buying bike private sale

[ziggyboy]

Thinking about buying a bike tomorrow , Seller wants cash on collection which i wont happy about , What precautions do i take to make sure bike is what it is , Serial , VIN numbers , What checks to do and do i pay cash or insist on bank transfer ,

Never bought a bike private before so a little un easy about it

Just don't want to buy a ringer or something thats dodgy


Cheers Guys

 

[JordanP]

Probably best running a HPI check first on the internet to make sure it's free of finance, not an import or stolen etc. Just input the reg details and it will tell you what you need to know.

Have a good look round the bike make sure your happy with it then pay with how you feel comfortable would be my advice.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[andyf]

Presumably the seller wouldn't be happy to hand over his expensive bike without knowing that he has actually been paid with real money. Funny that.
As has been said - as regards checking that the bike is not stolen/on finance/been written off by an insurer - do a HPI check - and (check that the VIN number matches).
A bank transfer could be almost instantaneous, or it could take a couple of hours (or longer).
General advice to buyers is to ensure that the address on the V5C is where you buy the bike from. General advice to sellers is to meet the prospective buyer in a public place away from their home address, so that thieves posing as buyers can't simply track down where to steal the bike from.

If carrying large sums of cash on you, try to avoid meeting the seller down a dark alley.

As regards checking whether the bike is mechanically sound - take someone who knows what they're doing.

 

[ziggyboy]

As regards checking whether the bike is mechanically sound - take someone who knows what they're doing.

I don't really know anyone that does lol

 

[ekdg]

Ive both Sold and purchased bikes privately, as for buying I have paid cash on collection, I always have a HPI check completed and pay the extra for all the possible checks, they will also guarantee the information provided. I had one once done for a bike at a dealers and it showed that finance was outstanding.

I always check the bike over, start from cold to see if there are any strange sounds, check all the fairing and look at the inside of the fairing for marks of repair. check wheel rims for marks, move wheels side to side for bearing play. check everything works as it should. I always buy from the owners house. If its a meet away from a home address then i have some reservations, i always take someone with me.

As for selling private, I'm happy that my house and garage are secure, i never give the house number just a post code then wait until they call me when they are on the road and direct them in to where I live. This way they do not have my address to steal the bike, I will not deal with a with held number phone call either. when the buyer arrives i show them round the bike then allow them to have a thorough look round and check the bike over, they can view all the documents and complete any checks they like.

If they some one views the bike and i don't feel happy i will take a picture of them.

 

[ziggyboy]

Ive both Sold and purchased bikes privately, as for buying I have paid cash on collection, I always have a HPI check completed and pay the extra for all the possible checks, they will also guarantee the information provided. I had one once done for a bike at a dealers and it showed that finance was outstanding.

I always check the bike over, start from cold to see if there are any strange sounds, check all the fairing and look at the inside of the fairing for marks of repair. check wheel rims for marks, move wheels side to side for bearing play. check everything works as it should. I always buy from the owners house. If its a meet away from a home address then i have some reservations, i always take someone with me.

As for selling private, I'm happy that my house and garage are secure, i never give the house number just a post code then wait until they call me when they are on the road and direct them in to where I live. This way they do not have my address to steal the bike, I will not deal with a with held number phone call either. when the buyer arrives i show them round the bike then allow them to have a thorough look round and check the bike over, they can view all the documents and complete any checks they like.

If they some one views the bike and i don't feel happy i will take a picture of them.

I like the picture taking at the end , smile for the camera please haha

 

[soofsayer]

Also worth a mention, if you turn up and the bike is sat in his garage and it is already warm I.e. He has had it running just before you got there be wary. Startup from cold is the best way to hear of anything bad going on before the oil gets warm and to see how the fuelling is.

If in any doubt walk away.

 

[ziggyboy]

anyone close to wiltshire fancy joining me and know what they are looking at ?

 

[JimmyMac]

anyone close to wiltshire fancy joining me and know what they are looking at ?

Would be glad to mate, if only I was closer.

JimmyMac

 

[Toan the Moan]

All of the above especially the V5 also photo ID that the person in the V5 is the person you are giving your money to. I always ask to see their passport and or driving licence

 

[MacRR]

- HPI check
- reg docs match the person selling the bike
- thorough check of the service history
- look in and around the bike for signs of bodged over accident damage
- stand behind the bike and check its straight (!)
- check all electrics, warning lights, heated grips etc etc
- start and run the bike from cold
- get the guy to ride the bike up and down changing gear if he wont let you take a spin listening / checking for clutch slip, gearbox issues or odd noises
- check tyres and chain for wear - good bargaining point
- check carbon frame covers to see if they're covering damage
- if in any doubt walk away!

Good luck