Guide to Buying a Bike

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Background
Find out general details about your preferred bike - engine size, insurance cost, etc. Get an online quote from eBikeinsurance.co.uk, they are really good you know! Good research will make the task of choosing a bike much easier. Talk to friends, friends of friends, dealers, online chat rooms anywhere to make sure you are buying the right bike for your needs and wants. The colour photo ads in Two Wheel Deals are the actual bike for sale and of course help immensely in your choice.

Checking the background of a bike first
To save yourself a lot heartache, or at least a wasted journey, why not find out about the history of the bike you are considering first? Using a service such as Checkabike will tell you if a bike:

Is recorded as stolen on the Police National Computer
Has outstanding finance recorded against it
Has been written-off by an insurance company in the UK
Has a mileage anomaly recorded which could indicate clocking

Arranging a meeting with the seller

Always check a bike in daylight - darkness may hide faults.
If you're not mechanically minded, have the vehicle inspected by an expert, a service provided by motoring organisations. It could save you money.
Beware of 'between 5pm and 6pm' adverts which could mean a phone box is being used. Try calling outside this time.
If you meet the owner away from their home, make sure the meeting point is public and check proof of ownership. Always try to take a friend who either knows bikes or just for moral support.
Beware of mobile telephone numbers which may not be traceable.
Is the seller familiar with the vehicle and its controls?
Check all the documentation for PROOF OF OWNERSHIP If you buy a stolen bike, you have no right to keep it.
Registration plates may be false if they appear newer than the bike, have too many screw holes or appear to have been removed before.
Check all the parts of the bike well. Take your time.
If the bike has a security system, does it work?
Has the locking petrol cap been forced and replaced?
If the bike has aftermarket parts, does the seller have the originals as well? If not you could have a problem at MOT time!
Is it all the same colour? Sounds daft but have a look at it in sunlight as this will highlight the shade differences in the paint.
Run the registration through an organization such as HPI. This will reveal any nasties in the history or if it’s still on finance and in that case not owned by the seller.
Check the service history and if needed call the dealer who has stamped the book for authenticity
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It could be the difference between a lemon and a peach.

Dealers
Two Wheels Deals checks the dealers advertising on the site thoroughly. However, if you do ever have a problem with a dealer you have four options :

Most dealers provide warranties with bike sales. Check the small print before you buy. The warranty is the dealer guarantee.
Remember, being good natured initially always helps. Don’t go all guns blazing, at the end of the day you want the problem sorting not prolonging.
If the dealer is a member of the Motorcycle Retailers Association he has to comply with the MRA's arbitration service. The MRA are contactable on 0171 580 9122.
Contact your local Trading Standards office.
Contact a solicitor. Check costs. You have rights under the Sale of Goods Act.

Final Advice

Never feel pressured into buying.
Obtain proof of identity from the seller. They should hold the vehicle registration document, MOT certificate, and a log book.
If you have doubts WALK AWAY!
A banker's draft is safer than cash. Always ask for a receipt.

Remember
You will have no right in law to ownership of a stolen vehicle. You will LOSE BOTH THE BIKE AND YOUR MONEY!
We try to ensure that motor trade advertisers state 'Trade', but some still break the rules. If you're suspicious that a private seller is really a trader, inform your local Trading Standards Authority.