Help Buying Used
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- Dage'sVew
- Member
- Posts: 172
- Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 1:41 am
- Location: Southwestern PA
Help Buying Used
The DH is ready to go shopping for a scooter to replace the totaled Granvista (see: "who's crashed"), with the insurance replacement check in his hot little hand. I looked in MB Faqs & Guides for tips on what to look for when buying used but apparently that help never made it past the "coming soon" phase. Anybody have a check list they can post or even just some thoughts on items that might be initially overlooked? We'd appreciate the help!
- Point37
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- Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2018 4:34 pm
- Location: Southcoast, MA
This is what i typically do...i'm sure i'm missing some things but this is what i can think of off the top of my head...
-ask if they have a clear title in hand (no title then i don't bother even viewing)
-ask for additional photos and photos of any blemishes (i see some CL ads where they only have 1 photo which seems like a scam ad)
-get their phone number and talk to them on the phone vs email/text
-check tires for wear
-check all lights and horn
-check VIN against title
-feel engine before starting to be sure you are seeing a cold start or tell owner that you want to see a cold start
-check fenders, grip ends, mirrors and anything else that sticks out for signs of being dropped/crashed
-ride it to be sure everything works properly (brakes)
-inspect underneath for signs of leaks
-ask why they are selling
-ask if they have a clear title in hand (no title then i don't bother even viewing)
-ask for additional photos and photos of any blemishes (i see some CL ads where they only have 1 photo which seems like a scam ad)
-get their phone number and talk to them on the phone vs email/text
-check tires for wear
-check all lights and horn
-check VIN against title
-feel engine before starting to be sure you are seeing a cold start or tell owner that you want to see a cold start
-check fenders, grip ends, mirrors and anything else that sticks out for signs of being dropped/crashed
-ride it to be sure everything works properly (brakes)
-inspect underneath for signs of leaks
-ask why they are selling
-
- Member
- Posts: 836
- Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:19 am
- Location: Des Moines, WA
There's only 2 things I could add to the above:Point37 wrote:This is what i typically do...i'm sure i'm missing some things but this is what i can think of off the top of my head...
-ask if they have a clear title in hand (no title then i don't bother even viewing)
-ask for additional photos and photos of any blemishes (i see some CL ads where they only have 1 photo which seems like a scam ad)
-get their phone number and talk to them on the phone vs email/text
-check tires for wear
-check all lights and horn
-check VIN against title
-feel engine before starting to be sure you are seeing a cold start or tell owner that you want to see a cold start
-check fenders, grip ends, mirrors and anything else that sticks out for signs of being dropped/crashed
-ride it to be sure everything works properly (brakes)
-inspect underneath for signs of leaks
-ask why they are selling
1. Even though the seller may say they have clear title, make sure it's in their name. I've had 2 instances where the seller had the original title but they had never bothered to get it properly transferred to their name. If the scoot doesn't have a current year license tab, that's a clue that the title may not have been transferred. If they don't have the original bill of sale this can be a real hassle when you go to your DOL to make the transfer. Depending on the state you live in, even with an original bill if sale, it can be a hassle.
2. Ask to see service records as proof of regular maintenance.
Bill in Seattle
Member Emeritus
- Point37
- Member
- Posts: 402
- Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2018 4:34 pm
- Location: Southcoast, MA
- Dage'sVew
- Member
- Posts: 172
- Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 1:41 am
- Location: Southwestern PA
Very helpful guys, thanks! Wouldn't of thought of matching VIN to the title! I was a complete newby when I bought my 2 y.o. Buddy and only asked to see it ridden up the street and back. I didn't have my permit yet and hubs wasn't even considering scooting at the time. But, it had less then 150 miles on it so I figured there couldn't be much wrong. And there wasn't!! Same with the Grand Vista. The owner laying it down on gravel and scaring himself got my hubs a low mileage, road rashed, bargain priced scoot that never once let him down. Now though I understand how lucky we were. Don't want to chance fate a third time so we plan on being a more informed buyer this time.