Why Maintenance Logs Matter for Resale Value
Documented maintenance history can add 10-20% to equipment resale value. Here's why buyers pay more for records.
The Value of Documentation
When you sell equipment, buyers are essentially buying a mystery box. They can see the outside, but they can't see how it's been treated. Maintenance records open that box.
Documented equipment commands 10-20% higher prices
Industry studies consistently show that equipment with complete service records sells for significantly more than comparable equipment without documentation.
What Buyers Want to See
- Regular oil changes at proper intervals
- Major services completed on schedule
- Any repairs and what caused them
- Current condition notes
- Professional service records (if applicable)
A buyer seeing 5 years of documented oil changes thinks "well maintained." A buyer seeing no records thinks "what are they hiding?"
Real Example: Two Excavators
Excavator A
- • 5,000 hours
- • "Maintained by previous owner"
- • No records available
- • Buyer assumes the worst
Sells for: $45,000
Excavator B
- • 5,000 hours
- • Complete service history
- • 20 documented oil changes
- • All hydraulic services logged
Sells for: $52,000
Same age, same hours, $7,000 difference. Documentation pays for itself many times over.
Start Now, Benefit Later
Even if you don't plan to sell soon, start documenting maintenance now. When you do sell (and eventually you will), you'll have years of records that prove your equipment's value.