The evidence rule
A listing can be useful without being complete. The job is to separate four things:
- Observed: visible in a photograph, video, document, or inspection.
- Reported: stated by the seller, broker, service provider, or other source.
- Inferred: a reasonable conclusion that still requires confirmation.
- Unknown: not established by the available evidence.
Do not convert “reported” into “verified” merely because it appears in a polished listing.
1. Identity
| Evidence | Received | Verified | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Model | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Serial number | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Year | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Nameplate photograph | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Control manufacturer and generation | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Original build or option sheet | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Current physical location | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Legal seller or authorized representative | ☐ | ☐ |
Questions
- Does the nameplate match the written listing?
- Does the serial number appear consistently across documents?
- Is the listed year a manufacturing year, installation year, or estimate?
- Is the seller the owner, broker, auctioneer, or another representative?
Research values by manufacturer, model, and year in the MBB Machine Value Center.
2. Configuration
| Evidence | Shown | Reported | Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis travels | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Spindle speed and power | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Table, chuck, or work envelope | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Tool capacity and taper | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Through-spindle coolant | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Probing or tool setter | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Chip conveyor or auger | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| High-pressure coolant | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Fourth or fifth axis | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Bar feeder, subspindle, live tooling, or automation | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Transformer | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Included tooling and workholding | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Manuals, software, parameters, and backups | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
Ask for a written included-items list. If an item matters to the price or intended process, do not rely on it merely appearing in a photograph.
3. Condition
Visual evidence
- ☐ All sides of the machine
- ☐ Work area
- ☐ Table, chuck, spindle, turret, or cutting zone
- ☐ Toolchanger or magazine
- ☐ Control and powered display
- ☐ Electrical cabinet
- ☐ Hydraulic and lubrication areas
- ☐ Chip conveyor and coolant system
- ☐ Known damaged, repaired, or missing components
- ☐ Floor around the machine for visible leaks
Operating evidence
- ☐ Cold startup
- ☐ Axis movement
- ☐ Spindle operation across a reasonable range
- ☐ Tool change or turret index
- ☐ Included automation operation
- ☐ Alarm and diagnostic screen
- ☐ Test cut or process demonstration
- ☐ Geometry, calibration, or inspection result where relevant
History
- ☐ Current hours or cycle count with explanation of the counter
- ☐ Maintenance records
- ☐ Service invoices
- ☐ Major repair history
- ☐ Crash or collision history as reported
- ☐ Spindle, ballscrew, guideway, control, or drive replacement history
- ☐ Current known faults
- ☐ Reason for sale
“Under power” establishes that power is available. It does not by itself establish geometry, accuracy, repeatability, spindle condition, or fitness for a buyer's process.
4. Availability and control of the transaction
- Who physically possesses the machine?
- Who owns it?
- Who is authorized to sell it?
- Is it subject to a lien, lease, financing arrangement, bankruptcy, auction, or other claim?
- Is it still in production?
- When can it be inspected?
- When must it be removed?
- What happens if removal is delayed?
- Is loading included?
- Is the machine being marketed by more than one party?
- Which listing is the current source of truth?
MBB does not establish availability merely by displaying or linking to a listing. Contact the actual seller or authorized representative and verify current status.
5. Commercial terms
Obtain the transaction terms in writing.
- Asking price:
- Negotiated price:
- Deposit:
- Payment method:
- Payment timing:
- Inspection right:
- Acceptance or rejection process:
- Included items:
- Excluded items:
- Taxes:
- Buyer's premium or transaction fee:
- Loading:
- Freight:
- Rigging:
- Removal deadline:
- Storage or delay charges:
- Warranty or “as-is, where-is” language:
- Governing contract:
Read the contract. If a problem or material uncertainty exists, consult qualified counsel before proceeding.
Use the purchase-agreement and due-diligence guide and used-machine problems guide.
6. Logistics and installed cost
- Machine shipping dimensions:
- Machine shipping weight:
- Center of gravity or lift points:
- Blocking and bracing requirements:
- Loading responsibility:
- Carrier type:
- Permit requirements:
- Destination access:
- Unloading and placement:
- Foundation work:
- Electrical work:
- Utilities:
- Installation:
- Startup and calibration:
- Tooling and workholding:
- Training:
- Contingency:
The cheapest asking price may not produce the lowest installed cost.
Use the machine readiness worksheet and total installed cost guide.
7. Evidence summary
Established
Reported but not independently verified
Material unknowns
Conditions required before purchase
Decision
- ☐ Proceed to inspection
- ☐ Request more evidence
- ☐ Revise price or terms
- ☐ Hold
- ☐ Decline
For sellers
A credible listing reduces avoidable uncertainty. Include:
- Exact identity
- Current photographs
- Current operating video
- Written option and included-item list
- Known-condition disclosure
- Service history
- Inspection availability
- Removal conditions
- A direct route to the authorized seller
Good evidence does not guarantee a sale. It gives serious buyers something they can evaluate.
Independent-use notice
The Machine Blue Book is an independent educational and reference resource. It does not own, sell, broker, inspect, warrant, finance, transport, install, or guarantee machines merely because they are described or linked through the site. Verify identity, ownership, availability, condition, specifications, price, terms, and service requirements directly with the responsible parties and qualified professionals.
Continue your research: themachinebluebook.com