of 22 machines.
The equipment brief
Two 20-ton-class excavators and two 3-ton-class wheel loaders, sourced semi-new or lightly used.
How LIFA managed the work

Put dealer history, condition and terms in one comparison.

The buyer needed machines suited to its next tender season. We organized dealer checks, machine assessments and warranty discussions before recommending a purchase.

  1. Screen a 12-dealer longlist

    We scanned China, Korea and Europe markets, checking dealer registration and trading history.

  2. Assess seven shortlisted machines

    A condition checklist covered the hour meter, undercarriage wear, hydraulics and service records for each unit.

  3. Negotiate support after purchase

    Warranty terms of at least six months / 1,000 hours and spare-parts kits were negotiated with each dealer.

  4. Compare the complete offer

    We delivered a price, condition and warranty comparison with a clear purchase recommendation for the buyer.

The buyer’s decisions

Technical criteria before purchase approval.

  • The buyer approved the 12-dealer longlist.
  • The site engineering manager approved the condition criteria.
  • The owner approved the purchase recommendation.

The records behind the decision

  • Dealer comparison sheet.
  • Inspection checklists for seven inspected units.
  • Warranty and spare-parts-kit terms.

Buyer identity, individual purchase prices and dealer contacts are withheld from this public project record.

Project results

Four machines acquired.
Two projects delivered on schedule.

Three dealers qualified. The buyer purchased two excavators and two loaders, saving approximately $118,000 against the planned budget. Fleet downtime fell to 9%, and the two tender projects were delivered on schedule.

Below planned budget
Four-machine purchase
15%
Fleet downtime
Previously 23%
9%

What this project shows

Used-equipment comparisons need condition, service history and warranty terms alongside price. Recorded operating hours alone did not resolve this buyer’s risk. A consistent inspection brief and an agreed comparison gave the contractor a clearer purchase decision.

For your next used-equipment purchase

Look beyond the hour meter.

Ask your technical team to connect the machine’s history with its present condition. Record findings against the exact unit you are considering.

Excavator illustration showing linked steel tracks, hydraulic cylinders, hoses, pivot joints and a worn digging bucket
Undercarriage and wear
Compare track, roller and sprocket condition with the machine’s working history. Ask for measurements and the applicable manufacturer’s wear criteria.
Hydraulics and movement
Include cylinders, hoses, leaks and functional checks in the inspection scope. Have a qualified technician assess findings and any required repairs.
Hours and service records
Match the machine identification, reported hours, repair history and inspection evidence. Record gaps before the purchase decision.

Volvo Construction Equipment’s used-machine inspection guidance explains how previous use and service history help direct component checks. Apply the relevant manufacturer’s procedures to your machine.

Prepare a comparable equipment brief

Agree what the offer must include.

Send the technical requirement before asking dealers for their best price. Record missing information, condition differences and exclusions so that each offer can be compared fairly.

A lower purchase price should be considered alongside repairs, spare parts, warranty support and the delivery scope you approve.

Machine and application
Equipment type, required capacity, jobsite application, preferred models or acceptable alternatives, attachments and quantity.
Identity and condition
Machine identification, year, recorded hours, service and repair history, dated inspection evidence, functional tests and the buyer’s acceptance criteria.
Warranty and spare parts
Covered components, time and hour limits, exclusions, claim process, parts-kit contents, availability and who pays for parts and delivery.
Commercial and delivery scope
Budget, destination, target date, inspection arrangements, payment milestones, freight and packing scope. Identify costs excluded from the dealer’s offer.

Support for your next equipment decision

Explore construction-equipment sourcing, used-machinery sourcing or sourcing support for Africa.

Before choosing a used machine

Equipment-sourcing questions, answered.

What did LIFA deliver for the Algerian contractor?

Three equipment dealers qualified. The buyer acquired two excavators and two wheel loaders at 15% below its planned budget, saving approximately $118,000 against that plan. Fleet downtime fell from 23% to 9%, and the two tender projects were delivered on schedule. These are this project’s results, not a promised saving or uptime level for another purchase.

What equipment and condition did the buyer request?

The brief called for two 20-ton-class excavators and two 3-ton-class wheel loaders, sourced semi-new or lightly used. LIFA reviewed the China, Korea and Europe markets, built a 12-dealer list and applied a condition-assessment checklist to seven shortlisted machines. The record does not identify a specific brand or model for the four purchased units.

Is a low hour-meter reading enough to choose a used machine?

No. In this project, a previous unverified purchase arrived with 3,100 unreported operating hours. LIFA’s subsequent comparison considered the hour meter, undercarriage wear, hydraulics and service records together. For a new purchase, ask for findings tied to the exact machine and compare those findings against the condition criteria approved by your technical team.

What warranty was negotiated?

The project record specifies a minimum of six months / 1,000 hours, with spare-parts kits negotiated with each dealer. It does not detail how the time and operating-hour limits interact. For a new quotation, confirm that basis, covered components, exclusions, claim procedure, parts availability and delivery costs in writing. This historical term is not a standard warranty on every LIFA sourcing project.

Can LIFA help assess equipment from a dealer we already found?

Yes. Share the dealer’s offer, machine identification, specification, available inspection and service records, destination and target date. Support can focus on supplier checks, condition-inspection coordination or comparing technical and commercial terms. You can retain your dealer and approve the scope, purchase decision and costs.

How are used-equipment sourcing fees agreed?

When LIFA finds the supplier, sourcing costs are included in the product quote without an added standard 5% commission. For a customer-provided supplier, the standard service commission is 5% unless agreed otherwise in writing. Inspections, parts, freight and other work follow the agreed written scope and quotation.

Review service packages and fees or the sourcing process and buyer approvals.

Start with the equipment you need

Compare machines with the facts in front of you.

Send your equipment specification, quantity, destination, budget and target date. Include any dealer quotations, machine details, inspection records and the condition requirements that matter to your project.

We review the brief, clarify missing information and propose a scope for your approval before work proceeds.

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