Check a bike before you buy

Cross-reference any frame number against UK stolen-bike databases in seconds.

Smart bike buyers leave nothing to chance

  • Check

    Spot stolen reports, missing frame numbers, or tampered serials early, before they cost you the price of the bike.

  • Compare

    Compare your options quickly to see which bikes stand out, and which ones you can rule out straight away.

  • Choose

    Understand a bike’s history, expected wear and fair market value, so you can choose the best option with confidence.

How it works

Learn what we check, how fast it happens, and what each result means.

  1. Enter the bike's frame number

    Take the 7-14 character serial stamped under the bottom bracket. Type it or paste it from a photo.

    Where do I find the frame number?

  2. We check verified UK stolen-bike databases

    Cross-referenced against the registries police forces and insurers use, plus Cyclesite community reports, in one query.

    Which databases do we check?

  3. Get your verdict in seconds

    Clear, Caution or Stolen. Each result returns with the date the record was created and the next step spelled out.

    What does each verdict mean?

  4. Let the result guide your next move

    Walk away, ask more questions or buy with confidence. Every Cyclesite listing is auto-checked before going live.

    Browse verified bikes

What does it cost?

Peace of mind before you buy

Our stolen-bike check gives you an instant verdict against UK stolen-bike databases and Cyclesite community reports, so there are no nasty surprises if you do decide to buy. Every check includes:

  • Whether the frame number is on a UK stolen-bike database
  • Whether the bike has been flagged by the Cyclesite community
  • The date any stolen record was created, so you know how fresh the alert is

Stolen-bike check report

Free

for every check, forever

Already checked a bike? View previous checks

  • UK databases

    Cross-checked in one go

  • Results in seconds

    No signup, no waiting

  • Free forever

    For any UK frame number

What the check has found so far

Frame checks this week
245

Real UK lookups, last 7 days

Lifetime bike checks
667

Total frame numbers cross-referenced

Bikes flagged as stolen
36

Matched against a UK stolen-bike database

Reviewed by Tom Southern, Founder.

Thinking of buying

Check before you pay.

A 60-second lookup tells you whether the bike has been reported stolen anywhere in the UK.

  1. Find the frame number

    Stamped under the bottom bracket on most UK bikes, 7-14 characters. Never a sticker.

  2. Run the check

    Cross-checked against UK stolen-bike databases and Cyclesite reports in seconds.

  3. Read the verdict

    Clear, Caution or Stolen, each with the next step spelled out.

Open the checkerBuyer-safety guide

My bike has been stolen

Move fast. The first 48 hours matter.

Most recovered bikes are reported within hours. Get on the registries, get a crime number, get the network looking.

  1. Call 999 or 101

    999 if it's still in progress, 101 if the bike has gone. Get a crime reference.

  2. Add to the registry

    Visible to every Cyclesite buyer, flagged before any matching listing goes live.

  3. Post a sighting alert

    Share the frame number, location and photos in our stolen-bike-alerts community.

Add to registryFind your police force

Reading the result

Three verdicts. Clear next steps.

Every check returns one of three outcomes, and tells you exactly what to do.

Verdict

Clear

No stolen reports found across the registries we check.

What to do

Verify the number physically at the viewing and look for tampering.

Verdict

Caution

A risk signal: a previous flag, a recent re-listing, or partial match.

What to do

Ask for proof of purchase and inspect the frame-number area carefully.

Verdict

Stolen

Match against a confirmed theft report on a UK stolen-bike database.

What to do

Do not buy. Do not confront the seller. Leave safely and call 101.

In-depth guides

Stolen-bike resources

Long-form coverage of frame numbers, registries, recovery tactics and what to do if your bike is taken.

Questions

Frequently asked

How do I check if a bike or bicycle is stolen?

Run a free bike or bicycle stolen-check at cyclesite.co.uk/stolen-bikes. Take the frame number, usually under the bottom bracket where the pedal cranks meet, and we'll cross-reference it against UK stolen-bike databases and Cyclesite's own community reports in seconds. Ask the seller for the original receipt and a photo of the frame number before you commit.

Is this a free bike checker? What does the bike check cover?

Yes, Cyclesite is a free bike checker for the UK. Enter a frame or serial number and the bike check runs it against the UK stolen-bike databases the police use, plus Cyclesite's own community reports, in seconds, returning a Clear, Caution or Stolen verdict. There's no signup and no limit on individual lookups, so you can run a free bike check on any UK bike or bicycle before you buy.

Bicycle serial number lookup: how does it work?

A bicycle serial number lookup checks a frame's unique identifier against registered theft reports. Enter the bike or bicycle serial number at cyclesite.co.uk/stolen-bikes and Cyclesite cross-references it against UK stolen-bike databases plus our community reports in one query. The serial is the 7-14 character code stamped into the frame, not a sticker (see "Where is the frame number on a bike?" below for the exact location).

Is there a UK stolen bike database I can search?

Yes. Cyclesite's free check searches the UK stolen-bike databases used by police forces and registered cyclists, plus our own community stolen-report database, in one query. The same lookup works for any bike or bicycle and returns a verdict of Clear, Caution or Stolen within seconds. No signup, no stored searches.

Which police stolen-bike database does this check?

Cyclesite cross-references the UK stolen-bike databases that police forces across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use to record reported thefts and registered frames. We don't run our own police feed; we mirror the registries the police themselves rely on, and combine them with Cyclesite's community-submitted reports for broader coverage.

Where is the frame number on a bike?

The frame number is stamped into the frame itself. 95% of UK bikes carry it on the underside of the bottom bracket shell, so 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 or bicycle serial number look like?

A bike or bicycle serial number is 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 or bicycle is stolen for free?

Yes. Cyclesite offers a free stolen-bike check (and the same free bicycle serial number check) with no account required. Enter the frame serial number and we'll query UK stolen-bike databases and our own community reports in one go. Every bike listed on Cyclesite is automatically checked before going live.

How do I verify a second-hand bike before buying?

Always run the frame-number check before travelling. Ask the seller for proof of purchase, check the number matches any documentation, inspect the frame for tampering (grinding marks, fresh paint over numbers), and meet in a safe public location.

What should I do if my bike has been stolen?

Call 999 if it's in progress, otherwise 101. Get a crime reference, then add the bike to Cyclesite's registry and post a sighting alert in our stolen-bike-alerts community. 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 the database check with physical inspection at the viewing.

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.

Every listing checked

Browse bikes that pass the check.

Every listing on Cyclesite is automatically cross-checked against UK stolen-bike databases before it goes live. No flagged bikes, no awkward conversations, no surprises.

Browse verified bikesBuyer-safety guide