How to buy a used electric bike?

Recently, ads for the sale of used electric bicycles have begun to appear on classified ad sites or social networks. When new models are announced, some cyclists separate from their frames to equip themselves with the latest generation of electric bicycles.

Top Ebike advises you to buy your used electric bike in the best conditions. We detail a few points to check before buying a used electric bike

Battery condition

Batteries can lose part of their autonomy depending on the years, the number of charge cycles… It is therefore necessary to estimate the number of remaining charge cycles. If the battery life is insufficient, it will be necessary to find out the purchase price of a new battery. The bike battery can then be used as a backup battery.

Depending on the brands of the batteries, it is possible to have an indication of the number of charging cycles. Refer to the battery manual. Depending on how the LED on the battery flashes, you can determine the number of charges made by the previous owner.
Assistance system / Engine

What is the engine?

Top Ebike advises you to check the engine. You must ensure that it is a recognized brand of motor to ensure that you can have your EAB repaired by an approved centre in the event of a problem. The most common brands of VAE assistance systems are Bosch, Brose, Shimano or Yamaha. We could also mention Bafang, Panasonic or Samsung. If you choose a bike equipped with a little-known Asian brand engine, you may have difficulty finding a repairer or even spare parts if necessary.

You can visually check if the motor does not show any signs of shocks. The best thing to do is to make sure that the motor has not been opened. In practice, this will be quite difficult to check unless you buy your electric bike from a professional who can do a quick check of the assistance system. If the engine has been “tinkered with”, you lose the warranty from the manufacturer.

Guarantee for the first buyer

It depends of the country, but generally, the warranty granted by the store is reserved for the first buyer of the e-bike.

If you wish to buy a used electric bicycle and keep the warranty, you will have to make arrangements with the store where the bicycle was purchased. Some stores may refuse and the bike will therefore lose its warranty.

Guarantee by brand

Here are the warranty conditions for the main brands.

Lapierre: Limited warranty to the first buyer. Source: Lapierre website
Moustache: Frame guaranteed 5 years. Ebike components are guaranteed for 2 years.
Specialized: 2.5 year warranty up to 500 full charge cycles. Ebike components guaranteed for 5 years. Frame guaranteed 5 years. The warranty applies to the first buyer and is not transferable. Source site Specialized.

In case of a problem after the purchase of your used electric bicycle, we advise you to contact the brand’s after-sales service to see if your case can be covered by the warranty.

Very low price

A price that is too low must be a warning to you. The owner sells the bike because he has a big “hidden defect”? Is the bike stolen?
Origin of the bike / Purchase invoice

To avoid buying a stolen electric bicycle, you must ask the seller for the origin of the bicycle. You can ask him for an invoice or a document proving that he is the owner of the bike.

Testing the bike

The best way to get a good opinion is probably to test the electric bike before buying it.
Check the condition of the electric bicycle

To be sure you don’t have any unpleasant surprises, you should check the exterior appearance of the used electric bike. Here is a list of points you can check before buying a used EAB:

Frame condition: Make sure the frame is not cracked. Has the frame been repainted to hide a crack? Is the state of the paint correct?
Service possible on Battery / Engine / Sensor: It is necessary to check if the manufacturer of the power assist system and battery is a recognized manufacturer. In case of a problem, you can then replace the battery, an engine part or the pedal sensor.
Wear and tear conditions: On an electric bicycle, you have more effort
on the tape and the chain. The wear of these components must therefore be checked.
Cleanliness: If the bike is full of mud, you may wonder if the previous owner was taking care of his equipment.

Advantages and disadvantages of buying a used electric bicycle

Are you hesitating to buy a used electric bike? Discover below a summary of the advantages and disadvantages

Why should I buy a used e-bike?

Lower purchase price
Ecological impact

Disadvantages of buying a vehicle

No premium for the purchase of an electric bicycle or subsidy from the state – communities
Limited Warranty
Difficulty in knowing the status of certain components (battery, engine, etc.)