Help needed with puchasing moped/scooter

[brix]

So, I don't have a driving licence and, up to now, public transport has served me very well (well, most of the time anyway). But, the nature of my work is changing and I need to get a bit more mobile. I think a 50cc moped/scooter is the way to go.

I know I need to get a provisional licence and do my CBT. But I don't know where to start with buying scooter. I haven't got that much to spend (£500 max) and I don't know whether I'm better off buying a new but unheard of make, or buying a used one that's a more well known make. How do you know what to look for when buying one, used or new, anyway?

I don't suppose there's a kind, Brixton based, urb who might be able to advise and point me in the right direction. There'll be a pint (or several) in it for them.

 

[T & P]

It might be slightly more expensive than buying private, but many scooter dealers will sell second hand ones as well. 'Scooters!' on the Fulham Road or BMG Scooters also in Chelsea do sell them, I believe. I am not sure you could get anything decent new for £500 to be honest.

I have a Vespa ET2 and they are fairly reliable but there is a design fault wherebuy anyone can just prop their hand up the bodywork and pull the fuel line to nick your petrol. It's happened to me about 4-5 times over the years so if you do get a Vespa check if the model in question suffers from this. If it does you might want to buy a bike cover and secure it every night. They could still slice it open of course but it does seem to act as a deterrent.

 

[brix]

It might be slightly more expensive than buying private, but many scooter dealers will sell second hand ones as well. 'Scooters!' on the Fulham Road or BMG Scooters also in Chelsea do sell them, I believe. I am not sure you could get anything decent new for £500 to be honest.

I have a Vespa ET2 and they are fairly reliable but there is a design fault wherebuy anyone can just prop their hand up the bodywork and pull the fuel line to nick your petrol. It's happened to me about 4-5 times over the years so if you do get a Vespa check if the model in question suffers from this. If it does you might want to buy a bike cover and secure it every night. They could still slice it open of course but it does seem to act as a deterrent.

I think a dealer would be a good way to go. Isn't there one in Vauxhall too? I'm just worried because, as I say, I'm just not sure what I'm looking for and I don't want to end up with something that's on it's last legs

You can get these from Ebay for £495 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=130236739962&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=003 but god know what they're like.

These are £550 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=230269928636&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=013 and come with lock, top box and helmet. Again, are they a bargain, or am I just chucking money away?

Good advice about the fuel line thing. Thank you.

 

[Oswaldtwistle]

I
You can get these from Ebay for £495 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=130236739962&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=003 but god know what they're like.

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If you read the not-very-small small print, it is another 55 quid to register it and 15 quid to tax it. And I hope their scooters are better than their spelling!

 

[brix]

If you read the not-very-small small print, it is another 55 quid to register it and 15 quid to tax it. And I hope their scooters are better than their spelling!

Yeah I know, but isn't that standard*? Oh I don't know - it's all TOO confusing

* The fees I mean, not the spelling!