Bike buying guide - Motorcycle Accident FAQs

Bike buying guide

Avoiding problems when you buy a motorbike

Check the paperwork

  • Check that the person selling the motorcycle is the owner
  • Read the Vehicle Registration Document (V5). Alarm bells should ring if the seller can’t show you this. If they claim they bought the bike recently and it is still with the DVLA, they should have a green slip (if the V5 is post March 1997). Check whether it has any spelling mistakes or alterations and whether it has a watermark.
  • Check the V5 against the details on the seller’s driving licence, passport, or recent gas or utility bill
  • Check the V5 against the bike. The number plates (VRM), identification number (VIN) and engine number should all match.
  • Ask to see a valid insurance policy
  • Check the tax disc
  • Check the service history
  • Check the mileage. Does it match the MOT, service documentation and when the bike was last sold? Do the dates match up?
  • Check the garage address and phone numbers, if any, on the MOT and service documents. Look out for any notes made by the mechanics at the time
  • Check the MOT certificate. Has it been properly stamped, and does the test centre have a VOSA number – remember that the MOT certificate does not mean that the motorcycle is roadworthy- only that it was in a certain condition on a certain day.

Check the bike

  • Check the motorcycle’s condition. Look out for rust and damaged tyres, check the warning lights and cut out switch, look out for any welding on the frame or patchiness in the paintwork. Check the frame and engine numbers.
  • Ask if you can test-drive the motorcycle. Make sure you’re insured to do this, and be carefully what security you give. Hand over your car keys as security and you may come back to find that you are sitting on a stolen bike and someone has just run off with your car.

Paying for the bike

  • Get a HPI check
  • If you’re part-exchanging your old bike, then make sure you know what it is worth.
  • If you’re buying from a dealer, make sure you’re being quoted the on-the-road price which includes VAT, number plates, delivery charges and road tax.
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Client Feedback

White Dalton have handled 1000's of motorcycle accident cases over the years. Here is some feedback from some of our recent clients...

Very High Standard

Confident that a professional was looking at my case rather than an administrative clerk

Mark

Excellent

Acted promptly, communicated clearly. Satisfied with the advice from White Dalton. Very pleased, but hope I don't need you again for obvious reasons.

Colin

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As I am unused to dealing with legal matters I found the whole process initially daunting, however Rhiannons' friendly, calm, relaxed, matter of fact manner Read more...

RL

Contact Us

Call us to speak in to a member of our team. Or fill out our contact form and we'll ring you back. 0800 783 6191

0800 783 6191

Our phone lines are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

We Ride, We Know...

White Dalton Motorcycle Solicitors are Britain’s most specialist motorbike accident compensation claims solicitors, dealing with all legal aspects of motorcycle accident compensation claims.

Every one of our motorbike solicitors rides and we have total motorbike experience. We have years of experience in successfully gaining compensation for motorcyclists injured on the road.