Refurbished, Ex-Demo & Grey-Import Medical Equipment (2026)
Refurbished medical equipment finance for medical clinic | Switchboard Finance
🩺 valuation risk · deposits ·
Whitecoat Hub · 2026
“We didn’t expect a deposit” usually means one thing: the lender applied a valuation haircut. Refurb, ex-demo, and grey-import gear can still be financeable — but the file needs more evidence so the lender can defend the value.
If you want the broader Whitecoat funding system first, start here: Asset Finance for Doctors. If you’re deciding between used vs new generally, read: Medical Equipment Finance Deposits + Tax. For device regulation context, tga.gov.au is a good reference point.
Helpful next reads: Medical Fitout Finance · Top Medical Devices Clinics Finance · Whitecoat Pack
- If the lender can’t verify value + support, they lower the value → your LVR jumps → a deposit is required to bring it back down.
- If you don’t fix the evidence gaps, the outcome is usually: bigger deposit, slower approval, or a decline (because the Approval Criteria can’t be met).
What counts as “higher risk” equipment in lender land
Lenders don’t hate refurb or ex-demo — they hate uncertainty. If the device’s true condition, warranty, supplier legitimacy, or resale market is unclear, they protect themselves by valuing it lower.
The trick is turning “unknown” into “documented”: clear model/serial details, condition notes, proof of refurb, and a quote that reads like a proper Asset Type purchase (not a Facebook Marketplace vibe).
- Grey import: unclear local support/warranty, unclear compliance pathway → higher perceived resale risk.
- Refurbished: “refurb” not defined (what was replaced, who did it, when).
- Ex-demo: usage/hours unknown, missing condition report, accessories not listed.
- Private seller: invoice is weak, no service history, no formal handover.
- Older model: limited parts availability → shorter Useful Life view → lower value.
Valuation haircuts + deposit triggers (what lenders are actually doing)
Think of it like this: the lender values the asset at “what they can recover” if something goes wrong — not what you paid. That’s why “cheap bargain” deals can still require a deposit if the risk profile is messy.
Your job is to show the device is a predictable Depreciating Asset with support, parts, and a clean paper trail. If you don’t, you’ll usually get one of three outcomes: valuation haircut, extra conditions, or slower settlement.
| Purchase type | Why value gets “haircut” | When deposits show up | How to keep it clean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-demo (authorised supplier) | Usage/condition not documented; accessories unclear | If serial/probe/accessory list is missing, or warranty is unclear | Include model + serial + full accessory list + written warranty terms |
| Refurb (specialist refurbisher) | Refurb scope unknown; parts quality uncertain | If refurb report is vague or there’s no service history | Refurb checklist (what replaced) + test report + service record summary |
| Grey import (non-local channel) | Support/warranty/resale risk higher; compliance uncertainty | Often immediately if local support is not evidenced | Proof of support plan + warranty pathway + clear supplier invoice |
| Private sale / brokered used | Invoice strength + verification risk | If seller can’t provide proper tax invoice / ownership trail | Tax invoice + ownership confirmation + condition report + photos |
Clean approval checklist (the “keep deposits low” pack)
This is the exact pack that reduces “unknowns”. The goal is simple: make your file so clear that the lender doesn’t need to protect themselves with a haircut.
If you skip these items, the consequences are predictable: more questions, more conditions, slower approval — and a higher chance the lender asks for a deposit to offset risk. If you want the broader ownership pathway for clinics, anchor to Low Doc Asset Finance and use Equipment Finance where the asset fit is clean.
- Supplier quote: model + serial (or “serial to be confirmed”), condition (ex-demo/refurb), full accessories list.
- Warranty statement: duration + who provides it + what’s covered (in writing).
- Refurb evidence: what was replaced + test/certification report + date of refurb.
- Support plan: who services it locally + turnaround expectations (one paragraph is enough).
- Photos / condition: front/back plates, hours/usage where applicable.
- Clinic evidence: 6–12 months Bank Statements so the trading story is clean.
- Signing clarity: correct entity name and signer details to avoid Loan Agreement re-issues.
Clinics: refurb, ex-demo, and grey-import gear triggers deposits when the lender can’t defend the value. Fix the evidence (quote detail, warranty, refurb proof, support plan) and you often reduce valuation haircuts — which keeps your LVR clean.
Start with the Whitecoat pathway: Whitecoat Hub and Whitecoat Pack. For ownership funding, anchor to Low Doc Asset Finance.
FAQ
It generally means the device is sourced outside the local authorised distribution channel. Lenders may treat this as higher risk if warranty/support and verification are unclear — which can trigger a valuation haircut and deposit.
Because once the lender saw the refurb/ex-demo/grey-import details, they adjusted the asset value. A lower valuation increases your LVR — and the deposit is what brings it back within policy.
A detailed quote (model/accessories), warranty in writing, refurb proof (if applicable), and 6–12 months of Bank Statements. Without these, you’ll usually get more conditions and slower assessment.
Often, yes — but the lender will want clear condition evidence and a clean value story. Missing usage/condition details can trigger a haircut under the lender’s Approval Criteria.
Most delays are admin: entity name mismatches, missing signer details, or a revised invoice after docs are issued. Keeping the supplier invoice and entity details consistent avoids Loan Agreement rework.
Disclaimer: This content is general information only and isn’t financial, legal, or tax advice.
