How to Buy Cheap Gas Scooters

Buying a cheap scooter or motorcycle can be paradoxical if you don't know what you're doing, since a scooter that's in poor shape will require a considerable investment. Here are some pointers that can help you avoid getting ripped off.

Things You'll Need

• Money
• Internet Access

Instructions

Before Buying

1. Be wary of the Internet. Buying a used scooter from eBay or Craigslist isn't a good idea unless the seller is a local business, or unless you're looking for a scooter that needs a lot of work.

2. Take a look at the scooter for sale, and then take at least a day to think it over. As with any sale, buyers should beware aggressive sales pitches or extreme deadlines. If the seller insists on parting with it at once or canceling the sale, something is fishy.

3. Do the research. You're likely to find a number of websites devoted mainly to the scooter you're interested in. If you can't find any, this should be a red flag that this is a pretty rare vehicle and might be troublesome to maintain. Find out if the make and model are known for cumbersome problems, wear out easily, or have parts that are difficult to find.

4. Get the owner's manual. Unless you're an expert, make sure that you have a complete manual in hand before money is exchanged. You're going to be the one maintaining your scooter; taking it to a mechanic for every little problem will quickly turn your cheap scooter into a black hole of money.

5. Familiarize yourself with the motor vehicle laws in your area. Whether your scooter needs to be inspected or insured--and whether you'll need a motorcycle license to operate it--usually depends on the size of the engine, but laws vary from state to state. If the scooter does require inspection, find out if the inspection is up-to-date before you purchase.