CAT 323 vs CAT 320D resale value in 2026

Medium excavators sit at the center of most contractor fleets. That makes Caterpillar excavator resale value one of the most important buying criteria, not a secondary concern.

Two of the most traded used Caterpillar excavators in auctions and export markets are the Caterpillar 323 vs Caterpillar 320D, and their resale value in 2026 is now separating sharply.

This article rewrites the comparison with no assumptions and no generic claims. 

Why consider resale value before buying an excavator

Resale value is not determined at the moment of sale. It is locked on the day you choose the model. In 2025, Makana auction data shows that buyers increasingly price heavy equipment based on three variables:

• Remaining regulatory lifespan.
• Productivity per operating hour.
• Liquidity across multiple buyer regions.

Medium excavators between 20 and 25 tons performed best because they balance output, transport cost, and operating expense. This is exactly where CAT 323 and CAT 320D compete.

Things to know before buying used Caterpillar 323

CAT 323, including variants like 323D3, represents Caterpillar’s newer medium excavator generation that sits above the 320 class without crossing into higher ownership complexity.

Key technical parameters affecting resale

• Operating weight: ~23 tons.
• Engine: Cat C7.1.
• Typical bucket capacity: up to 1.2 m³.
• Hydraulic output: higher flow and pressure than 320 class.

From a resale standpoint, these specs matter for one reason: the machine remains relevant to current infrastructure work without being oversized.

Detailed CAT 323 excavator specifications, including operating weight, engine output, hydraulic performance, and digging depth, are available in Makana’s technical research hub, featuring expert reviews, owner feedback, and side-by-side comparisons with similar Caterpillar models.

These figures can be cross-referenced with Caterpillar’s official data for Caterpillar 323 hydraulic excavator to verify performance and configuration details.

Browse used CAT 323 excavators for sale

What you need to know before buying Caterpillar 320D

The CAT 320D is older by design, but still has a good place in the market.

What keeps the 320D liquid

• Simple, proven mechanical platform.
• Global availability of parts and technicians.
• Lower entry price compared to newer models.

In 2025, CAT 320D units continued to sell steadily, especially in markets where emissions restrictions are limited. That explains why CAT 320D medium excavators still appear regularly in auctions and direct sales. However, stable demand does not always mean strong value retention.

Detailed CAT 320D excavator specifications, operating weight, engine data, hydraulic output, and side-by-side model comparisons are available in Makana’s technical research hub, including expert analysis and verified machine data.

The numbers are in line with with Caterpillar’s official data for Caterpillar 320 hydraulic excavator to verify configuration details.

CAT 323 vs CAT 320D: resale-critical differences

Before discussing prices, it is important to isolate what actually changes buyer behavior.

These differences explain why auction bidding diverges even when machines show similar hours.

What 2025 auction behavior actually shows

Across Makana heavy machines auctions in 2025, medium excavators followed a consistent pattern:

• Newer-generation machines achieved faster sell-through.
• Price gaps narrowed when inspection data was transparent.
• Buyers bid more aggressively on models with longer regulatory life.

This pattern is documented clearly in auction results for used excavators, especially when comparing similar hour ranges across different generations. Makana’s analysis in Not all machine hours are equal: Here’s proof explains why buyers no longer price machines by hours alone.

CAT 323 vs CAT 320D: resale outlook for 2026

Based on 2025 auction performance, inspection-backed sales, and regulatory trends:

• CAT 323 is more likely to hold value into 2026 due to generation relevance and buyer reach.
• CAT 320D remains sellable but increasingly market-specific.

Buyers planning to exit their machine within two to four years will generally preserve more value with CAT 323, assuming comparable condition.

For buyers tracking real transaction behavior rather than list prices, Makana.com provides inspection-backed listings and auction results that reduce resale uncertainty.

FAQs

• Is CAT 320D still a good excavator to buy for resale?

Yes, CAT 320D is still a good resale machine in markets with relaxed emissions regulations and strong demand for simple mechanical platforms. However, its resale value is more region-dependent than CAT 323, which has broader international buyer appeal.

• How do machine hours affect CAT 323 vs CAT 320D resale value?

Machine hours matter, but model generation matters more. A higher-hour CAT 323 often resells better than a lower-hour CAT 320D because buyers focus on remaining lifecycle, emissions compliance, and hydraulic efficiency rather than raw hour count.

• Which is better for export, CAT 323 or CAT 320D?

For export markets in 2026, CAT 323 excavators are easier to resell because they meet newer emissions standards and remain eligible for more regulated countries. CAT 320D exports remain strong but are increasingly limited to specific regions.

• Should I choose CAT 323 or CAT 320D if I plan to resell in 3–5 years?

If resale value is a priority, CAT 323 is the safer choice. Its newer platform, stronger auction demand, and longer regulatory runway mean buyers can recover a higher percentage of their investment when selling later.