Used motorcycle dealer with a small yard
Buy, prepare and sell quality second-hand bikes from a small yard or showroom to local riders.
- A$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small licensed used motorcycle dealership. You source bikes from trade-ins, auctions and private sellers, tidy and check them, then sell them from a small yard or showroom. Many also offer basic servicing, accessories and help with finance.
Your first three steps
- Contact your state or territory's licensing body to find out what dealer licence and premises rules apply, and what it will cost
- Price up a small yard or unit that your council zoning allows, and draw up a simple budget for stock, insurance and advertising
- Line up a few sources of stock (auctions, trade-ins, private buyers) and a reliable mechanic or workshop partner for pre-sale checks
Who pays
Local riders, including learners upgrading to a first bike, commuters and weekend riders looking for a reliable second-hand machine.
How it makes money
The margin between what you pay for a bike and the sale price, plus extras such as accessories, servicing, finance or insurance referral commissions where allowed.
Skills that help
- Good knowledge of motorcycles and fair values
- Negotiating when buying and selling
- Basic mechanical sense, or a trusted mechanic
- Customer service and honest dealing
Watch out for
- Most states and territories require a motor dealer licence to sell vehicles in the course of business. Check your state's rules and any character or premises requirements
- Check each bike on the PPSR for money owing, and confirm it isn't stolen or written off
- Roadworthy or safety certificate rules and statutory warranty obligations differ by state, so check what applies to you
- Australian Consumer Law applies, so describe bikes accurately and keep good records
- Ask an accountant about GST and whether the margin scheme applies to second-hand stock
- Stock ties up a lot of cash, and bikes can take a while to sell. Check dealer or garage insurance as well as public liability
- Check council zoning and approvals before signing a lease on a yard
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: used motorcycle dealer with a small yard
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
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a used motorcycle dealership in Australia?
Startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on your premises and how much stock you buy. These are estimates only, so build your own budget from real quotes for the yard, bikes and insurance.
Do I need a licence to sell used motorcycles in Australia?
Most states and territories require a motor dealer licence to sell vehicles in the course of business. Check your state's rules, including any character or premises requirements, plus PPSR checks, roadworthy rules and statutory warranty obligations.
How much revenue can a used motorcycle dealer make?
Monthly revenue is typically around $20,000 to $100,000, depending on how many bikes you sell and at what prices. That is revenue, not profit, and stock can tie up a lot of cash while bikes wait to sell.
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