UK Used Construction Machinery Market Kicks Off 2026 with Confidence and Growth with £61.2 million January Auction Sale
Euro Auctions, Leeds, UK – Delivering a Record Sale in January 2026 Shows the Used Machinery Market is in Good Health in all Sectors, Seeing Strong Demand
The opening weeks of 2026 delivered a confident signal for the used equipment market. The Euro Auctions, Leeds sale, at the end of January not only became the largest on record but provided a strong indication of positive market conditions as the year begins.
The four-day auction, held from 28–31 January, achieved a hammer total of £61.2 million, exceeding previous Leeds results highlighting a clear upward shift in values and engagement. Beyond the headline figure, the breadth and quality of participation best reflected market health.
This strength was mirrored globally in January, with the Euro Auctions Group achieving total sales revenue of £66 million, including results from its North America operations, ‘Canada Auctions’ comprising of Michener Allen, North Toronto Auctions and Jardine Auctions.
Vendor confidence in the UK was strong, with 691 vendors consigning equipment. Importantly, 12% were first-time sellers, suggesting confidence is broadening rather than relying solely on established participants. Consignments were well balanced across construction, agriculture and surplus assets, pointing to planned asset rotation rather than distressed selling.
Buyer behaviour reinforced this positive picture. In total, 9,100 bidders took part, 73% of buyers returning, including 12% first-time bidders, with over 2,000 buyers successfully purchasing equipment. This blend of repeat and new participation shows a market that continues to attract fresh interest while retaining loyalty.
Online bidding remained a major driver, accounting for almost 69% of the hammer total. Buyers are increasingly confident purchasing higher-value assets remotely, expanding geographic reach and intensifying competition on well-presented equipment.
Demand was broad-based. Agricultural machinery performed particularly well, with strong interest in both new and quality used tractors. Construction equipment also saw consistent demand, with competitive bidding across excavators from minis through to 20-tonne-plus machines. The surplus sector traded solidly, reflecting ongoing fleet optimisation rather than market stress.
Live attendance added momentum, with over 1,200 people on site, creating a competitive atmosphere alongside strong online participation. The buyer base was increasingly international, with the UK and Republic of Ireland remaining dominant, mainland Europe contributed significantly, with strong activity from Poland, Cyprus and Spain (knocking The Netherlands off their customary their ‘number three’ spot in the international buying table), alongside interest from the Middle East and Africa.
“You Should Be Selling at the Next Leeds Sale” Urgers Chris Osborbne
Chris Osborne, Territory Manager, Euro Auctions
chris.osborne@euroauctions.com
“Reflecting on the January Leeds sale, the result was driven as much by market timing as by the scale of the auction itself. Looking back, 2025 was a year of hesitation across the industry. Investment decisions were delayed, construction activity slowed, and many operators chose to hold onto equipment. Following the post-COVID period, when prices rose sharply, the market reached the end of a natural four-year cycle, with used values not strong enough to encourage fleet renewal, which restricted stock coming to market.”
“By the end of 2025 conditions had shifted, with many businesses that had stood on the sidelines regarding fleet renewals, with equipment that had failed to sell in 2025, were now coming forward. This release of pent-up stock was a key reason behind the strength and depth of the January Euro Auctions line-up, which attracted intense buyer interest.”
“The larger national operators, particularly those working on major infrastructure projects, have continued to invest confidently in new machinery, this is reflected in forthcoming off-site sales, during March. In contrast, smaller and mid-sized operators have held onto equipment longer but are now returning to the market to sell ageing machines and acquire replacements at auction.”
“Looking ahead, I believe the January sale has set a very strong platform for the first quarter of this new year. On the back of the January performance, Euro Auctions will be managing a major off-site sale for Charles Wilson on 18 February, followed by a large off-site sale for Flannery in Manchester on the 10th March, before returning to Leeds on the 11th March for the next scheduled auction. Together, these sales are expected to carry forward the momentum established in January, creating a very buoyant first quarter to 2026”.
“Live attendance was another standout feature at this sale, with all rings and ramps rammed with bidders and spectators throughout the entire sale, with over 1,100 floor bidders attending the sale in person. The strong live presence added competition and energy, contributing to price levels that exceeded expectations and left consignors extremely satisfied. We hit a genuine “sweet spot”, with prices running around 10% to 20% stronger than levels seen during 2025.”
“My advice to anyone with equipment to sell is simple, to engage early, and ‘Get involved in the next Leeds sale as soon as you can’ based on the strength of demand seen in January, as I believes prices may well surprise you, being on the upside. With spring approaching, the financial year end in sight, and ongoing consolidation among larger operators, demand for quality equipment remains strong.”
