Buying a cheaper forklift can feel like a good move. You save money upfront and tick a big task off the list. But what starts as a bargain can very quickly turn into a money pit. Repairs, downtime and poor performance all add up. And before you know it, that budget forklift is costing more than it saved.

Whilst it might look like a smart choice at first, the long-term picture often tells a whole different story. If you’re seeing more breakdowns than breakdown cover, you’re not alone. It’s a trap plenty of businesses fall into.

As one of the leading forklift truck suppliers in the UK, we’ve put together this blog to break down exactly why cheap forklifts aren’t always such a great deal, and what to consider instead.

The Hidden Costs No One Mentions

That low price tag might look appealing, but it rarely tells the full story. Budget forklifts often come with worn parts or dated tech. Repairs crop up quicker than expected, and finding spares can be a real faff.

Then there’s the service bills. A cheap forklift might need fixing more often, and those call-outs aren’t free. Over time, those “small” fixes can chip away at your budget and slow everything down.

Downtime That Disrupts Everything

If your forklift is constantly out of action, your whole operation feels it. Delays, missed deadlines and annoyed customers all follow. A job that should take minutes can drag on for hours.

Even swapping in a backup takes time and effort. You lose rhythm, your team loses pace and productivity drops. All because your ‘bargain’ truck can’t keep up with the workload.

Safety Risks Aren’t Worth the Gamble

Let’s talk safety as it is one of the most important things to consider when buying a forklift. Budget forklifts may lack modern safety features, or worse, have faulty ones. That puts your operators at risk and can lead to costly accidents or injury claims.

Outdated brakes, worn tyres, dodgy hydraulics – these things don’t just slow you down, they put people in danger. It also opens the door to potential compliance issues if your equipment isn’t up to scratch during inspections.

Maintenance That Never Seems to End

With cheaper forklifts, it’s not just the odd fault here and there, it’s a constant cycle. You patch one problem, then before you know it… another pops up! These machines are often older or built with low-grade parts, so naturally, they wear faster.

You’ll spend more time organising repairs than getting the job done. And whilst it might not seem like a big deal at first, every call-out costs money. Factor in the downtime too and it quickly snowballs into a pricey pattern.

On top of that, regular servicing doesn’t always solve the bigger issues. You might find you’re paying to keep an underperforming machine limping along, instead of investing in something that actually works.

Poor Fuel Efficiency = Higher Running Costs

That budget forklift might run, but is it running smart? Older and cheaper models are often fuel-hungry. It doesn’t matter if you’re using diesel, gas, or even electricity, inefficient systems mean you burn through more than you should.

Over the months, those extra costs start to pile up. You’ll be filling up more often or seeing higher energy bills without getting much back in return. Newer machines are designed with efficiency at the forefront. Cheaper ones? Not so much.

And it’s not just the fuel either. Worn engines or ageing batteries work much harder to deliver the same output. In turn, this puts even more strain on your wallet.

Lower Resale Value, If Any

When it’s time to upgrade, a well-kept, high-quality forklift can still bring in some cash. That’s rarely the case with budget models though. Cheaper machines tend to lose value fast, especially if they’ve been patched up one too many times.

You might struggle to sell it at all. Most buyers are wary of older forklifts with mystery faults or a hefty repair history. What felt like a small saving at the start now leaves you with a machine that’s barely worth the space it takes up.

Invest Wisely, Save Later

That tempting price tag might grab your attention, but it rarely pays off in the long run. Budget forklifts often come with higher repair bills, lower reliability and weaker resale value. They cost more in lost time, fuel, and stress than they’re worth.

If you’re serious about getting the job done safely, efficiently and without endless drama, it’s worth investing in the right machine from the beginning.

Need help picking a forklift that won’t let you down? Get in touch with H&F Lift Trucks. We’ll help you find a machine that works hard, lasts longer and keeps your business moving.