A used Backyard Buddy lift can be a smart buy — these are heavy-gauge, USA-made four-post lifts that last — but only if you inspect it properly and pay a fair price. This guide gives you a complete pre-purchase inspection checklist, honest fair-value guidance (including where no reliable public pricing exists), which discontinued models to approach with extra caution, and a clear-eyed case for when buying new with a warranty is the better call. Backyard Buddy is now sold under the Real Garage Life brand, but used units still carry their original model codes (B-4P7CL, B-4P8WB, B-4P8BB, B-4P8WF, and so on).

⚠️ Lab Note: A used four-post lift is a life-safety device holding a vehicle over your head. Never skip the cable, mechanical-lock, and cylinder inspection to save time — and never buy one you can’t see cycle through a full raise and lower under load or observed operation. If the seller won’t let you inspect it operating, walk away.

Full used-lift inspection checklist

Bring a flashlight, a tape measure, and ideally a second set of eyes. Work through every item:

  • Lifting cables: Inspect the full length of each cable for fraying, kinks, flat spots, rust, and broken strands (“meat hooks”). Check the cable ends and sheaves/pulleys for wear. Frayed or rusted cables are a common failure point and a replacement cost you must factor into any offer.
  • Mechanical safety locks: These lines use mechanical locks as standard — verify every column’s lock ladder engages and releases cleanly, and that all four locks engage at the same height (level). Listen for the locks clicking into each position as the lift rises. Locks that don’t seat evenly or a release mechanism that binds are red flags.
  • Hydraulic cylinder & leaks: Inspect the cylinder rod for scoring or pitting, and check the cylinder, fittings, and hose runs for weeping or active leaks. Look for oil pooling under the power unit and at hose connections. A slow bleed-down after the lift is raised (and locks are off) points to seal or valve wear.
  • Columns / plumb: Check all four columns for straightness, dents, and rust — especially at the base. Put a level on them: columns should be plumb. Since these are freestanding four-post lifts, a rack that’s been moved repeatedly may be out of square — verify it sits level and square on the floor.
  • Runways / platforms: Inspect the runway decks for cracks, heavy rust, bent tread, and worn tie-downs or cross members. Check that the ramps and any drive-off stops are present and functional. Runways are heavy (roughly 300–500 lb each) and expensive to replace, so surface rust is fine but structural damage is not.
  • Power unit & motor: Confirm the motor runs smoothly without grinding, that it matches the electrical you have (most four-post units are 120V/20A standard, optional 240V), and check the fluid level and condition — these use AW-32 hydraulic fluid, roughly 3–4 gallons for a four-post. Milky or contaminated fluid suggests neglect.
  • Operation under observation: Watch it raise and lower through a full cycle. It should rise evenly on all four corners, the locks should engage in sequence, and lowering should be smooth and controlled. Uneven lift is a cable or leveling problem.
  • Completeness: Confirm all hardware, ramps, drip trays, and any accessories are included, and ask for the manual (PN 90020 covers the Classic/Wide/Big four-post family; PN 90052 covers the Side-by-Side).

Fair-value guidance — and where there simply is no data

Here’s the honest reality: for the discontinued models, there is no reliable public used-sales data to anchor a “fair price.” We looked. The forum “used sales” we found were 7,000-lb Classic/Service lifts, not the discontinued 8,000-lb models. So rather than invent a range, here’s how to gauge value yourself:

  • Pull live comps. Search completed/sold eBay listings and Facebook Marketplace for the exact model code. Sold prices — not asking prices — are your only real signal.
  • Anchor to last-known new price. For a current model, compare against today’s price where published (e.g., the Classic Extra Tall was live at ~$7,495 in August 2026; see the full Backyard Buddy price page). A clean, complete used four-post lift typically trades at a meaningful discount to new — but the exact discount depends on condition, cable/lock health, and completeness, so let your inspection set the number.
  • Discount for missing warranty and freight already paid. The seller saved the original buyer’s freight and install; that’s part of what you’re recapturing. But you’re also giving up warranty coverage — price accordingly.

Discontinued models — buy with extra caution

Two four-post models are discontinued, and both deserve caution:

  • Big Buddy (B-4P8BB), 8,000 lb: A large lift (drive-through 8’9.5″, fits F-250/F-350). Its last MSRP before discontinuation was $7,495 (Feb 2025, archival only — not a used-market price). We found zero model-specific observed used sales, so there is no fair-value range to quote. Confirm parts availability before buying.
  • Workforce (B-4P8WF), 8,000 lb: This one has a genuine capacity discrepancy — the manual lists 8,000 lb, but an older Advantage page listed 7,000 lb — so Verify with manufacturer and confirm the rating plate on the actual unit. The only price reference is 3 units bought new at $5,245 in 2018 (not a used-market figure). Again, zero observed used sales, so no reliable range exists.

With any discontinued unit, the bigger risk isn’t the lift itself — it’s parts and support. Cables, lock ladders, and cylinder seals are the parts most likely to need replacing. Confirm those are still obtainable before you commit. The full lineup and status of every model is on the Backyard Buddy lift lineup page.

Warranty transferability

The line carries a 5-year limited warranty on the models we could confirm — but whether that coverage transfers to a second owner is Verify with manufacturer. Don’t assume a used lift comes with any remaining coverage. Before you buy, ask the seller for the original purchase documentation and contact the manufacturer (now Real Garage Life) to confirm transfer terms and remaining term. If coverage doesn’t transfer, factor the full replacement-parts risk into your offer.

When buying new with a warranty wins

Used isn’t always the better deal. Buying new makes more sense when:

  • You want the 5-year warranty. On a discontinued used unit with unknown transferability, you’re likely on your own for repairs.
  • You’re eyeing a discontinued model. Given zero reliable used pricing and parts-availability risk on the Big Buddy and Workforce, a current model (Classic, Extra Tall, Wide Buddy, or Multi-Lift) with a live price and support channel can be worth the premium.
  • The used unit needs cables, locks, or a cylinder. Add up those parts plus your labor — a “cheap” lift with tired components can cost more than a new one once it’s safe.
  • You can’t inspect it operating. If you can’t verify the safety systems, the only responsible move is to pass — and new removes that gamble entirely.

If new is the direction you’re leaning, compare current models and pricing on the Backyard Buddy price page and cross-shop against other brands in our best four-post car lifts guide. Either way, buy the lift you can inspect and afford to keep safe.