Used motorcycle shop with a workshop

Local riders, commuters, new riders after a first bike, and returning riders looking for a reliable machine.

Margin on each bike sold, workshop labour for servicing and repairs, and extra sales of parts, helmets and riding gear.

• Motorcycle mechanical knowledge
• Spotting good bikes at a fair buying price
• Customer service and negotiation
• Basic bookkeeping and stock control

• Motor trade insurance, public liability insurance, and employer's liability once you hire
• Consumer rights: bikes sold by a trader must be as described and of satisfactory quality, so check what that means for used stock and warranties
• Run history checks on every bike for finance owed, theft or write-off records
• Offering finance to customers may need Financial Conduct Authority permission, check before you do
• Disposal of waste oil, tyres and batteries needs the right arrangements, and MOT testing needs separate DVSA approval
• Tied-up cash: unsold stock can sit for months, especially in winter

Startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £50,000, depending on the unit, the bikes you buy, workshop equipment and insurance. These are estimates, and unsold stock can tie up cash for months, especially in winter.

Check motor trade, public liability and employer's liability insurance, and what consumer rights mean for used stock and warranties. Also check history for finance, theft or write-offs, whether offering finance needs FCA permission, waste disposal, and DVSA approval for MOT testing.

Monthly revenue is typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on how many bikes you sell and how much servicing and gear you add. Unsold stock can sit for months, so plan your cash flow.