What Is Guaranteed by a Cat® Certified Inspection?

Buyers of used equipment often encounter risks such as hidden defects, unexpected repairs and costly downtime. Machines sold “as-is” leave owners fully responsible for problems that visual inspections may not reveal, such as internal wear or contamination tied to poor maintenance.

A Cat^® certified inspection reduces these risks before purchase. It follows a Caterpillar-approved process that documents machine condition against defined benchmarks before the piece of equipment reaches the jobsite. Warranty coverage applies only when the equipment meets the inspection and additional requirements. These include age and hours-used limits, necessary repairs completed with approved parts, formal enrollment as Cat Certified Used by a dealer and documented verification.

What Is a Cat Certified Inspection?

A Cat certified inspection is a comprehensive, multipoint evaluation performed on used Cat equipment. It confirms whether the machine meets Caterpillar quality benchmarks before resale. The inspection includes 140-point checks covering the entire machine, including pivotal systems such as the engine, transmission, hydraulics and undercarriage.

Each machine then receives a condition rating based on Cat inspection standards.

• Good: These parts show expected use for the machine’s age and hours and are suitable for continued operation.
• Fair: Doesn’t need replacement, but requires replacement before sale.
• Poor: You must replace the components with genuine Cat parts before the machine can qualify as Cat Certified Used. Machines with unresolved, poorly rated components do not pass certification.

What Does a Cat Certified Inspection Include?

The inspection includes eligibility screening, followed by a mechanical and visual audit and performance testing.

Eligibility Screening

Machines up to 5 years old with low operating hours qualify for the inspection process. These conditions verify that the equipment is relatively new and has not undergone excessive wear and tear. Eligibility criteria can vary by dealer, but they generally include the following.

• Age: No more than 5 years old.
• Operating hours: Must fall within program-defined limits based on equipment category.
• Service history: Complete and documented maintenance history, with all recent service performed using genuine Cat parts.
• Component life: At least 50% remaining life on undercarriage or tires with ground-engaging tools in “near-new” condition. 

140-Plus-Point Visual and Mechanical Audit

Technicians conduct a comprehensive audit of over 140 visual and mechanical checkpoints across the machine. The review documents the condition, identifies wear or defects and records results against Cat inspection standards.

Here’s what experts check during an inspection.

• Engine inspection: They examine the engine block for cracks, oil leaks and abnormal wear and ensure fuel injectors, sensors, gaskets and cooling systems are in good condition.
• Transmission and drive train: They check transmission fluid, gears, clutches and driveline components for damage and irregular wear patterns.
• Hydraulics: They evaluate pumps, hoses, cylinders and hydraulic fluid for leaks, contamination and visible deterioration.
• Structural components: Technicians inspect the frame, lift arms and attachments for fractures, stress indicators and surface wear.
• Electrical systems: They look for corrosion and other damage to the wiring, connections, electronic components, the battery and the charging system.
• Cab and controls: They check the cab structure, seating, operating controls, displays and safety features are for damage, wear and proper response.
• Undercarriage: They assess track tension, rollers, sprockets and pads for wear levels, alignment and overall condition.

Operational Performance Testing

Each piece of equipment undergoes field testing to verify it meets Caterpillar factory performance standards. 

• Power output: Confirming that the engine produces the rated horsepower and torque and ensuring proper transmission of power from the engine to the wheels or tracks.
• Cycle times: Testing load cycles to ensure the machines’ lifting, dumping and handling operations meet performance standards under working conditions.
• Braking and responsiveness: Testing the braking system under load and assessing the hydraulic and drive systems for responsiveness to operator inputs.

Scheduled Oil Sampling  

Scheduled oil sampling analyzes fluids such as engine oil, hydraulics, transmission, final drives, coolant and fuel. It detects internal conditions that visual inspections may not identify.

Dealers may recommend or include S.O.S. testing as part of an inspection or maintenance program. It’s not automatically part of every certified inspection unless specified.

S.O.S. reports use color-coded severity indicators and offer maintenance guidance. These results can identify various concerns.

• Internal metal wear: Identifying iron, copper and chrome that aren’t visible during visual inspection.
• Fluid contamination: Verifying coolant intrusion, fuel dilution or moisture presence.
• Service history: Using oil condition to indicate maintenance consistency over time.
• Developing issues: Spotting early signs of component wear.

What You Gain From a Cat Certified Inspection

If the detailed inspection verifies that the equipment meets the Cat Certified Used requirements, you’ll receive formal documentation that records the inspected condition, certification status and coverage terms.

These guarantees cover you in several ways.

• Defined coverage scope: Protection applies specifically to covered powertrain and hydraulic components identified in the Equipment Protection Plan, with coverage limits.
• Dealer-backed claims access: Participating Cat dealers handle covered repairs, providing standardized claim processing and service support.
• Predictable repair costs: You can have covered failures repaired without out-of-pocket deductible expenses for parts or labor, as defined by the applicable plan terms.
• Resale continuity: You may transfer the remaining coverage and certification documentation to a subsequent owner during the coverage period, subject to program requirements and approval.

Certified vs. Used — Why the Difference Matters

Cat Certified Used equipment reduces ownership risk through documented inspections and targeted repairs when needed. The equipment may qualify for dealer financing and is often easier to resell than noncertified used machines.

Other benefits of Cat Certified Used equipment include the following.

• Risk mitigation: Buyers rely on documented inspection results and completed repairs rather than assumptions at the time of purchase. 
• Financing advantages: Certification can make financing options available that aren’t available for noncertified used equipment.
• Resale confidence: Inspection records and remaining coverage promote buyer confidence when reselling.
• Faster deployment: Machines enter service with fewer delays compared with auction purchases or basic used inventory.

Are Cat Certified Inspections Worth It?

Cat certified inspections are beneficial when the cost of uncertainty outweighs the price difference between certified and noncertified equipment. They let you make choices based on documented machine conditions instead of assumptions. In situations where downtime, repair or deployment risk matters, that added certainty often justifies the cost.

Here’s why a Cat certified inspection saves you time and money.

• Total cost of ownership analysis: If the price gap is lower than the cost of one major component repair, you’ll recover the inspection cost through the first avoided failure.
• Unplanned downtime costs: When a week of lost production exceeds the inspection premium, a single prevented breakdown justifies the extra expense.
• Peace of mind: You can immediately deploy the machine to a jobsite — the documented inspection results will confirm its condition before work begins.

Find Certified Used Cat Equipment at Gregory Poole Equipment Company

Used Cat equipment that lacks certification carries unknowns that often arise only after you put the machine to work. Internal wear, deferred maintenance and unverified repairs increase the risk of downtime and unexpected costs.

A Cat certified inspection gives you a comprehensive understanding of the machine’s condition before making a purchase. The 140-point check, backed by warranty coverage, ensures that you’re investing in reliable equipment with minimized risk. This proactive approach lets you avoid the uncertainty of noncertified machines, offering confidence on every job.

Gregory Poole has over 70 years of experience as an authorized Cat dealer, serving contractors across Eastern North Carolina. We offer new, used and rental equipment that’s ready for immediate deployment to any jobsite.

Contact us today to explore your equipment options, schedule an inspection or discuss your equipment parts needs.