Used vs refurbished vs reconditioned

The three words are used loosely, so ask what was done

Used, refurbished and reconditioned are not standardised terms. They describe a seller's claim about the machine instead of a measured condition, so the words alone tell a buyer almost nothing.

Used

Used normally means the machine is sold as it stands, with its own hours and condition reported. That is the clearest of the three, because nothing is implied about repair work.

Refurbished

Refurbished usually means some parts have been replaced or repaired and the machine has been cleaned and painted. It says nothing about which parts, so ask for the list and the invoices.

Reconditioned

Reconditioned is often used to mean a larger programme of work, sometimes to a workshop standard. It is the term most worth questioning: ask what was inspected, what was replaced, and who did the work.

What to rely on instead of the label

Ask for cold-start video, working video under load, undercarriage measurements, the machine plate, and a disclosure of anything that could not be tested. Repainting hides wear, so judge the machine on evidence rather than the word used to describe it.