Buying a 2nd hand bike - warranty help?

DJ · 1st December 2008, 21:29

I'm starting to shop around for my upgrade from my 250cc, and I'm wondering what the "norm" is for warranties for 2nd hand bikes from a dealer?

I figured buying from trademe is no-warranty and buyer-beware, but from past experience when buying a car, a caryard can generally chuck on a warranty on a 2nd hand vehicle.

What's the deal with motorbikes?
Toddled down to a local (unnamed) dealership on weekend and saw a 2nd hand bike (only a few years old) that would suit me, but when I asked about warranties they just kept saying consumer guarantee act will cover it and telling me a vague "we will fix it, depending on how long you've had it and the distance you've travelled", but would not give me a timeframe or distance.

A bit non-committal I thought, and leaves a lot of room for argument.

I also asked if they service the bikes before selling and I was told that they get a 'check over'.

Is this the norm? Or am I expecting too much to have a xx month warranty (or xxx kms)? Or shall I run scared?

(keep in mind I'm not an expert on bikes and only been riding a year, so giving the bike an indepth once-over is a little tricky.)

any opinions / suggestions appreciated

~DJ

**disenfranchised** · 2nd December 2008, 07:09

I've heard 3 months bandied about as pretty normal for dealer sales of secondhand bikes.

I'm not sure what the act provides for...it seems vague...and probably only relates to immediate problems.

I wouldn't buy anything without getting exact details of the timeframe to sort out issues though

**supraman_nz** · 2nd December 2008, 07:20

Yeah it does seem that within a few months problems should be sorted out with a dealer.
I was taught a good tip when I worked in the car industry, as soon as you buy it take it for a service some where else and if that throws up any problems go back and get them fixed.
It sounds like what you want is an extended warrenty and dont you purchase these? I havnt heard of any (not to say there isnt) dealers offering a specific xx month warrenty with 2nd hand bikes.
If you are after that I would say you would have to pay..

Hope that helps

**klyong82** · 2nd December 2008, 07:39

Buying a second hand bike from a dealer usually is more expensive than buying privately but usually the bikes will come with 3 months warranty. I heard some places in Auckland offer 1 month warranty but I suppose all these conditions are subject to negotiation.

When I bought a bike from a dealer (not the current bike) I managed to negotiate with the dealer for 6 month warranty, 1 year rego and wof, 20% off apparels and oil and filter change on the bike. Mine you that extra 3 month warranty came in handy.

This same bike shop offered me a good deal again when I was looking for another bike offering me this and that extras....so the thing is you should shop around and ask dealers what they are willing to offer you extra whether it be accessories and warranties. I am pretty sure they want your money and will be willing to sit down with you and talk business

I love bike shopping

**slimjim** · 2nd December 2008, 07:56

yes heard too the norm seems to be three month's...but note too that once you ride out of their yard..they have no control on how you use it...and this can be their intent to walk away from troubles within the said three months...they buy and sell a second hand bike in .."Good Faith"..so they don't have a lot of histroy of serviceing if not orginally sold from new by them..

DJ · 2nd December 2008, 15:01

thanks for all the comments - very helpful. The dealer did package in some gear, etc and it came to a good price, they just got vague on warranty. Mind you they knew me buying was dependent on me selling my current bike, so once I go back in with cold hard green stuff I may get a slightly different reaction (I hope so anyway! ).

~DJ

**The Pastor** · 2nd December 2008, 16:38

Consumer garantees act covers you, it covers the bike for its expected life time - not sure what a bikes life time would be but i'd assume 10 years or 100 000km give or take.

Total bitch going through that system tho

**imdying** · 2nd December 2008, 16:45

Originally Posted by renegade master

Consumer garantees act covers you, it covers the bike for its expected life time - not sure what a bikes life time would be but i'd assume 10 years or 100 000km give or take.

Total bitch going through that system tho

Not on secondhand goods.

There's a legal obligation for 3 months warranty, and a WOF that is no less than 28 days old iirc.

**The Pastor** · 2nd December 2008, 16:47

YES IT COVERS 2ND HAND GOODS

http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/c...cga/index.html

The Act covers

* goods of a type that people ordinarily buy for personal or household use, such as clothes, washing machines, cars
* services of a type that people ordinarily have carried out for a personal or household purpose, such as car repairs, haircuts, dry cleaning, painting or work done by a lawyer
* new and used goods bought on or after 1 April 1994.

From 8 July 2003, the Consumer Guarantees Act applies to electricity, gas, water and computer software. From this date, the Consumer Guarantees Act also applies to services relating to the supply of electricity, telecommunications, gas, water, and the removal of wastewater

**The Stranger:Me** · 2nd December 2008, 16:51

Originally Posted by DJ

thanks for all the comments - very helpful. The dealer did package in some gear, etc and it came to a good price, they just got vague on warranty. Mind you they knew me buying was dependent on me selling my current bike, so once I go back in with cold hard green stuff I may get a slightly different reaction (I hope so anyway! ).

~DJ

That is interesting. Most car dealers cite a warranty as a main reason for paying more for the privilege of buying through them.
I have only ever bought second hand from one dealer (except one bike still under manufacturer’s warranty), and I know damn well they would take care of me if the machine was faulty at the time of purchase. Were I to buy from any other dealer second hand I would want a warranty in writing.

DJ · 2nd December 2008, 17:38

Originally Posted by imdying

Not on secondhand goods.

There's a legal obligation for 3 months warranty, and a WOF that is no less than 28 days old iirc.

That would be awesome if there was...but where did you hear this?

~DJ

**AllanB** · 2nd December 2008, 18:02

3 months is really shit. Especially if it is a late model low km bike that has obviously been well cared for. It's time some dealers stepped up and extended this.
I got 9 months on a 2 year old, 2,000km Suzuki a couple of years ago - the dealer was more than happy to write this on the sale card.

If you have a bike you are interested in ask and if its only got a 3 month warranty start talking to the sales person.

**danchop** · 2nd December 2008, 21:51

lke renegade said,with the introduction of the new motor vehichle act a couple of years ago,all vehicles are now covered by the consumer act which by most counts can be claimed up to 7 years from purchase within reason,and because not many consumers know thier rights and the cost of a dispute could be more than the problem itself,its a hard one but never buy a warranty with a vehicle-its worthless