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.

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