Before you startGeneral guidance from our members' experience, checked against the sources listed at the foot of this page. Old bicycles vary, so check everything against your own bike. Brakes, steering, wheels and tyres are safety-critical: if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do or check the work. Any work you do is at your own risk. See our terms.
Most bad listings follow a few patterns. Once you know them, they stand out.
| Pattern | How to spot it |
|---|---|
| A stolen bike | No frame number, or one that's been filed off. The seller doesn't know the bike's history, wants cash only and to meet in a car park. Check the frame number on BikeRegister's BikeChecker. |
| A model 'upgraded' to look like a better one | Parts swapped to match a top model's specification. Check the frame number, head badge and transfers against the catalogue for that model. |
| 'Original paint' that isn't | Ask for close photos of the bottom bracket threads, the frame number and the cable stops. See Original paint or respray? |
| A phantom listing | A price well below the market and a seller who wants payment before you can view it. Genuine sellers let you view. |
| Mislabelled tubing | A plain-gauge frame sold as Reynolds 531. Transfers can be moved between frames, so a transfer alone doesn't prove it. |
| A 'project' with hidden damage | Photos that avoid the bottom bracket, the underside of the chainstays and the dropouts. View it in person. |
| A bike built from several bikes | Parts from different eras, or a fork that looks newer than the frame. |
| The wrong size | No frame measurements in the listing. Ask for the seat tube length, measured from the centre of the bottom bracket. |
Before you pay
- View in personEspecially for anything expensive.
- Check the frame numberBikeRegister's BikeChecker is free: enter the frame number. It can't help if the owner never registered the bike.
- Photograph the frame numberRetro Raleighs explains Raleigh frame numbers, but warns that dating by number is approximate and many bikes are newer than the number suggests.
- Pay safelyOn eBay, pay through eBay's own checkout: eBay says payments made through it are covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee, and offline payments aren't. For a private sale in person, cash on collection.
- Ask why they're sellingA story that changes is a warning sign.
Sources
Checked 19 October 2026. Method tips without a source are our members' experience.