Managers Top-Picks From This Sale
| Description
Volvo A30G 6×6 Articulated Dumptruck, Tail Gate, Reverse Camera, A/C (Reg. Docs. Available, Copy of Declaration of Conformity Available) |
Category
Articulated Dumptruck |
Year
2022 |
£
164,000 |
| Volvo A30G 6×6 Articulated Dumptruck, Tail Gate, Reverse Camera, A/C (Reg. Docs. Available, Copy of Declaration of Conformity Available) | Articulated Dumptruck | 2021 | 160,000 |
| Volvo A30E 6×6 Articulated Dumptruck, Tail Gate, Reverse Camera, A/C | Articulated Dumptruck | 2008 | 95,000 |
| Bell B20E 6×6 Articulated Dumptruck, Reverse Camera, A/C | Articulated Dumptruck | 2018 | 91,000 |
| CAT D6T LGP Straight Blade & Tilt, 360 Camera, A/A | Dozer | 2019 | 95,000 |
| Komatsu D51PXI-24 6 Way Pat Blade, GPS, A/C (2,236 Hours) | Dozer | 2021 | 99,000 |
| Hitachi ZX490LCH-7 750mm Pads, CV, QH, Piped, Aux Piping, Reverse & Side Camera, A/C (Declaration of Conformity Available) | 20TonExc | 2022 | 145,000 |
| Hitachi ZX490LCH-7 750mm Pads, CV, QH, Piped, 3 Way Camera, A/C | 20TonExc | 2021 | 145,000 |
| Hitachi ZX350LC-7 700mm Pads, CV, QH, Piped, Aux. Piping, 360 Camera, A/C (Declaration of Conformity Available) | 20TonExc | 2024 | 158,000 |
| Hitachi ZX350LC-7 700mm Pads, CV, QH, Piped, Aux. Piping, 3 Way Camera, A/C (Declaration of Conformity Available) | 20TonExc | 2023 | 157,000 |
| CAT 336 700mm Pads, CV, QH, Piped, Aux. Piping, 360 Camera, A/C | 20TonExc | 2019 | 84,000 |
| Volvo EC300EL 700mm Pads, CV, QH, Piped, Aux. Piping, Reverse Camera, Side Camera, A/C (Copy of Declaration of Conformity Available) | 20TonExc | 2022 | 152,500 |
| Komatsu PC290LC-11E0 800mm Pads, CV, QH, Piped, Aux. Piping, 3 Way Camera, A/C (Copy of Declaration of Conformity Available) (Meter Reading: 1527 Hours) | 20TonExc | 2023 | 127,500 |
| Hitachi ZX210LC-7 700mm Pads, CV, QH, Piped, 3 Way Camera, A/C (Copy Declaration of Conformity Available) | 20TonExc | 2024 | 94,000 |
| Volvo EC200EL 700mm Pads, CV, QH, Piped, Aux. Piping, Reverse Camera, Side Camera, A/C (Copy of Declaration of Conformity Available) (Meter Reading: 1905 Hours) | 20TonExc | 2023 | 100,000 |
| Hitachi ZX130LCN-7 700mm Pads, CV, QH, Piped, Aux. Piping, 3 Way Camera, A/C | 10TonExc | 2022 | 59,000 |
| Hitachi ZX135USBL-7 700mm Pads, Blade, CV, QH, Piped, 3 Way Camera, A/C (Declaration of Conformity Available) | 10TonExc | 2022 | 73,000 |
| JCB 140XLSV 700mm Pads, CV, QH, Piped, 360 Camera, A/C (Declaration of Conformity Available) | 10TonExc | 2023 | 45,000 |
| Kobelco SK140SRLC-5 700mm Pads, Blade, CV, QH, Piped, Aux. Piping, Reverse Camera, Side Camera, A/C | 10TonExc | 2019 | 43,000 |
| Doosan DL220-7 Wheeled Loader, Reverse Camera, A/C | Wheeled Loader | 2021 | 60,000 |
| Volvo L150H Wheeled Loader, QH, Auto Lube, 360 Camera, WLI, A/C | Wheeled Loader | 2021 | 136,000 |
| JCB 3CX Sitemaster Pro Turbo Powershift Backhoe Loader, QH, Piped, Power Slide, SRS, A/C (Reg. Docs. Available) | Backhoe | 2023 | 55,000 |
| Case Magnum 380 4WD Tractor, 50kph, Bar Axle & Wheel Weights, Guidance Ready, Rear Tyres 710/70R42, Front Tyres 650/65R34, Hydraulic Top Rear Linkage, 6 x Electrical Spools, High Flow Pumps 1937 HRS (Reg. Docs. Available) (Warranty till March 26 or 3000 h | Tractor | 2023 | 129,000 |
| Case Magnum 380 CVX Tracked Dozer | Tractor | 2021 | 132,000 |
The Next Sales – from Euro Auctions global, Yoder & Frey USA, and Canada Auctions
Euro Auctions Charles Wilson, Fleet Renewal, Leeds 18 – 19 February
Euro Auctions Australia – Online 19 – 20 February
Euro Auctions Dromore, Northern Ireland 20 – 21 February
Euro Auctions Zaragoza, Spain 25 – 26 February
Euro Auctions Extraspace Fleet Renewal, Dublin 25 February
Yoder & Frey Ohio, USA 26 – 27 February
Euro Auctions Mountrath, Republic of Ireland 27 – 28 February
Euro Auctions Dromore, online Tool Auction 20 – 21 February
Euro Auctions Flannery Plant Hire, Manchester 27 28 February
Euro Auctions Leeds, UK 11 – 14 March
Canada Auctions MAA Canada 12 – 14 March
Euro Auctions Tiemann Landertechnik, Hamburg, DE 14 March
Canada Auctions Jardine, Canada 19 – 20 March
Yoder & Frey Atlanta, USA 19 March
Euro Auctions Dormagen, Germany 25 – 27 March
Euro Auctions Brisbane, Australia, Online Tool Auction 26 March
Canada Auctions North Toronto Auction 19 – 20 March
Euro Auctions Abu Dhabi, Middle East 30 – 31 March
For more information on upcoming auctions or to register, telephone or email:
Euro Auctions HQ – Northern Ireland, UK:
T: +44 (0) 2882 898262
