Online-First used motorcycle dealer
Buy pre-owned bikes and scooters, tidy them up and sell to riders online from a garage or storage unit.
- C$15k-50k
- Part-time
- Online
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small licensed dealership with no showroom. You source used motorcycles and scooters from trade-ins, auctions and private sellers. You clean and inspect them, then list them online and show them by appointment from a garage or rented storage unit.
Your first three steps
- Contact your provincial motor vehicle regulator to find out what a dealer registration involves where you live
- Price your costs: licence, bond, garage liability insurance, storage space, and cash for your first 3 to 5 bikes
- Line up a mechanic for safety inspections and test how similar bikes are priced on Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace and AutoTrader
Who pays
Riders looking for a bike that costs less than new, including first-time riders, commuters, weekend riders and people moving up from a smaller bike.
How it makes money
You earn the gap between what you pay for a bike (plus prep, safety work and fees) and your sale price. Some dealers add paperwork or financing referral fees. Income is lumpy and follows the riding season.
Skills that help
- Knowing motorcycles and what they are worth
- Negotiating when buying and selling
- Good photos and honest listings
- Basic mechanical checking, or a mechanic you trust
Watch out for
- Selling vehicles as a business usually needs dealer registration in your province, and unlicensed selling ('curbstoning') can bring fines. Check your regulator before buying stock
- Home-based premises may need municipal zoning approval or a home-based business licence, and some regulators require a set-up for storing and showing vehicles
- Garage liability and inventory insurance, which differs from standard commercial liability
- Safety standards or inspections that may be required before a bike can be sold, which differ by province
- Checking for liens, stolen bikes and accurate odometer or history details before you buy
- Winter slowdowns in most provinces, so plan cash flow for months with few sales
- GST/HST or provincial sales tax rules on used vehicle sales, which differ by province. Check with the CRA and your province
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: online-first used motorcycle dealer
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 dealer business in Canada?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $50,000, depending on how many bikes you buy upfront, your storage or garage setup, and insurance. Treat this as an estimate and check your provincial dealer requirements before buying stock.
How much can an online used motorcycle dealer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on how many bikes you sell and their prices. The estimate is for at least about 15 hours a week. Winter slowdowns are worth planning cash flow around.
What rules should I check before selling used motorcycles in Canada?
Check whether your province requires dealer registration, since unlicensed selling can bring fines. Also check home-based zoning or licence rules, garage liability and inventory insurance, safety inspections, liens and odometer history, and GST/HST or provincial sales tax rules.
Other ways to run this business
Similar car and vehicle ideas
Propane conversions from a rented garage bay
Rent a bay in an existing garage and convert a few fleet vehicles a month to propane.
- C$15k-50k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Tune-up bay in a rented unit
Rent a small garage bay or unit and focus on quick, affordable routine tune-ups.
- C$10k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Window tinting shop
Run a small heated tint bay where drivers and fleets book in for tint, all year round.
- C$15k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Trackside motorsport parts trailer
Take a stocked trailer to race weekends and track days to sell tyres, consumables and gear where racers need them.
- C$15k-50k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile exhaust repair service
Repair exhaust leaks, broken hangers and damaged pipes at customers' homes and yards from a equipped van.
- C$15k-45k
- Part-time
- Out and about
ATV and quad repair workshop
Run a small rented bay or shop that repairs, services and winterizes ATVs and side-by-sides.
- C$12k-55k
- Full-time
- Own premises