A private sale can be a good way to buy a used bike, with a better price and a direct conversation with the person who has actually ridden it. It also puts more of the checking in your hands. These are the checks worth doing before money changes hands.
Check for money owing
When a motorbike is financed, the lender can hold a security interest in it. If you buy a bike that still has money owing, the lender may be able to pursue it even after you have paid the seller. The Personal Property Securities Register lets you search by VIN for registered interests, and a fee applies for the search certificate. It is a small cost against a large risk, and if you plan to finance the purchase, many lenders will want a clear result anyway.
If the bike does have finance owing, the safest path is for the payout to be handled formally, with the lender confirming release in writing. Do not rely on a verbal promise from the seller.
Match the numbers
Check that the VIN on the frame, the engine number and the details on the registration papers all line up. Look for signs of tampering around the stamped numbers. If anything seems off, walk away. Stolen vehicle checks are run by state authorities, and you can ask the road authority in your state how to verify a vehicle's history.
Registration and roadworthiness
Confirm the registration is current and when it expires. Some states require a roadworthy or safety certificate at the time of sale and others do not; check your state road authority's rules so you know who is responsible. A bike without current rego may need to be trailered home, and you may not be covered to ride it.
Ask for the service history
A stack of receipts or a logbook with stamps shows the bike has been looked after. Compare the recorded kilometres with the odometer reading, with the condition of the grips, pegs, seat and chain. A very worn bike with low kilometres deserves questions.
The inspection
Take someone who knows bikes if you can, or pay for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic. Look at:
- Frame, forks and swingarm for cracks, bends or crash marks
- Fork seals for oil weeping
- Tyre age and tread, plus chain and sprocket wear
- Brake discs, pads and fluid condition
- Leaks, odd noises and cold-start behaviour
A test ride should only happen with proper licence, gear and an agreement with the seller about insurance.
Paperwork and payment
Get a written receipt showing the date, price, seller and buyer details, VIN and a statement of the bike's condition as inspected. Pay by a traceable method and avoid handing over cash in an unsafe place. Transfer rules and timeframes vary between states and territories, so check them before the day.
The ACCC publishes information on buying a used vehicle, and consumer guarantees apply differently to private sales than to dealers, so know which rules cover your purchase.
If you plan to finance a used bike
Lenders may apply age or kilometre limits for used motorbikes, and may treat private purchases differently to dealer purchases. Ask early, so you do not find the perfect bike only to discover it falls outside the criteria. You can start a free, no-obligation enquiry with our finance partner to find out what documents are typically needed.
If you are selling your current bike to help fund the purchase, Anything Marketplace is one place to list it.
This article is general information only and does not consider your circumstances. It is not legal or financial advice, and any process described may vary by state or lender.
