Checklist: Sell used motorcycle

Private sale

• higher selling price possible

• Bike must be technically fine
• Damage should be repaired
• Wear parts should be okay
• Motorcycle must be lightning-clean
• Sales display must be created
• Test drive dates are necessary
• annoying price negotiations
• only in spring good prices possible
• Purchase contract must be drawn up
• Effort of sale very high

Sale at the dealer

• low selling price

• additional room for manoeuvre to negotiate
• Check / preparation of the bike is not necessary
• No annoying price negotiations
• no test driving, no dates

• Expenditure of the sale significantly lower
• The timing of the sale does not matter

Preparation of the motorcycle before purchase

• Check or have the machine checked at the dealer
• if TÜV is pending, let us join in
• Check oil, water level, tyre pressure
• Checking the electrics and lighting
• Clean and grease the chain
• Washing, cleaning, laying -> no cat wash, but right

Pricing

• Check second-hand exchanges according to the same model in the region
• higher price gives room for manoeuvre in price negotiations
• low price increases the number of interested parties

Test drive & checkout

• before the test drive: have an identity card given, check your driving licence
• Write down the address and telephone number of the prospect
• Hand over the vehicle letter only after full payment
• allow extensive test drive
• Legal obligation: openly address defects of the motorcycle, do not conceal anything
• Do not accept cheques
• no sale without a purchase contract!
• Use standard purchase agreement (download ADAC sample purchase contract here)
• Fix the time of vehicle handover and insurance transfer in the purchase contract

Create a sales ad

• Create meaningful photos from different perspectives
• these include side view, front and rear view, cockpit, tank, engine, exhaust
• Damage not to hide and also to photograph
• pay attention to good exposure and sharpness, borrow the neighbor's camera for the need
• ensure a calm background in all photos
• Photos from the last Alpine holiday with mountain in the background don't interest anyone!
• in the description of the ad give too much rather than too little information
• Please mention: number of previous owners, condition, possible damage, BJ, mileage