Most used equipment providers, particularly those offering “certified” products, claim their machines undergo thorough inspections. What’s different about Cat® Certified Used? Take a closer look at how and what we inspect, and you’ll discover we go to great lengths to make sure every piece of Cat Certified Used equipment is “good as new.”

A good inspection can’t be rushed or cut short, and doing one right requires using more than simply the naked eye. Before they start an inspection, our dealer inspectors are trained to:

• Schedule ample time to complete the job
• Review the machine configuration, any additions, service/repair history and fluid sampling results
• Gather any required tools and technology, such as:
  • Cat Inspect app or other electronic inspection device
  • Electronic Technician (ET) to access the machine’s Electronic Control Modules (ECM)
  • Track measuring toolkit and/or ultrasonic wear indicator for precession measuring of undercarriage wear
• Check service codes to determine if any maintenance is required<
• Check planetary for correct fluid levels
• Work in a safe area with plenty of room for walk around inspection

We do our best to make sure every Cat Certified Used machine is inspected in the same way to the same standards — no matter where in the world you purchase it. When you buy a Cat Certified Used machine, you’ll know it was inspected by an expert trained to:

• Complete an initial walkaround to assess the machine’s overall condition prior to start up
• Start and maneuver the machine to ensure all systems and components function properly
• Follow Cat Used inspection standards to rate each component’s condition:
  • “Good”: Does not need to be repaired or replaced
  • “Fair”: Does not need to be replaced, but should be repaired
  • “Poor”: Needs to be replaced
    
• Include remarks and photographs for all critical components and any items rated “Fair” or “Poor”
• Perform all operational tests

For a used machine to bare the Cat Certified Used brand, all components must be rated "Good" on a Caterpillar standard used inspection form by a trained inspector. That means no leaks, no visual damage, no mechanical or system problems, no excessive wear and no safety issues. If any of these problems are noted during the inspection, they must be repaired before the machine can be labeled Cat Certified Used.

Check out our requirements for these key machine systems and components:

• Cab: Clean and detailed. All gauges/switches on panel controls functioning properly. No missing components. ROPS not welded, drilled or damaged.
  
• Undercarriage or tires: At least 50% life remaining. Track tension in order. No visible damage or excessive wear to any component.
• Components: No visible damage or excessive wear.
• Ground engaging tools (GET): At least 50% life remaining. No significant wear to attachment, teeth or blade. Normal bucket thickness. No excessive wear to the back of blade or bucket. No leaks on hydromechanical attachments.
• Cylinders: No leaking, scratches, scoring or pitting. No visible damage to chrome. Clean rods and cylinders.
• Sheet metal & counterweights: No visible damage to metal work. No counterweight repair required.
• Glass & mirrors: Clean with no chips, cracks or breakage. Glass seals in good condition. Mirrors in place.
• Lights & signal lights: All present and functioning properly. No cracks.
• Hoses: No major wear.
• Parts: Filters, batteries, hoses, undercarriage, GET, buckets and blades must be Cat parts.

You can view inspection reports — standard for every Cat Certified Used machine — on CatUsed.com. Here’s a sample of what you’ll see. Once you’re online, you can dive deeper into every category to view the condition of individual parts and components.