Can you sell a motorbike that does not work?
Yes. Repairers, people replacing one component and buyers who want a project all shop deliberately at this end. None of them will accept a fault they discover after paying.
What actually goes wrong with motorbikes
These are the faults that move a motorbike down the grades, and the first things a buyer will ask about:
- Missing service history, which buyers discount heavily
- Corrosion on fasteners, forks and downpipes
- Crash damage, including replaced levers and scuffed bar ends
- Non-standard exhausts and modifications
Grading it honestly
Fair covers something heavily used, or with a described fault or missing part: around £225 to £2,250. For Parts covers something not working or incomplete, sold as seen: roughly £125 to £1,250. Grades are seller-declared and nobody inspects them for you, so grading up does not raise what you get — it produces a buyer who arrives expecting something else. All five grades explained.
Working out what you actually have
Establish the fault properly rather than guessing at it:
- Gather the service book, receipts and any MOT history
- Photograph the chain, sprockets and tyre tread
- Note mileage, owner count and the exact model year
Photographing the fault
Photograph the damage directly and in focus — it is the evidence that the rest of the description is honest:
- Both sides in daylight, full bike in frame
- The chain and rear sprocket close up
- The clocks showing the mileage
- The tyres showing tread, plus any scrape, dent or corrosion
What to state in the listing
Alongside the fault itself, buyers of broken motorbikes want these confirmed:
- Make, model, engine capacity, year and mileage
- MOT expiry, service history and number of previous owners
- Chain, sprocket and tyre condition, with approximate remaining life
- Any drop damage, modifications, or aftermarket parts fitted
Make, model, engine size, year and mileage: “Yamaha MT-07 689cc, 2019, 11,000 miles, MOT to June 2026”. Engine size matters for licence categories and is a primary filter. Mention if it is A2 licence compatible, which is a deliberate search among newer riders.
What buyers will ask
Answer these in the listing rather than waiting to be asked:
Answer honestly. Scraped bar ends, levers and engine casings are visible to any experienced rider, and denying it destroys trust instantly.
Measure the tread and check the chain for tight spots. These are known costs and buyers price them in without complaint when told.
Photograph the book and receipts. On motorbikes documented servicing is worth a real premium.
Is it worth repairing first?
Usually not, unless it is cheap and you can evidence it. What lifts the price is condition and completeness, which a repair rarely restores:
- A complete, stamped service history
- Recent tyres, chain and sprockets
- An MOT with meaningful time remaining where applicable
- One or two previous owners rather than many
If the work would cost more than the gap between £1,250 and what a sound one fetches, sell it as is broken and let the buyer decide.
When to list it
Strongly seasonal: March through August, peaking in spring. Selling a bike in December typically means accepting considerably less or waiting.
Getting it to the buyer
Confirm cleared funds before the keys and V5C move — WishThrift does not process or hold payment. If a buyer wants a test ride, check their licence and insurance first, and hold something of value while they are out.
WishThrift does not process payments, arrange delivery or hold funds. Confirm the money has cleared before the item leaves your hands, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed.
Ready to list it? Free to list, no commission, and neither side pays a buyer-protection fee — create a free account, or read the full motorbike selling guide if yours turns out to be sound.
Frequently asked questions
Is a broken motorbike worth anything?
Yes — typically £125 to £1,250 at For Parts against £500 to £5,000 working. Repairers and people harvesting one component buy deliberately at this end. Missing service history, which buyers discount heavily
Should I repair it before selling?
Usually not, unless the repair is cheap and you can evidence it. The things that genuinely lift the price are a complete, stamped service history and a repair rarely restores those.
What do buyers ask about a faulty motorbike?
The fault itself, in detail. Answer honestly. Scraped bar ends, levers and engine casings are visible to any experienced rider, and denying it destroys trust instantly. The listing that answers it before being asked is the one that sells.
See also: what motorbike is worth by condition · how to sell motorbike · condition grades explained · all broken & damaged guides · all selling guides.