Top tips for selling a motorbike

Preparing a bike to sell

The bike will be much more attractive to buyers if it’s got a long MoT and tax, so if either are close to running out, get them done. At the very least, get it serviced, tuned and road-tested, and any cosmetic damage repaired.

Clean the bike thoroughly, particularly the wheels and chrome. Make sure all the lights, levers and switches work, the chain is adjusted, the tyres are at the right pressure, and all fluids are topped up.

Make sure you have the V5 registration document, and if possible a full service history with receipts neatly filed in chronological order.

If you’ve added extras, is there any point keeping the standard parts? If not, include them in the sale.

You can’t sell the bike with finance outstanding, so clear it first.

Top tips on selling

When listing your motorcycle for sale, price the bike realistically, using either www.usedbikeguide.com or www.parkers.co.uk or by checking the price of similar bikes in bike magazines or online.

Build in a margin for haggling so that both the buyer and you will walk away happy with a compromise on the initial asking price.

Be honest, and treat the buyer as you’d like to be treated. If the model has quirks, tell the buyer. They may already know about them, but they’ll appreciate your honesty.

If the buyer wants a test ride, make sure they’re insured and leave a car, cash or a friend as security.

Have two copies of a seller’s contract ready which says the bike is sold as seen. You can find a contract template at www.theaa.com.

Get paid. If it’s cash, count it. If it’s a cheque, wait until it’s cleared before handing over the bike.

How to write a bike ad

Stick to the facts that will attract buyers: make and model, year or registration suffix, colour, mileage, number of previous owners, MoT and tax, extras, location, honest condition of the bike, price, whether you’re open to offers and finally contact details.

Include as many photos as possible, taken outdoors in good light and showing the bike from both sides and with any detail which is relevant such as the odometer.

After you’ve sold it

Fill in both copies of the contract in front of the buyer, date and sign them. Keep one copy as proof of the purchase.

Tell the DVLA that the bike has changed hands by following the instructions on the V5 registration document.

Create a Free Account How to sell guide