Why Buying Used OEM Excavator Parts Can Save You a Fortune (Without Sacrificing Quality)
- RALPH COPE
- 38 minutes ago
- 5 min read
When you're in the excavator business — whether running a single machine or managing a fleet — every breakdown is a ticking clock burning a hole in your wallet. Repairs are inevitable. The real question is: how do you fix your machine without bankrupting yourself?
If you're buying brand-new OEM parts every time something breaks, you already know it’s painful. On the flip side, if you're gambling on cheap aftermarket parts, you might be setting yourself up for an even bigger disaster down the line.
There's a better way: used OEM excavator parts.
In this guide, we’re going to break down exactly how buying used OEM parts can save you serious money — without sacrificing an ounce of quality — and why smart operators across South Africa trust Vikfin to keep their machines moving.
The High Cost of “New”
Let’s start by calling it like it is: New OEM parts are expensive.
We’re talking 2x, 3x, sometimes even 4x the price of used options — especially when it comes to big-ticket items like hydraulic pumps, engines, swing motors, final drives, or control valves.
Sure, they come in a shiny box, fresh from the factory. But here’s the thing: for most heavy machinery, you’re not paying for "new." You’re paying for "unnecessary."
Excavators are built tough. Really tough. A good OEM part can last thousands — even tens of thousands — of hours. Most of the time, when a machine is scrapped or sold for parts, it’s not because the parts are worn out. It’s because of an accident, a project ending, or an upgrade.
That means there are used parts out there with plenty of life left in them — and at a fraction of the cost.
Imagine needing a replacement boom cylinder that costs R70,000 new from the dealership. You find a used OEM cylinder at Vikfin in excellent condition for R5,000. That’s R65,000 saved — money that stays in your business instead of bleeding out.
Multiply that across multiple repairs in a year, and suddenly you’re not just surviving — you’re thriving.
The Reliability of OEM vs. Aftermarket
Let’s be clear: not all parts are created equal.
When you buy a genuine OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) part — whether new or used — you're getting:
Exact specifications (no weird fittings or modifications needed)
Proven durability under harsh conditions
The same engineering your machine was designed around
Aftermarket parts, on the other hand? It’s a roll of the dice.
Some aftermarket manufacturers do a decent job. Many don’t. You might save a few bucks upfront, but you’re gambling with the health of your entire machine. Poor fitment, cheaper materials, and inconsistent quality control can lead to:
Faster wear and tear
Performance issues
Expensive secondary failures (like a cheap seal blowing and wrecking your entire hydraulic system)
And don’t even get us started on warranty headaches.
Bottom line:Used OEM > New Aftermarket. Every. Single. Time.
You're better off buying a used original part that was designed to last — instead of a brand-new copycat that might fail when you need it most.
Breaking Down the True Cost Savings
When you compare new OEM to used OEM side by side, the savings are massive — but it’s not just the upfront price tag.
Here’s the full breakdown:
Factor | New OEM Part | Used OEM Part |
Initial Cost | R50,000 | R15,000 |
Lead Time | Weeks (sometimes backordered) | Immediate availability |
Machine Downtime | High (waiting for delivery) | Low (fast replacement) |
Installation | Guaranteed fit | Guaranteed fit |
Life Expectancy | Full lifespan | 70-90% of lifespan left |
Overall Risk | Low | Low (if inspected and tested properly) |
Cash Flow Impact | Heavy | Light |
When your machine is down, you're losing thousands per day in lost production. Getting the right used OEM part fast means less downtime, less lost income, and way less financial stress.
Saving on the part + saving on downtime = serious compound savings.
Why Smart Buyers in South Africa Choose Vikfin
If buying used OEM parts is the smart move, the next question is: where the hell do you find parts you can trust?
This is where Vikfin comes in.
We aren’t some fly-by-night operation flogging parts out of a shipping container. We’re South Africa’s go-to source for quality used OEM excavator parts, and we’ve earned that reputation by doing things right.
Here’s why customers keep coming back to Vikfin:
1. Massive Range of Stock
We stock thousands of parts across the top brands — Caterpillar, Hitachi, Komatsu, Doosan, Hyundai, Volvo, Sumitomo, and more.Looking for a hydraulic pump for a Cat 320D? We probably have three ready to ship.
2. Rigorous Quality Checks
Every part that comes through our yard gets inspected, tested, and cleaned before it ever gets listed for sale.We know the difference between “good used” and “junk,” and we don’t sell junk. Full stop.
3. Expert Advice
Not sure exactly what you need? Our team actually knows excavators inside out. We help you get the right part the first time — no guessing, no finger-pointing.
4. Competitive Pricing
We price aggressively because we believe everyone deserves access to quality parts — not just big mining companies or construction giants.
5. Fast Shipping Nationwide
Whether you’re in Gauteng, the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, or out in the Northern Cape bush, we’ll get your part to you fast. Because we know downtime kills.
Common Myths About Buying Used OEM Excavator Parts (Busted)
Myth 1: Used parts are unreliable.→ Only if you buy from dodgy sellers. A properly tested used OEM part is as dependable as they come.
Myth 2: You can't get a warranty on used parts.→ At Vikfin, we offer warranties on selected parts because we stand behind our gear.
Myth 3: Used parts won’t last.→ Many OEM parts have insane lifespans. A used final drive with 5,000 hours could still have 10,000+ hours of work left in it.
Myth 4: It's better to just buy cheap aftermarket.→ Short-term thinking kills businesses. A single bad aftermarket part can cost you the price of five used OEM parts.
What Parts Are Best to Buy Used?
Not every part needs to be new. Some parts are perfect candidates for used purchases.Here are some of the smartest parts to buy used:
Hydraulic pumps
Final drives
Swing motors
Boom & arm cylinders
Engines
Travel motors
Undercarriage components (like track groups, rollers, idlers — if still within spec)
Control valves
High-wear parts like seals, hoses, or filters? Those you generally want new. But the big-ticket components? Used OEM is the gold mine.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Be an Idiot — Buy Smart
If you're still buying new OEM parts every time something breaks — or worse, rolling the dice on cheap aftermarket — you're bleeding money.
Used OEM excavator parts are the smart, proven, financially savvy choice for serious operators who want maximum machine uptime without torching their cash flow.
And if you’re serious about getting the right part, right now, without the usual headaches? Vikfin is the name you can trust.
Save your cash. Save your sanity. Keep your machines running like beasts.
👉 Contact Vikfin today and let’s get you back to work.
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