Your Guide to Buying Used Mopeds and Scooters

With the economy in a downslide and gas prices on the rise, used mopeds and scooters are looking more and more attractive as a way to get around town. Buying 50 cc used mopeds, or buying used Honda scooters, are a good way to get some cheap, reliable transportation. The classic Vespa scooters, too, should be considered a coup if you can find them.

Here are some things you should keep in mind when you're looking for used mopeds and scooters.

Do your research

Many times, you can find decent used mopeds or scooters at a good price on eBay, or in the classifieds. Don't be afraid to do a search online and find someone near you with 50CC mopeds secondhand or Vespa scooters for sale. However, often you will have enough listings on eBay to be able to compare prices and figure out what is cheap and what is not.

Know what you're spending

Before you just simply pull out your wallet or checkbook (or credit card), though, do some research. Find out how much the brand you are looking at is going for when it's second hand. Be advised, too, that you might have some competition these days for your scooter search, since they are a very attractive alternative, indeed, to cars and other gas guzzling vehicles. You should find out what the ballpark figure is, currently. This can even change day-to-day, so you're going to have to do research and keep abreast of what current prices are considered reasonable. Once you decide on your spending limit, you can always put in a bid on an online auction.

eBay is good for this, as it allows you to put in your maximum bid and leave it. You see, even if you put in a high maximum bid, it will only outbid the current highest bidder by a few dollars.

Buy local

You may not want to buy something unseen, but buying online is not necessarily the same as buying unseen. If you do choose to shop eBay, for example, and you find something you think you like, make sure the seller is local to you so that you can go take a look before you buy. eBay has the local search available to make this possible.

Things to look for in used mopeds

Take a checklist with you, and make sure the moped or scooter passes inspection in these areas -- or that you get a very good price commensurate with the repair the moped or scooter is going to need:

Has the moped or scooter sat for a while? If so, it's likely to have some decay peculiar to unused vehicles. Check:

1. The motor.
It should be in good shape, and if it's not, it will need to be replaced.
2. The muffler.
If this needs replacing, do it. It might seem like it's a small thing, it but it's going to affect your scooter's performance.
3. Brakes.
Usually need replacing, and not worth risking it for the $20 or so you're going to pay if you replace them yourself.
4. Tires.
These are usually worn on a used moped or scooter, and will cost between $35 and $40 apiece to replace.
5. Shocks.
Again, these will probably need to be replaced, and are worth the cost of doing so for a safe ride.
6. Cables.
Again, these will need to be replaced if the moped or scooter has sat for a while, but it's worth the cost (and your safety) to do so.
7. Body condition, including paint.
It might seem like a little rust isn't such a big deal, but be careful. It can significantly impact how roadworthy your scooter is.

Again, this is not to say that buying a used moped or scooter is a bad thing. You just have to be careful, know what you're looking for, and to know that some things are probably going to have to be replaced especially if the moped or scooter has been sitting in storage for a while. That said, though, do some research, decide what you're willing to pay for used (including the repairs you have to pay for or do yourself), then go out, find the moped or scooter you want, and roll up your sleeves and get to work. Once that's done, you can watch gas prices climb to four dollars a gallon or beyond and still know that you are riding a good, gas efficient, roadworthy vehicle.

Oh, and one other thing. Get insurance. It might seem like a small thing and it might not even be required in your state, but do it for safety's sake. And above all, of course, have fun -- safely, of course.

Vespa

2005 Vespa PX 150   LOW MILES  L@@K!!!

2005 Vespa PX 150 LOW MILES L@@K!!!

12
$2,905.00
$3,200.00
Vespa PX150 2005 Limited Edition 250+ Miles MINT PX 150

Vespa PX150 2005 Limited Edition 250+ Miles MINT PX 150

  - $3,600.00
Vespa 195 Vespa GS150 GS  (Completely Restored)

Vespa 195 Vespa GS150 GS (Completely Restored)

- $5,000.00
11 Vespa LX 150

11 Vespa LX 150

  $4,499.00
09 Vespa LX 150

09 Vespa LX 150

  1 $2,699.00
1966 Vespa VBC 150 Super - Bellissima!

1966 Vespa VBC 150 Super - Bellissima!

3
$710.00
$4,200.00
2009 Vespa Gts 250  ie.   Under 800 miles cheap

2009 Vespa Gts 250 ie. Under 800 miles cheap

13
$3,150.00
$3,800.00
64 Vespa Smallframe racer,  ET3 Motor

64 Vespa Smallframe racer, ET3 Motor

  2 $1,525.00
Vespa 1980 P200 P200e P125 Scooter Piagio

Vespa 1980 P200 P200e P125 Scooter Piagio

  3
$810.00
$2,100.00
2007 Piaggio Fly 50

2007 Piaggio Fly 50

  9 $415.00
2008 VESPA LX150 LX 150 SCOOTER BLACK 413 MILES 08

2008 VESPA LX150 LX 150 SCOOTER BLACK 413 MILES 08

$3,699.00
2009 VESPA GTS250 GTS 250 SCOOTER RED 1743 MILES 09

2009 VESPA GTS250 GTS 250 SCOOTER RED 1743 MILES 09

$3,999.00
2007 VESPA GTV250ie

2007 VESPA GTV250ie

5 $3,055.00
Lambretta Serveta Li 150 Special Runs and Drives in CT

Lambretta Serveta Li 150 Special Runs and Drives in CT

  14 $610.01
1962? Lambretta Li 150 Scooter  Runs and Drives in CT

1962? Lambretta Li 150 Scooter Runs and Drives in CT

  27 $610.00
2007 Italian made Vespa 250 GTS i.e.

2007 Italian made Vespa 250 GTS i.e.

4 $4,000.00
2005 Vespa GT 200 GT200 Scooter   I can deliver to you!

2005 Vespa GT 200 GT200 Scooter I can deliver to you!

9 $1,150.00
1980 Vespa P200e Motorscooter Unrestored

1980 Vespa P200e Motorscooter Unrestored

6 $710.00
2006 Piaggio BV-250 Scooter FREE Delivery Possible!!

2006 Piaggio BV-250 Scooter FREE Delivery Possible!!

$3,200.00
2006 Dragon Red Vespa LX150 - Great for College!

2006 Dragon Red Vespa LX150 - Great for College!

$2,499.00
Vespa GTS250, Low Miles, Loaded with extra's LOW RESERVE

Vespa GTS250, Low Miles, Loaded with extra's LOW RESERVE

9
$3,175.00
$4,750.00
2005 VESPA GT200 GT 200 SCOOTER LOW MILES LIKE NEW

2005 VESPA GT200 GT 200 SCOOTER LOW MILES LIKE NEW

  - $2,850.00
NEW 2008 VESPA SCOOTER GRANTURISMO 200L WITH WARRANTY

NEW 2008 VESPA SCOOTER GRANTURISMO 200L WITH WARRANTY

-
$3,000.00
$4,700.00
1967 Restored Vespa 50 Special

1967 Restored Vespa 50 Special

18 $1,025.00
2003 Vespa ET4 150--Only 223 miles!!-- top box included

2003 Vespa ET4 150--Only 223 miles!!-- top box included

  -
$2,000.00
$3,000.00