Used motorcycle and scooter showroom

Buy, prepare and sell pre-owned bikes and scooters to local riders from a small showroom or yard.

Startup costA$40k to A$150k
Monthly revenueA$30k to A$120k
Time needed35+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • A$40k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
  • Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.

What it is

A small licensed dealership selling used road bikes, learner-approved bikes and scooters from a unit, yard or small showroom. You source bikes from trade-ins, private sellers and auctions, get them cleaned and checked, and sell them to riders.

Your first three steps

  1. Contact your state or territory motor dealer licensing body to find out the dealer licence requirements and premises rules
  2. Price up a suitable unit or yard and work out how much cash you need for your first 8 to 12 bikes
  3. Line up a mechanic for inspections and a reliable way to run PPSR and stolen vehicle checks on every bike you buy
Who pays

New and returning riders, learners looking for a first bike, commuters and weekend riders who want a good-value used bike with a dealer behind it.

How it makes money

The margin between what you pay for a bike and what you sell it for, plus extras like finance referrals, accessories, helmets and gear, and optional warranties through a third-party provider.

Skills that help
  • Knowing bikes and spotting problems
  • Negotiating when buying and selling
  • Customer service and honest dealing
  • Basic record keeping and cash flow management
Watch out for
  • A motor dealer licence is generally needed to sell vehicles as a business, and rules differ by state and territory, so check with your licensing body
  • Check every bike for money owing (PPSR), stolen or written-off history, and make sure the seller has the right to sell
  • Roadworthy or safety certificate rules at sale differ by state, so check what applies to you
  • Statutory warranty and Australian Consumer Law obligations on used vehicles
  • Public liability, garage keepers and stock insurance, plus council zoning for a showroom or yard
  • Money tied up in stock, with slow sales in winter in cooler areas

Deep research report · Australia

Everything you need to start: used motorcycle and scooter showroom

Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a used motorcycle dealership?

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your premises and how much stock you buy. These are estimates. Money tied up in stock is a big factor, so plan your cash flow carefully.

Do I need a licence to sell used motorbikes in Australia?

A motor dealer licence is generally needed to sell vehicles as a business, and rules differ by state and territory, so check with your licensing body. Also check PPSR history on every bike, roadworthy or safety certificate rules, and statutory warranty and Australian Consumer Law obligations.

How much revenue can a used bike dealer make?

Monthly revenue is typically around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on stock levels, location and season. Sales can be slow in winter in cooler areas. Hours are estimated at 35 or more a week.

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