Third-Party Inspection on a 2019 CAT 320GC: What the Report Should Cover
On a $25,500 machine, an inspection is cheap insurance. But an inspection is only as good as its scope. A report that says “machine starts and runs” is not enough. This is the scope I would put in writing for stock exy-cate320gc-013, a 2019 CAT 320GC with 8,500 hours, Grade B, at $25,500 FOB: a third party inspection CAT 320GC buyers can act on.
What a third party inspection CAT 320GC report should prove
A useful report answers four questions: does the machine start and operate, what is worn, what has been repaired, and what is likely to fail soon. If the report does not answer those, it is a viewing, not an inspection.
Ask for the inspector’s scope in writing before the visit. A one-page checklist with named tests is better than a vague promise to check everything.
The scope I would request
| Area | What to check | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Cold start, smoke, blow-by, idle | Video and notes |
| Hydraulics | Boom, arm, bucket, travel; leaks and drift | Cycle video and photos |
| Undercarriage | Shoes, links, rollers, idlers, sprockets | Close-up photos and wear estimate |
| Structure | Boom, arm, frame, counterweight | Photos and notes on cracks/welds |
| Pins/bushes | Bucket, arm and boom play | Photos and notes |
| Cab/electronics | Monitor, warnings, joysticks | Start-up video |
Measurements, not adjectives
“Undercarriage 60%” is an opinion. A number with a method attached is evidence. Ask the inspector to record link height, bushing diameter, roller and idler diameter, sprocket tooth height and track sag in millimetres. For pins and bushes, ask for play measured with a dial gauge or feeler rather than “some play”. For hydraulics, ask for cylinder drift in millimetres per minute with the machine warm. For the engine, ask for ambient temperature at cold start, time to clean exhaust, blow-by and oil pressure at idle.
A report built this way can be compared with the parts book and with a second unit.
| Item | Record this | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Track link height | mm at three links per side | Shows remaining undercarriage life |
| Cylinder drift | mm per minute, warm | Separates a worn seal from a worn valve |
| Blow-by | Video at the filler cap | Hard to describe, easy to see |
| Repairs | Photo with an age estimate | Old repair versus fresh cover-up |
Booking the visit: the sequence that works
- Agree the scope and the report format in writing.
- Give the inspector the stock number, the yard address and the serial plate location, so the report is tied to the unit.
- Ask for the machine to be cold when the inspector arrives. A warm start hides a cold-start fault.
- Allow two to three hours: a cold start, a hydraulic cycle, a travel test and undercarriage photos.
- Ask for photos named by stock number and item, not “IMG_2231”.
This is a pre shipment inspection in China, arranged before the balance, not after arrival. If the unit is not reachable, the fallback is a live video walkaround plus a recorded cycle. That is weaker than a site visit, but stronger than a photo set chosen by the seller.
What the report cannot prove
A used CAT 320GC inspection is a snapshot. It cannot prove the total hour history, the maintenance history or how the machine was treated before the visit. It can identify current condition and obvious repairs. It cannot guarantee the machine will not fail next month.
That is why the report should separate facts (“the left track roller is worn”) from opinions (“the undercarriage is about 60% worn”) and from unknowns (“no service records were provided”).
Red flags in a report
- No cold-start evidence.
- No undercarriage photos.
- “Cannot verify” on too many major items.
- Repairs described but not photographed.
- Report not tied to the stock number.
None of these is automatically a rejection. They are reasons to ask more questions before you pay.
Who pays, and who appoints?
The buyer usually pays for the inspection and appoints the inspector. That keeps the report independent. The seller can facilitate access to the yard, but should not choose the inspector or edit the report.
If the seller offers “their” inspection, treat it as a seller’s report, not a third-party report. It can still be useful, but it is not the same evidence.
How to use the report in negotiation
Use the findings, not adjectives. “The left track roller is worn and the bucket pins have play” is a basis for a price adjustment. “The machine is Grade B” is not. Ask for the repair estimate behind each finding, then decide whether to renegotiate, repair in China or walk away.
Put the agreed remedy in the sales contract: a price adjustment, a repair before loading, or a deposit refund.
Questions buyers ask
Can I arrange my own inspector?
Yes. You can appoint an inspector in China, or ask us to arrange a third-party visit and send the report. The scope should be agreed before the visit.
Does the report cover the engine and hydraulics?
Only if you ask for them. A basic viewing may not include a cold-start cycle or a hydraulic test. Put the scope in writing.
Is a third party inspection CAT 320GC report a warranty?
No. It is a condition snapshot taken on one day. It does not replace a warranty, a maintenance history or a pre-loading re-check.
Ask for a scope, not just a visit.
Request the inspection scope, the cold-start video and the undercarriage photos for exy-cate320gc-013. We will confirm availability and the current price on WhatsApp.