How to buy a secondhand electric bike

In saying that, there’s always things to look for to make sure you aren’t left dealing with an absolute stinker of a bike. It might’ve had a hard life and need new components to make it fit for purpose again. A bent or cracked frame will probably be a write -off. Some parts, like brake pads, are cheap, but if the gears are worn and you need a new cassette, you’ll be paying upwards of a few hundred dollars to get a new one.

The biggest expense on an e-bike is the battery. If the battery has clapped -out, you might be in line to pay $1,500 or more for a new one.

Important questions to ask before buying a used e-bike

How many kilometers has the bike been ridden? And what sort of riding was it? Was it off-road?

Many e-bikes have an odometer like a car. Ask the seller to see this data so you know how much it’s been ridden. Lots of miles means more wear and tear and you can take the price down a notch or two.

Trail riding is much tougher on the bike than road riding, so assume it’s had a harder life if it’s been ridden off road.

Has the bike ever been crashed? Are there any cracks or dents in the frame?

All bikes suffer the odd fall, but crashes can do serious damage. Be sure to inspect the frame closely – cracks often show up in the welds. It’s not worth trying to fix these sorts of things if you’re buying a used bike, so it’s better to leave it and move on.

How worn are the brakes, gears and chain? When did they last get replaced?

Electric bikes put extra weight and power through the gears, and the brakes have to contain all of it. You can buy your own chain-wear tool for about $15 and check the chain when you view the bike in person – it’s good to have the tool in your kit anyway. The smallest gears on electric bikes often have the most wear, but if the chain is in good nick, hopefully the cassette is fine. Replacing brake pads is part of life with a bike, but it’s good to check you won’t need to do it straight away.

What’s the brand of motor and battery and can they be serviced locally?

If the motor system has no local support, you’ll be stuffed if you run into any problems. The cheap import motors and batteries (the ones that generally aren’t from a local bike shop or NZ manufacturer) are likely to have no support, so it’s worth checking the brand before buying.

What’s the state of the battery? How many kilometers do you get out of it now? How long do you leave between charges? What state of charge (charge percentage) do you store it at?

If you get this wrong, and buy a bike with a dud battery, you’ll be left with an expensive problem to fix. Batteries lose capacity over time and if the bike has been sitting unridden for a long time, the battery will degrade, especially if it’s left in a fully charged state.

It’s difficult to pin down the exact range that a battery gives an e-bike, it depends on many factors like rider weight, weather and the power level used. That said, you should be able to get a general idea of the range when new with a simple search of the make and model and by reading reviews online. When you find out what the current owner can get from it now, it’ll be a good indicator of the state of health of the battery.

Factor battery wear and tear, or replacement, into your purchase price.

How does the motor sound when you’re riding it?

Test ride any e-bike you’re considering buying. You’ll hear the motor as you ride it, and it should quietly whirr away as you pedal. If it rattles, squeals or squeaks then something is wrong. It might be an expensive fix; you can take the risk that it won’t be too expensive and knock more off the purchase price, or walk away and move onto another option.

Your rights if things go wrong

Bought something and want to take it back? Consumer members can contact the Consumer Advice Line for help. Our advisers will talk you through your rights.

Buying new

If a product you buy is faulty or not of acceptable quality, you don’t have to put up with it. The Consumer Guarantees Act has got you covered – you don’t need a warranty. Here's more about how you can get a refund, repair or replacement for a faulty product.

Buying used

If you’re buying from a secondhand dealer (including those listed as “in trade” on Trade Me) and discover the product is faulty, you're covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act. The item should be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose and match the description. But you’re not covered by the act when buying privately. Here's more info about your rights when buying second hand goods.