If buying a used motorcycle gives you nightmares, then Yamaha UK has the answer in the form of a new certified pre-owned platform for second-hand bikes.

Yamaha Launches Certified pre-Owned Platform in the UK

Buying a used motorcycle, from a dealer or as a private sale, is not one of the most relaxing things you can do. The are many pitfalls, and the risks great, especially if you choose not to have an official inspection done by the AA, RAC, or any other body that looks out for consumers' interests.

That's not to say, of course, that the vast majority of dealers or private sellers are not to be completely trusted. Quite the opposite, in fact. But no matter who you buy from, do they really know what is going on inside the engine? An oil change can tell you so much but might not divulge the full extent of any damage.

It's not only hidden damage that can be the problem: outstanding finance, a stolen bike, or an insurance write-off can all mean huge headaches for the new owner.

This has prompted Yamaha UK to launch its new platform called “Certified Pre-Owned” for second-hand Yamahas in Britain. The main objective is to bring peace of mind to the buying of used Yamahas. To get certification from Yamaha, any bike has to be “checked and approved by a certified Yamaha dealer,” according to the press release.

“For a machine to be advertised via the Certified Pre-Owned programme, the dealer will have to conduct a full mileage investigation, check that the previous owner has paid off any outstanding finance, and that the bike has not been stolen or subject to an insurance write-off,” according to Yamaha.

Any Yamaha that passes the Certified Pre-Owned examination will be marketed with a 12 months warranty and Yamaha Motor Roadside Assistance.

“The introduction of our new Certified Pre-Owned platform gives customers a ‘one stop shop’ to search for their approved used Yamaha motorcycle or scooter, where they can see all of the UK Franchised Dealer stock in one place,” said Andy Pumfrey, Yamaha Motor UK’s Divisional Manager of New Business.

“The platform has been designed with an easy to use search function enabling customers to view by model type and location, meaning it has never been easier to find a used Yamaha with the added peace of mind that each bike has been quality checked and comes with a year’s warranty and roadside assistance.”

You can look at the Yamaha Certified Pre-Owned bikes on a new page on Yamaha’s website, here