Bike already gone?
Call 999 if it's in progress, otherwise 101. Then add it to the Cyclesite registry and post a sighting alert in c/stolen-bike-alerts.
Multiple UK databases
Cross-checked in one go
Results in seconds
No signup, no waiting
Free forever
For any UK frame number
Reading the result
Three verdicts. Clear next steps.
Every check returns one of three outcomes — and tells you exactly what to do.
Clear
No stolen reports found across the registries we check. Encouraging, but not a guarantee.
Verify the number physically at the viewing and look for tampering.
Caution
A risk signal turned up — a previous flag, a recent re-listing, or partial database match.
Ask for proof of purchase and inspect the frame-number area carefully.
Stolen
Match against a confirmed theft report on a UK stolen-bike database.
Do not buy. Do not confront the seller. Leave safely and call 101.
How it works
Three steps. Under a minute.
Find the frame number
Stamped under the bottom bracket on 95% of UK bikes — 7–14 characters. Never a sticker.
Run the check
Cross-checked against UK stolen-bike databases and Cyclesite community reports in seconds. No signup, no stored search.
Read the verdict
Clear, Caution or Stolen — each with the next step spelled out. If flagged, do not pay or collect.
Report
Report a stolen bike
Add it to our stolen-bike registry, visible to every Cyclesite buyer.
Directory
UK police forces
Direct links to every UK police force's online reporting form.
Check
Run a frame-number check
Look up any UK frame number against Cyclesite's registry and the UK stolen-bike databases.
In-depth guides
Stolen-bike resources
Long-form coverage of frame numbers, registries, recovery tactics and what to do if your bike is taken.
How to Check If a Bike Is Stolen Before You Buy (UK, 2026)
Step-by-step checks for a used bike in the UK: frame number search, receipt verification, UK stolen-bike database cross-check and Cyclesite's free stolen-bike lookup.
Read guideHow to Find Your Bike's Frame Number (Serial Number Guide, UK)
Where to find your bike's frame number on road, MTB, e-bike and folding frames. Includes photos, brand-specific locations, and what to do if the serial is missing.
Read guideMy Bike Was Stolen — What to Do in the First 48 Hours (UK)
Exact steps if your bike is stolen in the UK: report to police for a crime reference, list on stolen-bike databases, notify insurance, check resale sites and run a frame-number sweep.
Read guideStolen Trek Bikes: How to Check and Report (UK Frame-Number Lookup)
Check a Trek frame number against the UK stolen-bike database. Covers Domane, Émonda, Madone, Marlin, Fuel EX, Powerfly and all Trek models. Free, instant.
Read guideStolen Specialized Bikes: Frame-Number Check (UK, Free)
Run a Specialized frame number through the UK stolen-bike database. Covers Tarmac, Allez, Roubaix, Stumpjumper, Rockhopper, Turbo Levo and all Specialized models.
Read guideStolen Giant Bikes: UK Frame-Number Check (Free, Instant)
Check a Giant frame number against UK stolen-bike records. Covers Defy, TCR, Propel, Trance, Reign, Stance, Escape and all Giant/Liv models.
Read guide
Questions
Frequently asked
How do I check if a bike is stolen?
Take the frame number — usually under the bottom bracket where the pedal cranks meet — and run it through Cyclesite's free stolen-bike check. Ask the seller for the original receipt and run a reverse-image search on the listing photos before you commit.
Where is the frame number on a bike?
The frame number is stamped into the frame itself. 95% of UK bikes have it on the underside of the bottom bracket shell — turn the bike over to read it. It's always 7–10 alphanumeric characters and never a sticker (a sticker is the date code, not the frame number).
What does a bike serial number look like?
Typically 7–14 alphanumeric characters, often starting with letters followed by numbers. They may be stamped into the frame metal, printed on a sticker, or laser-engraved. Examples: "WTU123456789", "SNFSC12345", "BC06M12345". Each manufacturer has its own format.
Can I check if a bike is stolen for free?
Yes. Cyclesite offers a free stolen-bike check with no account required. Enter the frame serial number and we'll query global stolen-bike registries and our own community reports in one go. Every bike listed on Cyclesite is automatically checked before going live. For UK purchases we also recommend a direct check on a UK stolen-bike database as a second step.
How do I verify a second-hand bike before buying?
Always check the frame serial number against stolen databases before travelling to view. Ask the seller for proof of purchase, check the number matches any documentation, inspect the frame for signs of tampering (grinding marks, fresh paint over numbers), and meet in a safe public location.
What should I do if my bike has been stolen?
Report the theft to the police as soon as you can — every UK force has an online crime-reporting form and a non-emergency number (101 nationally). Register the bike on a UK stolen-bike database, list it on Cyclesite's stolen-bike registry, and notify your insurer if you have one. The faster the bike is on the registries, the higher the chance of recovery.
Is a clear result a guarantee the bike isn't stolen?
No. A clear result means no stolen reports were found in the databases we check, which is encouraging but not a guarantee. Not every stolen bike is reported. Always combine database checks with physical inspection at the viewing and common-sense precautions.
Are bikes on Cyclesite stolen-checked?
Yes. Every listing on Cyclesite is automatically cross-checked against UK stolen-bike databases before it goes live. Listings that fail the check don't appear.
Bike checks out clean?
Browse bikes that have already passed the check.
Every listing on Cyclesite is automatically cross-checked against UK stolen-bike databases before it goes live.