What to check for when buying privately

[Dai]

I'm going to buy a Raleigh Velo Cite 2014 model privately from someone today. It is apparently unridden since the seller bought it as an impulse buy last August. What things should I look out for or check before handing over the cash? Thanks

 

[Zebb]

Just apply common sense really, ask to see receipts, ride the bike, ask why they are not using it any more if not obvious.
Check for damage to battery, see if its been dropped. Check what its worth before going. Could even ring the shop where they got it from if unsure.

Good luck, have fun. Welcome to the forum

 

[Willber G]

Check with the original vendor to see if they will transfer the warranty. Woosh did when I bought my s/h Zephyr (they even supplied a copy of the sales invoice) but I understand that not all vendors will do this.

 

[tillson]

I'm going to buy a Raleigh Velo Cite 2014 model privately from someone today. It is apparently unridden since the seller bought it as an impulse buy last August. What things should I look out for or check before handing over the cash? Thanks

First of all, decide what the bike is worth before you go and look at it. flecc provided a useful guide to second hand electric bike prices here is the link to the formula and it gives you a good starting point.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/selling-and-buying-second-hand-e-bikes.4311/

The battery is the biggest risk item when buying second hand and has the potential to spoil the savings on a used bike. If you are spending a few hundred pounds, I would say that it's worth taking your cycling gear when you go to look at a bike and riding it with the intention of flattening the battery to see how far you get, even if this means cycling around the block for a couple of hours. Also find a very steep hill to see if the battery cuts out under load. Apart from this, just the usual look at general condition (wear on brake rims, tyres, pedals and pedal cranks to try and gauge the amount and type of use that it's had. But as I've mentioned, it's the battery which has the most potential to bite you.

 

[Dai]

Thanks everyone. Took the plunge and bought the bike. It's virtually unused. Been for a short ride tonight and couldn't stop smiling - never realised cycling could be so much fun!