A guide to selling your motorcycle in the UK

Selling a motorbike may seem daunting, especially if it’s your first time. But it can be a stress-free experience with the right know-how. Below we guide you through the key considerations, covering everything from suitable platforms to getting your paperwork in order. Let’s begin.

How you can sell your motorbike in the UK

The best way to sell your motorbike depends on the price you’re willing to sell it for and how much time you’re willing to invest. Here are the pros and cons of each method:

Private sales

Selling privately means cutting out the middleman. You sell your motorcycle directly to another individual, rather than going through a dealership or third-party service.

Pros:

• You’re in control: You can write the advert, set the price, and handle the sale.
• You set the terms: You decide which offers to accept or reject.
• You might earn more: You could get a better price without a dealer taking a cut.

Cons:

• It can take time: It might take a while to find a buyer, especially if demand is low or your price is high.
• Dealing with timewasters: Some people might not show up or try to scam you.
• More effort: You’ll need to advertise the bike, speak to potential buyers, and sort out the paperwork yourself.

Dealerships

Selling through a dealership can help remove hassle, but you may get less than selling privately.

Pros:

• Fast and easy: Dealerships do the work for you. There’s no need to advertise or deal with buyers yourself.
• Trade-in options: Many dealers let you trade in your old bike for a new one.
• Less admin: Dealers usually handle the DVLA paperwork.

Cons:

• Lower price: Dealers may offer less for your bike so they can resell at a profit.
• Fewer potential buyers: You’re limited to what the dealership is willing to offer. You may get more by testing the open market.

Online platforms

One perk of websites and marketplaces is they let you list your bike to a wider audience. Popular platforms include:

• AutoTrader
• eBay Motors
• Facebook Marketplace
• Gumtree
• MCN Bikes for Sale

Pros:

• Bigger reach: Your ad can be viewed by thousands of potential buyers.
• More control: You set the price and terms.
• Useful insights: Most sites show how many people have viewed or saved your listing, so you can see how it’s performing.

Cons:

• Requires effort: You’ll need to respond to messages, arrange viewings, and handle the sale from start to finish.
• Listing fees: Some sites charge for adverts or take a cut of the sale.
• Scammers and time wasters: You’ll probably have to put up with lowball offers, no-shows and even scammers in some cases.

Prepping your bike for sale

You’ve decided how you’re selling your bike. Now it’s time to get it ready to sell, so here’s what to do:

Give it a thorough clean

Getting your bike in squeaky-clean condition will make it more attractive to potential buyers. If you do the cleaning yourself, make sure you’re using the advised cleaning products for your bike.

Repair any damage

It’s best to take care of any minor repairs before you sell your bike. Things like scratches and chips can be repaired easily and won’t put a huge dent in your wallet.

Remove any modifications

Potential buyers will probably want your bike to be as close to the original as possible. So, remove any modifications you’ve made, along with any stickers or decals.

Get it road-ready

Give your bike a test run to ensure everything is in working order. It’s particularly important if the bike has been sitting idle for a while. You should check the brakes, gears, steering, clutch and throttle, as well as indicators and headlights.

Sort the paperwork

You’ll also need to get your paperwork in order, including the V5 logbook, service records, past MOT certificates, and receipts for parts. It may be worth getting a new MOT done if it only has a few months left, as it can help put the buyer’s mind at ease.

You should also have the reg plate, frame, engine, and MOT certificate serial numbers to hand. The buyer can use them to check if the bike is registered as stolen, is linked to any finance, and has a legitimate MOT. This can help alleviate any worries the buyer may have.

How to write an attractive advert

Your advert is the shop window for your bike. Spending time crafting an engaging listing can improve your chances of a quicker, smoother sale.

• Write a clear, honest title: Include the make, model, and year as a minimum. You could also highlight key selling points, such as low mileage, to help your listing stand out.
• Take high-quality pictures: Snap your bike in daylight, ideally after cleaning it. Show the bike from various angles and get close-ups of key features like tyres, exhaust, dashboard, and any custom parts. Include photos of the V5C logbook, service history, and MOT certificate if available.
• Craft a detailed, engaging description: Be honest and informative. Include the bike’s mileage, MOT status, service history, any recent work done, and extras like aftermarket parts or accessories. Mention the number of previous owners and explain why you’re selling if relevant. Try to keep it clear and concise too, aiming for 75-100 words.
• Set a fair price: Research similar bikes in your area on platforms like AutoTrader, Gumtree, and MCN. Consider the bike’s age, condition, mileage, service history, and any extras. If you’re open to offers, you can say so in the listing. But pricing it realistically from the start will attract more serious buyers.

What’s the best time of year to sell a motorbike?

It’s typically early to late spring. Warmer weather brings a rise in demand from riders keen to get back on the road. Once you get into winter, it may become tougher to shift your bike, with more riders avoiding the roads because of less daylight and worse driving conditions.

How to safely sell your bike

Selling a bike isn’t without risk, especially if you’re selling privately. You can help keep your safe by:

• Being wary of scammers: Be very cautious of buyers who don’t want to view the bike. Genuine buyers will always want to see it. You should also ask for the potential buyer’s contact details, such as their full home address and mobile number. This should help provide reassurance, as a legitimate buyer will be happy to give you this info.
• Being prepped: Get all your paperwork together for a potential buyer to review. Buyers may want to check key details like the mileage figure on the most recent MOT certificate.
• Keeping hold of the payment: Keep hold of the keys and documents until the full payment has cleared your bank.
• Meeting at home or a familiar location: Always meet the buyer at home or a location you’re familiar with.
• Being cautious of test drives: Be wary of allowing test drives without your presence. If you do decide to allow it, ask to see valid insurance that covers the driver in the event of damage while driving another bike. Without it, you may be held liable if the potential buyer has an accident or causes damage.

Keep your motorbike protected with specialist insurance from Devitt

Whether you’re looking to offload your bike or buy a new one, it’s sensible to consider specialist insurance. After all, it can help cover you from the range of risks you face, from test drive damage to theft while it’s sitting idle on your drive.

At Devitt, we’ve been arranging motorbike insurance for UK riders since 1936. Our cover is built to suit all types of riders, wherever your bike takes you.

We can offer cover for classic bikes, custom builds, scooters, superbikes and more, plus optional extras like breakdown cover, legal expenses, and helmet and leathers protection. Call us on 0808 503 4747 or fill in our online form to get an instant quote.

Disclaimer: The sole purpose of this article is to provide guidance on the issues covered. This article is not intended to give legal advice, and, accordingly, it should not be relied upon. It should not be regarded as a comprehensive statement of the law and/or market practice in this area. We make no claims as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein or in the links which were live at the date of publication. You should not act upon (or should refrain from acting upon) information in this publication without first seeking specific legal and/or specialist advice. Devitt Insurance Services Limited trading as Devitt accepts no liability for any inaccuracy, omission or mistake in this publication, nor will we be responsible for any loss which may be suffered as a result of any person relying on the information contained herein.