Start with the papers
- Check that the seller is the registered owner and that the details on the registration match the bike, including the frame (VIN) number.
- Ask the official licensing authority where you live how to check for liens or outstanding fines and how a transfer of ownership works.
- Ask for the service history and compare the odometer with the records.
Look at the bike when it is cold
Ask that the engine has not been started before you arrive. A cold engine shows hard starting, smoke or noises that a warm engine can hide.
Walk around it
- Signs of a crash: bent levers, scratches on the ends of the handlebars and on the sides, a bent frame or footpegs, and mismatched or replaced plastics.
- Leaks: oil or fluid around the forks, engine and brake calipers.
- Tyres: tread depth, cracks, and the date code on the sidewall. Many manufacturers recommend replacing tyres after about five to six years, so check the guidance for your bike.
- Chain and sprockets: a rusty, stiff or tight chain, or sprocket teeth shaped like hooks, means a service bill is coming.
- Brakes: disc condition, pad thickness and a firm lever.
- Steering: turn the bars from lock to lock with the front wheel off the ground if possible. It should feel smooth, not notchy.
The test ride
Only ride the bike if you are properly licensed and insured for it, and bring a friend or a mechanic you trust. Check that it pulls straight, brakes without vibration, shifts cleanly and that the clutch does not slip. Listen for noises when the engine is hot.
Avoid scams
- A price far below the market is a warning sign, not a bargain.
- Do not pay a deposit or send money before you have seen the bike and the papers in person.
- Meet in a public, well-lit place and let someone know where you are going.
- If the seller rushes you, or refuses an inspection by a mechanic, walk away.
This checklist is general. Registration, ownership transfer and insurance rules differ by country, so confirm them with the official authorities before you pay.