Why You Should Think Twice Before Putting Your Motorbike on Sale or Return at a Dealership

If you're a biker in the UK and thinking about selling your motorcycle, you've probably come across dealerships offering “Sale or Return” (SOR) arrangements. On the surface, it might seem like a hassle-free way to get your bike sold—drop it off, let the dealer handle the sale, and collect your cash when it’s done. Sounds easy, right? Well, not so fast.

We’ve seen the pitfalls of SOR firsthand, and the stories we hear from customers are enough to make any biker think twice. In fact, we’ve bought countless bikes from frustrated owners who have had their pride and joy sat in dealership showrooms for months—sometimes even years—with no sale in sight. One particular case saw a bike sit untouched for 22 months before the owner finally gave up and came to us.

So, before you consider handing over your motorcycle to a dealer under a Sale or Return agreement, here’s what you need to know.

What is Sale or Return (SOR)?

“Sale or Return” means giving your bike to a dealer to sell on your behalf. You don’t get paid upfront. The dealer keeps the bike, markets it, and if it sells, you get paid—minus their cut. Sounds simple in theory, but the reality is often quite different.

The Pitfalls of SOR

1. Delays, Delays, Delays

If you're looking to free up cash quickly, SOR is not the way. Your bike could be sitting in a dealership for months—sometimes longer—without any bites. Meanwhile, you’re left waiting, wondering if or when the sale will happen.

Need that money for another bike, a bill, or just to move on? Tough luck. The dealer doesn’t have to rush, because there’s no risk to them.

2. Why Don’t They Just Buy It?

That’s the real question. If your bike is good enough to sell, why wouldn’t a reputable dealer simply buy it from you outright?

The answer comes down to cashflow.

Let’s say your bike is worth £20,000. If a dealer offers you the “we’ll sell it for you” deal, that’s £20,000 they don’t have to spend. They don’t have to tie up their own cash, take on any risk, or worry about how long it might take to sell. You’re effectively funding their showroom with your stock—for free.

Got 10 bikes on SOR? That’s £200,000 worth of inventory that the dealer didn’t pay a penny for, sitting pretty in the showroom and making them look busy. It’s a win-win… for them. Not for you.

And here’s the thing: if a dealer can’t afford to buy your bike outright, that would seriously worry us. After all, if their business is healthy and they believe your bike will sell, why wouldn’t they put their money where their mouth is? If they can't commit to purchasing it upfront, what does that say about their financial position—or their confidence in the sale?

3. The Test Ride Problem

A common promise is: “No one will test ride your bike.” But let’s be honest—would you spend £20,000 on a bike without riding it first?

Of course not.

And do you really think a dealer will risk losing a sale over a test ride when they’ve invested nothing into the bike? We’ve heard the stories—buyers test ride bikes on SOR, things happen, and guess who’s left to pick up the pieces? You.

4. Financial Risk to You, Not Them

SOR also opens the door to serious financial risks. Take the case of a now-defunct dealer who got into financial trouble. When creditors came knocking, customer bikes—still owned by private sellers—were locked down as assets. Owners couldn’t retrieve their bikes, and some never saw their money again.

In one disturbing case, a customer’s bike was sold, and the dealer didn’t pay them for weeks. Instead, they used that money to buy and flip other bikes, essentially using the customer’s sale as an interest-free loan.

Is that a risk you’re really willing to take?

5. We’re Bikers Too — And This Is Our Honest Advice

Here at anybikebought.com, we’re not just in the business—we’re bikers ourselves. We understand what it means to part with a machine you’ve cared for, upgraded, and taken pride in. That’s exactly why we’re giving you the honest advice we’d give a mate at the pub.

We wouldn’t let our own bikes sit in someone else’s showroom without a penny in the bank—and neither should you.

Whether it’s worth £3,000 or £30,000, your bike deserves more than being used as free window dressing while someone else waits for a buyer. You deserve certainty, and you deserve to be paid straight away.

If It’s Good Enough, a Dealer Will Buy It

Here’s the bottom line: if your motorcycle is in good condition and worth what you say it is, any reputable dealer will buy it outright—no messing around.

They’ll make a fair offer, pay you on the spot, and take it off your hands. No delays. No test ride roulette. No wondering if your bike will sit unsold for the next two years while your money is tied up.

Choose the Smart Route—Sell Direct

At anybikebought.com, we do things differently.

We’ll offer you the best price in the UK—no time-wasting, no sales fluff, and no SOR nonsense. Just a simple, fast, and secure way to sell your bike. You’ll have the money in your bank the same day. No waiting. No wondering. No stress.

So before you fall for the “we can sell it for you” pitch, ask yourself: do you really want to become part of someone else’s stock list for months on end?

Sell it. Get paid. Move on.

Visit us at anybikebought.com and get a proper deal for your motorcycle—today.