How much is my motorcycle worth?

If you're thinking about selling your motorcycle, you're probably asking yourself the million-dollar question: how much is my motorcycle worth? It's the same question anyone interested in putting their motorcycle up for sale asks, whether to buy a new one, exchange it for a better one, or simply because they've grown tired of it. However, answering that question isn't easy, as we need to assess different aspects that will allow us to value the motorcycle at an appropriate price that aligns with the market.

Before we delve into analysing the different aspects to know how much we buy your motorcycle for, you should be aware that vehicles are among the assets that lose market value most rapidly. In fact, when you take your newly purchased motorcycle out of the dealership, you are already losing 20%, and during the first three or four years, it will lose 10% annually. After that, the annual loss of value reduces to 5%, but you could find that it's worth half the price you paid for it.

Calculating the Depreciated Value (Spanish: valor venal) for Selling a Motorcycle

The depreciated value (valor venal) is the price a used asset, such as a motorcycle, can fetch in the market. You might be familiar with it because it's the criterion used by experts to calculate compensation related to vehicles, but it can also help estimate its market price before selling any second-hand vehicle. With cars, it's relatively straightforward, as the BOE publishes very precise data by make and age, but for motorcycles, only engine capacity and age are considered.

Hacienda publishes a valuation table based on motorcycle engine capacity at the end of each year. The least valuable category is motorcycles under 50 cc, and the best valued are those exceeding 1200.01 cc.

The first thing you'll need to do is check your motorcycle's engine capacity and look up its value in the table. Then you must compare that data with the loss of value due to age, which changes year by year. You'll just need to subtract the percentage for age from the motorcycle's value, and you will have the depreciated value (valor venal).

With this data, you can get a first approximate idea of your motorcycle's price, but it's not a 100% accurate calculation. It's important to remember that the depreciated value (valor venal) is an average calculated by the Ministry of Hacienda, so there are more factors that influence the total value of the motorcycle you want to sell. Even so, it's always interesting to know the depreciated value (valor venal) to have a starting point when setting the asking price or negotiating with potential buyers interested in your motorcycle.

Factors Affecting Motorcycle Valuation

We also have the option of taking the motorcycle to a motorcycle valuation or buying and selling establishment to get a price. In our favour is the fact that an expert will evaluate the motorcycle, and they will do so with the vehicle present, without relying on average tables like those for the depreciated value (valor venal). Against us is that they might offer a value lower than the real one, especially if it's a free valuation for the subsequent sale of the motorcycle. There are aspects that help us increase the price and others that work against us.

How much is my motorcycle worth: what increases the price of a used motorcycle

Good motorcycle maintenance is the best way to ensure a good price when selling it in the second-hand market. A fairing in perfect condition without a scratch, newly installed tyres, or headlights that illuminate correctly will help you increase your motorcycle's value. The same applies to mechanics in good condition. In addition to maintenance, if it has low mileage, you'll be able to get a better price than if it's heavily used.

The best way to certify that your motorcycle is in good condition is to have all services completed. What's more, having recently passed the ITV (vehicle inspection) is one of the factors that help increase the price of any vehicle, motorcycles included, as it's the best guarantee you can provide to show it's in perfect condition to go on the road without problems, that it meets emissions standards, and that everything is in order. Any extras you may have installed on the motorcycle will also increase its value in the used market.

What reduces the price of a used motorcycle

On the other side of the scale, we find precisely the opposite. For example, we lose value if the fairing shows scratches or dents, if the tyres are worn, if a light isn't working properly... The same happens if you don't have the service history book or haven't passed the ITV (vehicle inspection), the motorcycle's value will be reduced. The price will also be affected if it has a long history of breakdowns or mileage higher than appropriate for its age.

Calculating the Motorcycle's Value Online

One last option you have is to use calculators or online valuations, which give an approximate value as they don't consider aspects such as the ITV (vehicle inspection), extras, or the motorcycle's overall good condition. Normally, we enter the registration number, motorcycle model, and mileage, and the calculator gives us an approximate value that is also related to the depreciated value (valor venal) we've already discussed.

Before selling a motorcycle, we recommend that you study the motorcycles for sale to look for models like yours or similar ones and get an idea of what they are asking for them. This will allow you to know how the market is, whether you can ask for more or less – although the urgency to sell can be a determining factor in this regard – and check if the data obtained from the appraiser, the depreciated value (valor venal), or the calculator are accurate or not. If you take these points into account, you will be able to value your motorcycle as precisely as possible to sell it at the best possible price.