Used motorcycle dealership
Buy, prepare and sell used motorcycles from a small lot or showroom, with simple servicing and accessories on the side.
- C$30k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small dealership selling pre-owned motorcycles, scooters and sometimes ATVs from a rented unit or lot. You source bikes from trade-ins, auctions and private sellers, inspect and detail them, then sell them to local riders. Basic accessories, helmets and gear can add extra sales.
Your first three steps
- Contact your provincial motor vehicle regulator to find out the dealer licensing, bonding and premises requirements before you spend any money
- Price a rented unit or lot, and check zoning with your municipality, then build a budget for your first 10 to 20 bikes
- Line up your supply (local auctions, trade-in contacts, private sellers) and set up a way to run history checks and show clean paperwork
Who pays
Local riders, including first-time buyers, returning riders and people upgrading, who want a vetted bike with some support behind it.
How it makes money
The margin between what you pay for a bike (plus prep costs) and its sale price. Extra income can come from accessories, gear, consignment fees, and service or safety inspection work.
Skills that help
- Knowing motorcycles and how to judge their condition and value
- Buying and negotiating
- Customer service and sales
- Basic bookkeeping and record keeping
Watch out for
- Most provinces require a motor vehicle dealer licence (for example through OMVIC in Ontario, AMVIC in Alberta or the Vehicle Sales Authority in BC), and Quebec has its own rules; check yours
- Rules on disclosure, liens, safety inspections and sales contracts; selling a bike with an undisclosed lien or a previous write-off can lead to serious trouble
- Garage and dealer insurance, commercial general liability and cover for stock on site and test rides
- Sales are strongly seasonal in most provinces, so plan cash flow for the winter months
- Inventory ties up a lot of cash, and unsold bikes lose value
- GST/HST or PST/QST rules on used vehicle sales vary by province; check with an accountant
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: used motorcycle dealership
Researched with live web search for Canada: 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?
Estimated startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on premises, how many bikes you stock and insurance. Inventory ties up a lot of cash, and unsold bikes lose value.
How much revenue can a used motorcycle dealer make?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on stock, pricing and location. Sales are strongly seasonal in most provinces, so plan cash flow for the winter months.
Do I need a licence to sell used motorcycles in Canada?
Check whether your province requires a motor vehicle dealer licence (such as OMVIC, AMVIC or the Vehicle Sales Authority in BC; Quebec has its own rules). Also check disclosure, lien and safety inspection rules, dealer insurance, and tax on used vehicle sales.
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