Buying a Used Motorbike: 7 Checks Before You Buy

Buying a second-hand motorbike is one of the best ways to get more bike for your money. But that bargain you spotted online can quickly become less attractive if it needs new tyres, a chain and sprockets, or work on the suspension.

The trick is to look beyond the shiny paintwork. Here are seven checks worth making before you part with your hard-earned cash.

1. Check the MOT history

Start with the registration number and use the official GOV.UK MOT history checker. Look at the recorded mileage, previous failures and advisories. Repeated tyre, brake or suspension issues deserve a closer look.

A fresh MOT is useful, but it isn't a guarantee that every component is in great condition.

2. Don't obsess over mileage

A low-mileage bike isn't automatically the better buy. Condition and maintenance matter just as much, particularly on older machines that may have spent long periods sitting unused.

A bike with sensible mileage, regular servicing and a folder of receipts can be a safer bet than one that's barely been ridden but has little history.

3. Look closely at the expensive bits

Check the tyres for wear, cracking and damage, then inspect the chain and sprockets for rust or obvious wear. Look for oil around the fork seals, corrosion underneath the bike and damaged brake discs.

Scuffs on the bar ends, levers, mirrors and footpegs can suggest the bike has been dropped. That isn't necessarily a deal-breaker, but ask what happened.

4. Ask for a cold start

If possible, arrange to see the bike before the seller has warmed it up. Listen for unusual knocking, look for excessive smoke and check that the engine settles into a steady idle.

Test the lights, indicators, horn and other electrical equipment too. If something doesn't feel right, don't talk yourself into ignoring it.

5. Check the paperwork

Ask to see the V5C logbook and service records. Make sure the registration and frame number match the bike and documents.

Use the government's vehicle buying guidance to check the details, and consider a paid history check for outstanding finance, theft markers or recorded write-off history.

6. Compare prices properly

Check several examples of the same model and similar age, mileage and condition. Don't assume accessories add much value, and factor in any immediate servicing or replacement parts when deciding what you're prepared to pay.

7. Know when to walk away

Never feel pressured into buying because the seller claims someone else is on their way. If the paperwork doesn't add up, the seller avoids reasonable questions or the bike needs more work than you're comfortable with, leave it.

Only take a test ride if you're properly licensed, insured and the bike is road-legal and safe to ride.

The bottom line: buy the bike's condition and history, not just its looks or mileage. There will always be another motorbike for sale - and walking away from the wrong one can be the smartest money you spend.