The latest report from Ritchie Bros. on the European used equipment market shows stabilising prices, rising demand and renewed fleet investment across construction and agriculture.
[Breda, The Netherlands – 20th November 2025] – After months in the doldrums, Europe’s used equipment market is finally finding its feet again. The latest Ritchie Bros. Q3 2025 Used Equipment Market Trends Report – European Edition reveals a market returning to balance – with stronger buyer confidence, stabilising prices and a surge in cross-border trade.
Drawing on Ritchie Bros.’ auction results and Mascus listing data, the new edition shows that Europe’s used equipment market has transitioned from recovery to reconfiguration. Buyers are focusing on younger, compliant machines, while sellers are benefiting from improved liquidity and stronger resale values. By late 2025, compact machinery continues to lead this transition, supporting a more resilient and pragmatic secondary market.
Construction sector shows selective growth
Construction machinery continues to lead market growth, with compact and earthmoving categories remaining resilient.
Articulated dump trucks recorded a strong rebound in infrastructure and quarrying applications. Median auction prices rose by 5% year-on-year to around €42,700, supported by a 79% increase in lots sold. Younger fleet profiles and an ongoing shift towards modern, fuel-efficient haulers also point to active fleet renewal programmes across Northern and Western Europe. Volvo retained its position as the top-selling brand in auctions, with the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands leading the buyer markets.
Crawler excavators performed strongly in Q3. At auctions, sales increased 35% compared to Q3 2024, with median prices holding steady at just over €31,000. The most active buyer markets were the United Kingdom, Spain, and Belgium, reflecting ongoing investment in infrastructure and civil engineering. On Mascus, demand—measured through email inquiries and direct calls—also grew significantly, up 37% year-on-year, specially from United Kingdom, Germany and Netherlands.
Mini excavators remained the standout category, recording a 27% increase in demand in Mascus and a 10% increase in auction volume with a 3% median price rise to €11,800. Italy led the purchases through auctions, followed by Spain and France, as contractors and rental firms refreshed their fleets with compact, versatile models.
Wheel loaders saw a 29% jump in demand in Mascus and a 14% higher auction volumes with a 5% jump in median price, driven by demand from the Netherlands, Spain and Poland. Replacement cycles remained healthy, particularly in logistics, recycling, and aggregates, while Caterpillar, Volvo, and JCB dominated sales.
Agriculture remains cautious
The agricultural equipment market displayed more restrained sentiment. Aging inventories have led to declining median prices, and restrained investment reflect lower farm margins, reduced subsidies, and persistent input costs. Despite these pressures, activity remained stable in the European tractor market.
Mascus recorded a 3% increase in demand, while auctions sold 1% more volume, with median prices declining 5% to €35,100, driven by older units with higher usage hours.
Top buyer markets at auctions were Spain, Germany, and France, while Mascus saw the highest demand from Germany, Sweden, and Denmark.
Most sold brands at Ritchie Bros. auctions were New Holland, Deutz-Fahr, and Claas, whereas the most sought-after brands on Mascus were John Deere, New Holland, and Massey Ferguson.
Key takeaways from Q3 2025
“Across Europe, we’re now seeing a more confident and deliberate market,” says Duncan Ainscough, Head of Sales at Ritchie Bros. EMEA. “Buyers are making informed, value-driven decisions – targeting efficient, compliant machinery that supports long-term operational goals. At the same time, our data shows sellers are benefiting from renewed liquidity and a surge in cross-border transactions, as demand for quality used equipment continues to rise well beyond domestic markets.”
Northern Europe continued to show healthy demand on Mascus. In Q3, Sweden ranked among the top five demand countries across multiple categories, including articulated dump trucks (2nd), wheel loaders (2nd), tractors (2nd), and crawler excavators (4th). Mini excavators also placed Sweden in the top five demand country (4th). Finland appeared in the top five for agricultural tractors demand, while Denmark ranked among the top five for wheel loaders and tractors.
Spain ranked among the top three European buyers for wheel loaders, crawler excavators, mini excavators, and tractors. Crawler excavator sales increased 35% year-on-year, supported by ongoing infrastructure development. The market continues to balance domestic demand with a growing export footprint.
The full report is available now for free download, providing an in-depth analysis of the current landscape and actionable insights for industry stakeholders.
About Ritchie Bros.
Ritchie Bros., an RB Global, Inc. (NYSE: RBA) (TSX: RBA) company, is a global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets. Operating in a number of sectors, including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, mining, and forestry, the company's selling channels include: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world's largest industrial auctioneer offering auction events with online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with weekly featured auctions and providing the exclusive IronClad Assurance® equipment condition certification; Marketplace-E, a controlled marketplace offering multiple price and timing options; and Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service. For more information about Ritchie Bros., visit rbauction.com or for more information on RB Global, visit rbglobal.com.