Five Tips And Tricks For Buying A Used Two-wheeler

Thinking of buying a second hand two-wheeler? We’ve got you covered with an essential guide of things to look out for

Be it a new two-wheeler or a used one, the amount of love that a biker has towards their ride is the same. Buying your first two-wheeler is a special feeling. Given the current price of bikes and scooters, it is fair to say that it is indeed worth buying a second-hand two-wheeler. 

But buying anything used isn’t without its risks. So here are five things to look out for when buying a used two-wheeler.

Define The Purpose Of The Two-wheeler

First and foremost, and something that is very easily overlooked, is that you have to think about the purpose of purchasing a two-wheeler. The second-hand market offers a massive choice, catering to all kinds of budgets, however the cost of procurement is not the only expense.

You will have to look after the maintenance, insurance and running costs as well. Hence, plan your targeted segment of bikes of scooters based on your purpose, quantum of usage, maintenance costs and running costs. 

Check Everywhere

Once you have finalised the bike or scooter you want to buy, don’t limit yourself to just one dealer, one classifieds or one online portal. First check with your friends if anyone in their circle is parting with a two-wheeler that you’re looking for. Then check with local mechanics, as they might know people looking to part with their two-wheelers.

Explore as many used two-wheelers from all possible sources, be it websites, social media, or even online forums.

Inspection

By this stage, you’ve done the most tedious bit of narrowing down your choices and the excitement of bringing your new (old) ride home must be sky-high. However, now starts the most important bit, as you should thoroughly inspect the two-wheeler to ensure it is at its best.

Let’s begin with a physical inspection, wherein you check out the bike or scooter in broad daylight. Check for dents or scratches all around the vehicle, and give each panel a good shake to ensure that there’s minimal rattling or squeaking. Check for unusual noise coming from the two-wheeler while it is idling.

Next, check for unusual odometer readings. The best way of determining this would be to check the service history of the vehicle. Most service centres can provide this, and it would be great to get an expert opinion of the mechanical inspection of the vehicle while at the service centre. Also, ride the vehicle to the service centre along with the owner, to ensure that there aren’t any anomalies in the dynamics of the two-wheeler.

Documentation

Once convinced about the condition of the bike or scooter, go through the documents thoroughly. The registration certificate will provide all details about the ownership, and it is here that you can also confirm the number of previous owners. 

Check the insurance documentation to see how long the current insurance is valid. The ‘No Claim Bonus’ will provide insight if there were any past claims made. Also, ensure to check when the battery was last replaced, as generally it is recommended to change the battery every three years. If the vehicle is from out of state, ensure that it has a valid NOC. Lastly, check if the two-wheeler has a valid PUC certificate.

Seal The Deal

By this stage, you’d have a fair idea of how much work would have to be put into the vehicle after you buy it, as all used two-wheelers are bound to need some TLC. Considering this, it would not be a bad thing to negotiate on the final price before closing the deal. Also, ensure that you have all your documentation in place prior to parting with your money to ensure a seamless ownership transfer.

Watch this space to know how you can transfer ownership of a used two-wheeler, and things to look out for while buying specific bikes.