The European market for used equipment became noticeably tighter as a result of a more concentrated supply of machinery in the second quarter of 2026. In most major equipment categories, inventories continued to decline while buyer demand remained resilient or strengthened significantly in some segments. As a result, prices generally remained stable or increased despite lower auction volumes.
By combining Mascus listing and buyer enquiry data with Ritchie Bros. auction results, the Used Equipment Market Trends Report Q2 2026 provides a comprehensive picture of how supply, demand, pricing and buyer activity evolved across Europe’s construction, access, agricultural and transport equipment markets.
The most pronounced shift was seen in tractor units. Mascus listings fell by 26% compared with Q2 2025, while buyer enquiries increased by 72%. Despite higher-mileage vehicles entering the market, median auction prices remained virtually unchanged, suggesting demand continued to absorb the limited supply. Auction sales volumes declined by 31%, reflecting fewer machines coming to market rather than weaker buyer demand.
The access equipment market also performed well. Boom lift prices increased by 10% year-on-year despite lower auction volumes, while Mascus listings edged up by 3% and buyer demand remained close to last year’s level. Scissor lifts recorded the strongest demand growth, with buyer enquiries increasing by 24%. Median auction prices rose by 13%, even though the machines sold were older and had accumulated more operating hours than a year earlier, indicating that demand rather than machine quality was driving prices.
Crawler excavators remained balanced throughout the quarter. Mascus listings declined by 14%, while buyer enquiries eased by 6%. Median auction prices were virtually unchanged, sales volumes increased by 14%, and the machines sold had lower median operating hours than a year earlier.
The tractor market showed a similar pattern. Mascus listings fell by 19%, compared with an 8% decline in buyer enquiries. Median auction prices slipped by just 3% year-on-year, while machine age remained unchanged and median usage improved slightly.
Across all five equipment categories, inventories continued to tighten. In most cases, supply declined faster than buyer demand, helping to keep prices stable or push them higher despite lower auction volumes. For sellers, constrained supply continues to support market values, while buyers are facing increasing competition for quality used equipment across Europe.