FixFin — Automotive Equipment Financing
NEW & USED EQUIPMENT

USED VEHICLE LIFT
BUYING GUIDE

A well-chosen used lift can anchor a bay for years at a lower entry cost — here's what to verify before you buy, and how used lifts are financed.

AUDIENCE: SHOP OWNERS & OPERATORS6 MIN READLAST UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 2026REVIEWED BY FIXFIN EQUIPMENT FINANCE TEAM
Well-maintained used two-post vehicle lift in an independent automotive repair garage.

The vehicle lift is the biggest single equipment purchase in most service bays — and one of the most durable. Well-maintained lifts outlast the shops that install them, which is why a healthy used market exists across Canada: dealers take trade-ins, shops upgrade, and closing facilities sell complete bays.

A used lift can anchor a new shop, equip a spare bay, or add capability at a lower entry cost. Like any used purchase, the value depends on condition, history and verification — this guide covers what to weigh before you request financing.

THE SHORT ANSWER

A used lift can be a strong purchase when it comes from a verifiable source — an equipment dealer's certified trade-in, a shop with service records, or a facility winding down — and it still meets the manufacturer's installation requirements for your bay.

The two questions that matter most: what condition is it in, and who can install it to the manufacturer's specifications in your facility. A clear answer to both makes a used lift worth considering; uncertainty on either is a reason to price a new one.

WHAT TO LOOK AT IN A USED LIFT

CONDITION AND WEAR — visible wear on arms, columns, hydraulics and safety mechanisms
SERVICE HISTORY — records of maintenance and repairs, where available
THE SOURCE — dealer trade-ins, documented private sales and facility wind-downs carry different levels of verification
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS — anchoring, concrete and electrical requirements are defined by the lift manufacturer for each model
SAFETY MECHANISMS — locking and safety systems should be present and functioning as the manufacturer designed

Condition assessment, installation and safety verification belong with the lift manufacturer's documentation and a qualified installer — a financing guide never replaces them.

FOUND A USED LIFT?

Tell us what you found and we'll help you explore financing options for eligible used equipment.

EXPLORE USED EQUIPMENT FINANCING

USED LIFT FINANCING CONSIDERATIONS

Eligible used lifts can be considered for financing or leasing — age, condition, the seller and the specific transaction all matter. The process mirrors a new-equipment request: describe the lift in your application, tell us what you found, and include the seller's documentation and quote where you have it.

Used lifts can also combine with new equipment in one project — a common pattern for startups equipping a first shop, where one strong used lift anchors a bay while the rest of the equipment is new.

NEW VS USED — A QUICK FRAMING

NEW — current specifications, manufacturer documentation, warranty terms as offered by the seller, straightforward installation
USED — lower entry cost, immediate availability in many cases, value that depends on verification
MIXED — many financed projects combine a used lift with new service equipment

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