The used motor grader market has been busy in the first half of 2025, but it is not the seller market it was in the 2022-2023 crunch. Although there is still a strong demand for good late-model machines, increasing inventories and changing global trends have begun to provide buyers with some bargaining power. Whether it is regional supply changes to macroeconomic headwinds, here is a breakdown of what has been going on in the world of used motor grader sales.
A Balanced Global Market with Slight Price Corrections
As of mid-2025, the average price of used motor graders, particularly late-model ones, has not continued to increase. In the U.S., as an example, the prices reached their peak of about $224,000 in late 2023, but have since stabilized a little bit. Auction sites such as Ritchie Bros. and online marketplaces such as MachineryTrader are listing more equipment currently, and buyers are finding more to choose from than they were a year ago.
- The cost and lead times of new equipment remain high and continue to drive buyers to used machines.
- Nevertheless, more listings imply more bargaining power on the part of buyers.
- The best machines continue to command high prices, particularly low-hour Cat and Deere machines.
Regional Insights: Who’s Buying What (and Where)
North America
The U.S. market has cooled somewhat, with financed used grader sales down 10% year-over-year. Caterpillar leads the market, accounting for 47% of financed sales, followed by John Deere. While Texas and the Southwest still show strong demand, stabilized prices and inventory growth favor buyers more than during the recent boom.
Europe
Used grader demand in Europe has slumped due to inflation, high interest rates, and project delays. Construction activity is especially weak in the private sector, though public infrastructure projects could support a rebound in the second half of 2025. Inventories are up, and prices are down, particularly for older models.
Asia-Pacific
The APAC continues to generate robust demand due to infrastructure development. Grade sales are stable in India and Southeast Asia as governments embark on road programs. But the increase in interest rates in India is beginning to dampen activity. Mid-size Cat and Komatsu graders are still favored by buyers here.
Latin America
This region has a stable demand associated with mining and roadworks. Brazil is in the lead with highway and dam projects; Chile and Argentina are gradually increasing the tempo of public works. Nevertheless, the economic instability and currency problems have caused the buyers to be wary, and thus, the majority of them want to buy affordable second-hand machines.
Africa
The used motor grader market in Africa is not large, but essential. The demand is driven by mining and road construction in such countries as South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, and Kenya. Nevertheless, purchases are usually postponed by insufficient funding and currency fluctuations. This is a supply-constrained market with good used units being snapped up fast.
What’s Fueling Demand for Used Graders?
The key sectors driving used motor grader demand are fairly consistent across regions, though their scale and significance vary.
- Road Construction & Maintenance: Still the #1 sector globally, with ongoing investment in public roads, rural infrastructure, and city upgrades.
- Mining: High-spec, high-horsepower machines are used for clearing and maintaining haul roads.
- Landfills & Waste: A small but steady niche where durability matters more than age.
- Other Sectors: Includes agriculture, airport grading, and utility work, collectively forming a small share of total demand.
Popular Brands and Models in 2025
Certain names dominate the global used grader scene, and that hasn’t changed in 2025.
- Caterpillar: Still the market leader globally. The 140M, 140H, and 150M3 are top performers. A 2020 Cat 150M3 with under 400 hours sold for $520K earlier this year.
- John Deere: The 772G and 672G lead Deere’s offerings. Deere machines are favored for operator comfort and continue to perform well at auction.
- Volvo: Popular in Europe and parts of Asia, Volvo’s G940 and G990 models are known for efficiency and durability.
- Komatsu & Others: Komatsu’s GD655 series is prevalent in mining and Asian markets. Chinese and Indian brands like SANY and BEML also have a regional presence.
Economic and Policy Challenges Influencing the Market
A number of macro factors are keeping the market at bay, despite infrastructure spending supporting demand.
- Inflation and Interest Rates: High interest rates ensure that financing is costly. Customers are wary, and most wait to see prices fall.
- Tariffs & Currency Fluctuations: Trade tensions and mutually imposed tariffs increase the cost of imports. Buying power around the world is influenced by currency strength (particularly USD).
- Supply Chains & Lead Times: Delays persist on some critical parts (such as hydraulic components and chips), which is encouraging contractors to look at used units.
- Labor Shortages: As the number of available operators decreases, buyers are paying attention to the comfort of machines and telematics capabilities to increase efficiency.
- Regulatory Changes: Emissions regulations are becoming stricter. Newer units would not comply with new regulations, and this would drive the public projects towards new equipment.
Where the Market Might Be Headed
In the future, the used motor grader market will remain relatively steady until the end of 2025. Demand might increase once more in case macroeconomic conditions improve, e.g., declining interest rates or growing government spending. It is a tentative environment now, however. Buyers will be in a stronger position than in 2023, although sellers will have to remain flexible.
FAQs
Q1. Why are the prices of used motor graders still high in 2025?
A: The cost of new equipment is still high, and the lead times are long. Hence, many buyers resort to the used market. Late-model, low-hour graders, particularly Cat and Deere, are in demand, and prices remain high.
Q2. What are the most active countries in purchasing used graders at present?
A: India, Brazil, the U.S. (particularly the Southwest), and sections of Africa, such as South Africa and Nigeria, are active purchasers. The major driver in these regions is the infrastructure projects.
Q3. Which are the most demanded models of motor graders in the world?
A: The best models are Caterpillar 140M and 150M3, John Deere 772G and 672G, and Volvo G940. They are popular due to their longevity, comfort, and resale.
Q4. Should I buy a used grader in 2025?
A: Yes, when you want choices and competitive prices. Stock is high, auction is stable, and buyers now have more bargaining power as compared to previous years.
