CAT 320
This is an independent buyer guide. MachineryAssistant has no affiliation with Caterpillar Inc. Specifications are indicative — verify against manufacturer documentation before purchase.
The CAT 320 is the most traded 20t excavator in the European used market. Deep stock across Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain means more competition between sellers — and more room to negotiate.
D-series machines (pre-2014) avoid complex emissions systems entirely. If your workshop is comfortable with Tier 3 engines, a clean D-series with mid-range hours can be a strong option.
F-series and Next Gen machines have DPF and DEF systems. These are not a reason to avoid them — but the condition of these systems is a meaningful purchase risk that requires specific checks.
Always verify the model plate before agreeing a price: CAT 320 and CAT 320 GC are not the same machine. See the warning section below.
Which CAT 320 are you looking at?
Each generation has a distinct emissions system, feature set, and risk profile. Click to expand.
CAT 320D / 320D22007–2015Tier 3 / Tier 4 Interim — the workhorse generation
The most widely available generation in the European used market. The original 320D (2007–2012) runs a Tier 3 C6.4 engine with no DPF — straightforward to diagnose and maintain. This makes D-series machines attractive for buyers whose workshops prefer simpler emissions systems.
The 320D2 (2012–2015) introduced Tier 4 Interim compliance with EGR. Some D2 units have DPF; check the specific emissions configuration before purchase. High-hour machines (8,000–12,000 hrs) are common in this generation — undercarriage condition and upper structure welds are the primary value drivers.
CAT 320E2012–2015 (selected markets)Tier 4 Interim — transitional generation
The E-series was not uniformly deployed across Europe. In many markets the D/D2 lineage ran without a distinct 'E' designation. Some E-series units have DPF systems; others use EGR only. Emissions configuration varies by country of original registration — establish exactly what hardware is fitted before purchase.
The price gap between a clean E-series and a Next Gen machine is often narrow enough that the comparison is worth running carefully. The E-series offers no meaningful advantage over the D2 and has higher emissions complexity than the D.
CAT 320F / 320FL2014–2016Tier 4 Final — improved cab, better hydraulics
A meaningful upgrade over the D-series in cab comfort and fuel efficiency. The FL (long undercarriage) variant is preferred for soft-ground work and lifting-intensive applications and trades at a modest premium over the standard F.
Full DPF + DEF (AdBlue) system — condition of these systems is the main purchase risk. If a Cat ET diagnostic readout is available, use it to check DPF regeneration frequency and active fault codes. A clean F-series with documented DPF service is a strong option against the Next Gen at the right price.
CAT 320 Next Gen / 320-072017–presentPlatform redesign — technology, efficiency, connectivity
A complete platform redesign. The new cab is a significant step forward in operator environment. E-fence and grade control are option-ready from the factory — check whether these are fitted and whether any grade control subscriptions are active or have lapsed.
Higher electronics complexity is the main risk — ensure the touchscreen display, all sensors, and CAT Product Link telematics are functioning. This generation commands a resale premium and holds value better than predecessors.
CAT 320 GC2017–present (parallel variant)Cost-reduced build — see the warning block below before buying
The GC is a simplified, cost-reduced variant of the Next Gen platform. It carries the same '320' nameplate but is a different machine — fewer standard features, simpler hydraulic system, no grade control readiness, and lower output in some configurations.
At a lower price point, the GC can be appropriate for lower-intensity or single-task applications. Do not pay Next Gen prices for a GC. Always verify the full model number from the machine's serial plate — not the listing title — before agreeing a price.
The GC suffix indicates a simplified, cost-reduced build. A listing titled "CAT 320" could be either the full-spec Next Gen or the GC variant — sellers do not always specify, and the listing title alone is not sufficient to tell them apart.
The GC lacks grade control readiness, has a simpler hydraulic system, and has lower standard feature content. At the same asking price, you are not getting the same machine.
Before agreeing a price or arranging transport: request the full model number from the machine's serial plate — not the listing title, not the seller's description. GC models typically trade 10–20% below the equivalent full-spec Next Gen.
Where the 320 sits
The CAT 320 is a 20-tonne class excavator — the most common size class for general construction, earthworks, and infrastructure work across Europe.
CAT 320 inspection checklist
Take this list to the machine or send it to your pre-purchase inspector. Items are ordered by impact on value and risk.
Undercarriage — measure track pad thickness, sprocket wear, idler condition, and link pitch; request a formal undercarriage quote as negotiating data
Boom and stick pins — check for lateral play (>2 mm warrants attention); inspect all grease points for function
Hydraulic hoses — inspect near boom pivot, boom foot, and quick coupler connections for chafing or weeping
Bucket teeth and side cutters — heavy wear indicates recent hard-material work; factor in replacement cost
Engine bay — oil leaks at head area, coolant colour and level, air filter condition, belts
DPF / DEF system (F-series and Next Gen) — active warning lights; ask for regeneration frequency history
Swing ring and motor — listen under swing for roughness or hesitation; inspect ring gear oil seal for leaks
Cab — seat wear, HVAC function, all display screens operational, joystick pattern matches your operators
Service history — oil and filter change intervals; request Cat ET diagnostic readout if the seller can arrange it
Model plate — confirm full model number including any suffix (GC, L, FL, D2) from the plate, not the listing title
ECM hours — cross-reference display hours with ECM reading via Cat ET if access is available
Quick coupler — check pin and lock mechanism, hose connections, coupler function with a bucket cycle
Observed asking-price range
Asking-price benchmarking for the CAT 320-family, drawn from active European comparable listings at time of our most recent report. These are observed asking prices from public sources — not transaction prices and not a valuation.
Hours, emissions configuration, spec level, and country of origin all affect where an individual machine sits within this range. Listings change daily — verify current availability before acting on any analysis.
Equivalent competitors
These are the machines most commonly compared against the CAT 320 in the European used market. Comparing asking prices across brands in the same age and hours band is a useful check on whether any given CAT 320 is priced competitively.
CAT 320 asking-price analysis
Daily Bulletin reports apply this guide's inspection framework to specific machines on the market. The first published CAT 320 report is below.
Take a checklist to the machine
The pre-purchase checklist covers the inspection items above in printable format. Subscribe to receive the Daily Bulletin — new asking-price benchmarking reports as standout listings are identified.
MachineryAssistant is independent — no affiliation with Caterpillar, any equipment dealer, marketplace, or auction house. Asking-price analysis in our reports uses a documented benchmarking methodology; read how active comparable listings are selected, filtered, and interpreted at /methodology.