Sale choices
No one wants to think about selling their bike, but life happens. Whether you're selling to upgrade or because you can't ride anymore, the process for selling your bike privately or to a dealer remains the same.
Related: How do I sell my motorbike in South Africa?
It doesn't matter if your bike is a rare model, a classic machine, or a run-of-the-mill motorcycle; you will need to decide which sales route will be easiest for you, considering that both options have pros and cons.
What are the legal requirements for selling a motorbike in South Africa?
Private sale
Selling privately will take longer, but you can most likely get the most money in return, as you are selling directly to a buyer who recognises the bike's true value. Some paperwork is involved here, with e-Natis forms and roadworthy documents. Sellers can use classifieds, social media platforms, and sites like AutoTrader to facilitate the sale.
Pros
- Make more money on the sale
- More control over the sale
Cons
- Have to deal with private buyers
- A lot of paperwork and certification
- Potential for fraud
- Risky test riders
- Time-consuming
Dealer sale
A dealer is not buying your bike for sentimental reasons or personal use. The idea for the dealer is to buy low and sell high. The dealer takes the risk of buying your car when it may not be easy to sell at a profit. For this reason, he may have to invest extra money in any necessary repairs. So, for all these reasons, a dealer will not offer you a price as high as you could achieve by selling your car privately.
Pro's
- The dealer will take care of the paperwork
- Secure transaction
- Single point of contact on the sale
- No advertising costs
Cons
- Less money for your bike
Getting the most for your bike privately or at a dealer
You should research the bike's current retail value by logging onto AutoTrader and checking what similar models are selling for. Many dealers use AutoTrader to get an idea of the bike's current value because AutoTrader has such a wide reach in the South African market.
If taking the private route, present your bike properly by taking it for professional cleaning before you show it to a dealer. Experts agree that any money you spend on a valet will be recouped in the selling price.
Go ahead and repair any obvious faults on the bike. Visual (bodywork) faults are the most important, as they constitute first impressions (which, as we have all been told by our mothers or grandmothers, are lasting impressions)
Lastly, take it to at least three dealerships before agreeing on a sale to ensure you are at least being offered a reasonable “market” price.
