Should I buy a used excavator from KJRepo.com or stick with dealers?

Need advice on buying from KJRepo - is it legit?

I'm in the market for a mini excavator for my landscaping business (looking at 5-8 ton range, something like a Kubota KX057 or Cat 305.5). I've been checking dealers and private sellers for the past month, but the prices are pretty steep - most used machines with decent hours are going for $45k-$65k.

Then I found kjrepo.com and they have several mini excavators listed as bank repos at much lower prices. There's a 2020 Kubota KX057-5 with 980 hours listed at $32,500 right now. That seems like an amazing deal compared to what dealers are asking for similar machines.

My question is: has anyone here actually bought heavy equipment from KJRepo? Is it a legitimate site or is this too good to be true? I'm nervous about sending that much money for equipment I haven't seen in person. The listing has photos and an inspection report, but I don't know how trustworthy those are.

Any experiences (good or bad) would be really helpful before I consider bidding. Thanks!

KJRepo is legit. I bought a Bobcat T870 compact track loader from them last year and the whole process was professional. They're basically a marketplace for banks to sell repossessed construction equipment, so the prices are lower because banks just want to recoup the loan balance quickly.

Here's what you need to know: The inspection reports are real and pretty thorough. Mine had detailed photos of the undercarriage, hydraulic system, engine compartment, and operator station. They also noted every scratch, dent, and issue. When my machine arrived, everything matched exactly what was in the report.

The title work is handled properly - they coordinate with the bank to release the lien and you get a clean title. Mine took about 12 days after delivery to receive the title in the mail.

One thing to understand: you're buying "as-is" with no warranty. So if that Kubota needs work after you get it, that's on you. But for the price difference you're talking about ($12k+ savings), you could afford to do some maintenance and still come out way ahead.

I'll give you the flip side. I've never used KJRepo personally, but I know two contractors who have. One had a great experience (bought a Deere 310 backhoe, no issues), the other had problems.

The second guy bought a skid steer that looked good in photos but had hidden hydraulic issues that weren't disclosed. He ended up spending $4,500 on repairs within the first month. He tried to dispute it with KJRepo but since it's sold as-is, there wasn't much recourse.

My advice: if you're going to buy from them, budget an extra $3-5k for potential repairs or maintenance. Read that inspection report like your life depends on it. And if possible, hire a mobile mechanic to meet the truck when it's delivered to do a quick once-over before you sign off.

The deals are real, but so are the risks. Just go in with your eyes open.

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

This is exactly the kind of real-world input I was looking for. Sounds like KJRepo is legitimate but definitely carries more risk than buying from a dealer with a warranty. The idea of having a mechanic check it on delivery is smart - I'll definitely do that if I win the bid.

I've been going through the inspection report for that Kubota excavator and it's actually really detailed. They documented fluid conditions, undercarriage wear percentages, hydraulic cylinder conditions, and even took close-up photos of the hour meter. There are a few minor issues noted (some scratches on the boom, one hydraulic line with slight seepage), but nothing that seems like a deal-breaker.

Given that I'd be saving around $13,000 compared to dealer pricing, I think I'm going to place a bid. Worst case, I spend a few thousand on repairs and I'm still ahead financially. I'll update this thread if I win and let you all know how it goes. Appreciate the help!

Just want to chime in here - I've been in the excavation business for 18 years and I've seen both sides of this coin. KJRepo deals can be great, but you need to know what you're looking at.

That Kubota KX057-5 is a solid machine. The -5 series has the newer D1803 engine which is pretty bulletproof. At 980 hours, it's barely broken in. Main things to watch for on these: check the swing bearing for play, make sure the blade lift cylinders aren't weeping, and test all the pilot controls for smooth operation.

If the inspection report shows the pins and bushings are still tight, the hydraulic pump isn't making noise, and the tracks have decent life, you're looking at a good buy. Just be aware that repo machines sometimes sit for a while before auction, so you might need to change all fluids and filters as a precaution.

For $32k on a 2020 model, that's about 60% of retail value. Even if you drop $2-3k into it for service and minor repairs, you're still way ahead. Go for it, but definitely have someone knowledgeable look at it on delivery.

One thing nobody has mentioned yet - check if KJRepo offers any kind of buyer protection or arbitration. Some auction sites have a dispute resolution process if the machine arrives significantly different than described.

Also, make sure you understand the payment terms. Most of these sites require wire transfer or cashier's check within 24-48 hours of winning. No credit cards, no PayPal. So have your financing lined up before you bid.

I looked at a backhoe on there last month but didn't pull the trigger because the transport quote was $2,800 (from California to New York). Factor in all your costs - winning bid + buyer's premium + transport + any repairs - to make sure you're actually saving money.

I'll share my KJRepo experience from earlier this year. Bought a 2018 Bobcat E50 mini excavator for $28,900. Machine had 1,200 hours and was listed as "good condition with normal wear."

When it arrived, everything was as described except for one issue - the auxiliary hydraulics weren't working. Turned out to be a blown fuse, which cost me $15 to fix. But that two hours of panic thinking I had a major hydraulic problem was not fun.

Here's my advice: When the transport driver shows up, don't just do a visual walk-around. Actually START the machine and test every function. Swing it 360 degrees, cycle all the hydraulics, test the blade, drive it forward and back, check the tracks. The driver will wait 15-20 minutes for you to do this.

If you find a major issue that wasn't disclosed, document it thoroughly with photos and video BEFORE signing the delivery receipt. That's your only leverage for any kind of dispute later.

Overall though, I'm happy with my purchase. That E50 has been running strong for 8 months now with zero issues beyond normal maintenance.

As a heavy equipment mechanic, I want to add something important: GET A COMPRESSION TEST if possible, or at least listen to the engine carefully when it starts cold.

Repo equipment sometimes comes from operators who didn't maintain them properly - that's often why they went into default in the first place. Low compression, worn injectors, or a weak turbo can cost you $5-10k to fix on a mini excavator.

The good news is that Kubota engines are pretty tough. If the oil looks clean in the inspection photos and the hour meter reading seems reasonable for the year, you're probably okay. Just be cautious of machines with extremely low hours for their age - could indicate it sat for long periods, which brings its own problems.

Also, ask KJRepo if they have maintenance records from the previous owner. Sometimes the bank will provide them, sometimes they won't. But it's worth asking.

UPDATE: I WON THE AUCTION!

Just wanted to update everyone - I placed my bid yesterday and won the Kubota KX057-5 at $33,100 (a few people bid it up from the $32,500 starting price). Still an amazing deal compared to dealers.

I've already wired the payment this morning and KJRepo confirmed receipt. They're arranging transport now and said I should expect delivery within 7-10 days. The transport quote they gave me is $1,450 which seems reasonable for the distance.

I took everyone's advice and hired a local equipment mechanic to meet me when it arrives. He's charging me $150 for an hour of his time to do a full inspection before I sign off on delivery. Seems like cheap insurance.

I'll definitely post another update once it arrives and I've had a chance to run it. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly! Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences - this forum is awesome.