What to Check When Buying a Used Bike

Buying a second-hand bike is a great way to get your hands on a quality vehicle while saving money. Whether you’re after your first 125cc commuter or upgrading to a powerful sportsbike, the second-hand market is packed with opportunity, but you have to know where to look and what you’re looking for. 

To help, we’ve put together a handy guide of things to check for when you’re buying a used bike, so you can make sure you get bang for your buck. 

Let’s get into it. 

Do Your Homework First

Before you view a bike online on used bike sites, establish which make and model you’re interested in and decide on a budget. You can assess the going price for bikes of this kind on BigMoto, and set your budget accordingly. 

As well as settling on a budget, look out for common issues, service intervals, and parts availability. Check forums and owner reviews to get a sense of what ownership is like from the horse’s mouth.

Buy From a Reliable Third-Party Supplier

The best way to ensure that you buy a bike in good condition is to buy from a third-party supplier. At BigMoto, we check and inspect the condition of a used bike, so you can rest assured that you’re buying something in the condition it claims to be. 

When you buy directly from a private seller, you’ll have to do a lot more checking and verifying yourself, so bear this in mind before deciding where to buy from. 

Inspect the Paperwork

If the seller provides paperwork, check through everything, especially the V5C logbook. If the seller can’t produce this document, it might be cause for concern.

Look for service history, MOT certificates, and receipts for any work done, especially major repairs. Assessing this can give you a better idea of the condition of the bike, and being able to access as many documents as possible is a sign of a responsible owner. 

Check the Tyres, Wheels, and Suspension

When it comes to inspecting the vehicle, check the tyres for tread depth, uneven wear, or cracking on the sidewalls. Replacing tyres isn’t cheap, so if you can avoid doing so by buying a bike with the wheels in good condition, do so. 

Look for dents, cracks, and buckles in the wheels, and check the suspension by bouncing the front forks and rear shock. They should both return smoothly without clunking.  

Inspect the Brakes and Controls

The brakes and controls should also be in good condition before you buy. Brake discs should be free of scoring and not too thin; most will have a minimum thickness stamped on the disc itself. If the bike is in good condition, brake pads should have some life left, and the brake fluid should be relatively clear.

Test both the front and the rear brakes, which should feel firm if they’re in good nick. The levers and cables should also move smoothly without too much effort. 

Check the Engine and Exhaust

Checking the engine is key when buying a used bike. Start the engine from cold if possible to test it more effectively. Listen for rattling and knocking noises and look out for excessive smoke. While some white vapour on a cold day is normal, blue smoke can indicate engine wear, so look out for this potential red flag. 

Consider the Season

If you have to buy a new bike urgently, then you’ll have to buy now, but if you can wait, then do. Buying in fall or winter often allows you to access cheaper prices, although there tends to be more stock in spring or summer when more people put their bikes on the market. Depending on whether price or availability is more important, you might prefer to opt for spring/summer or autumn/winter. 

Assess the Mileage and Overall Condition

While mileage is important to take into account, it doesn’t tell the whole story. A high-mileage bike with a full service history can be a better bet than a low-mileage one that’s been neglected.

Take into account the overall condition of the bike, and look out for things like faded plastics, scuffed levers, and worn seat covers to give an indication of the bike’s state. 

Ask Questions

Don’t be scared to ask questions when it comes to buying a used bike! Whether you’re buying privately or from a third-party (although third-party sites can tend to be more transparent), you have a right to know everything about your purchase before you part with big money. 

Ask for documents if needed, as well as details on the bike's history. The more details you get, the better informed you’ll be when it comes to making your decision. 

The best place to buy a used bike is from BigMoto. Not only do we vet all vehicles and give an accurate description of their condition, but our pricing is fair, and we check the bikes on your behalf. 

We’re home to a huge range of used bikes from 50CC to 250CC, and we even offer finance options if you can’t afford the bike outright. Explore our used bike options today online, or visit our showroom to check them out in person.