Klarna and Clearpay are available at checkout on eligible purchases (typically over £100, subject to their own approval). Cycle to Work covers up to £3,000 interest-free through your employer. We do not offer finance directly.
Paying for a Used Bike Over Time
Used bikes on Cyclesite can be bought outright by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or paid for over time using Klarna, Clearpay, or a Cycle to Work voucher from an eligible scheme. The right option depends on the listing, the seller, and your situation.
The Three Finance Routes
Cycle to Work voucher. The cheapest way to buy a bike over time if you are eligible. Your employer must offer one of the schemes we accept (Cyclescheme, Bike2Work, Green Commute Initiative). The listing must be from a VAT registered business seller (look for the Cycle to Work Eligible badge). Savings are typically 32 percent of the price for basic rate taxpayers and higher for 40 percent taxpayers. Voucher redemption is a manual support step, not a checkout button.
Klarna and Clearpay. Buy now pay later available directly at checkout on eligible listings. Pay in 3 splits the price into three equal payments, the first at checkout and the next two taken automatically every 30 days. Interest free, no fees if you pay on time. Available on most listings regardless of seller type.
Credit or debit card. Pay the full amount now. If you pay the card bill in full when it arrives, this costs you nothing extra and avoids credit applications. If you carry a balance on the card, the interest is usually higher than Klarna or Clearpay, so buy now pay later is usually cheaper.
Cycle to Work on Used Bikes: What You Need to Know
Most people think Cycle to Work only works on new bikes from high street retailers. That is not true. HMRC's own guidance allows the scheme to be used for any bike from a VAT registered supplier, which includes used bikes bought from VAT registered business sellers on Cyclesite. The savings are the same as on a new bike.
The process is slightly different from buying in a bike shop:
1. Search Cyclesite with the Cycle to Work filter on. 2. Find a listing from a business seller showing the Cycle to Work Eligible badge. 3. Contact support with the listing URL and your scheme provider. 4. Provide your voucher code or certificate details. 5. Support validates the voucher with the scheme provider. 6. The sale is finalised and the bike ships to you.
The main limitation is scheme limits. Most schemes cap at £1,000 to £3,000 depending on the provider and your employer's arrangement. If the bike costs more than your limit, some schemes allow a top up payment for the difference, others do not. Check with your scheme provider before committing.
Klarna and Clearpay at Checkout
Both providers run soft credit checks for Pay in 3 style plans, which do not affect your credit score. Longer term plans can trigger hard searches. The exact check depends on the product you select at the payment step.
A few things to know before clicking:
- Interest free on time. If you pay each instalment by the due date there is no interest and no fee.
- Late payment fees. Miss a payment and both providers charge fees, which can compound quickly. Set a reminder the day before each due date.
- Refunds reverse the plan. If you return the bike within the Buyer Protection window, the refund unwinds the plan automatically. You get back whatever you have already paid and future instalments are cancelled.
- Not available on every listing. Some private sellers or very low priced listings may not qualify. The payment step will show you what is available.
Personal Loans and Credit Cards
Cyclesite does not arrange personal loans directly. If none of the options above work for you, a personal loan from your bank or a 0 percent purchase credit card can cover the cost. We do not recommend borrowing more than you can repay comfortably and we do not receive any commission from lenders.
A simple check: if you could not afford to lose the full amount tomorrow, you probably should not be borrowing to buy the bike.
Combining Payment Methods
In some cases you can combine methods. For example, pay part of the price with a Cycle to Work voucher if the bike is more expensive than your scheme limit, with the balance on a card. This is handled manually through support rather than at checkout. Contact us before listing the bike in your basket if you want to do this.
Getting Help
Any problem with a payment, voucher or instalment plan goes through support at /help/contact. Include the listing URL, your order reference if you have one, and the payment method you are asking about. Responses come back within one working day.
Frequently asked questions
Can I finance a used bike the same way I would a new one?
Yes, for most listings. Klarna and Clearpay are available at checkout on eligible bikes and let you spread the cost across a few months of equal payments. For bikes sold by VAT registered business sellers, Cycle to Work vouchers can also be redeemed through support. Private seller listings cannot take Cycle to Work vouchers because HMRC requires a VAT invoice.
What is the cheapest way to finance a used bike?
Cycle to Work is by far the cheapest option if you are eligible. You save around 32 percent on the price for basic rate taxpayers and more for higher rate. The catch is that it only works on listings from VAT registered business sellers. If Cycle to Work is not available, Klarna and Clearpay are interest free on eligible purchases, so the next cheapest option is paying a card bill in full when it arrives, which costs you nothing extra.
Does Cyclesite do in house finance or loans?
No. Cyclesite does not lend money directly and does not run its own finance product. We work with Stripe for payment processing and with Cycle to Work scheme providers for voucher redemption. Klarna and Clearpay handle their own credit decisions at the payment step and their decisions are not shared with us.
Will applying for Klarna or Clearpay hurt my credit score?
Pay in 3 type short term instalment plans usually run a soft credit check, which does not affect your score. Longer finance options from the same providers can include a hard search that is visible on your credit file for up to 12 months. The exact check depends on the plan you pick at checkout. Always read the terms at the payment step before confirming.
What if I cannot afford to repay my instalments?
Contact your finance provider directly as soon as you know there is a problem. Klarna and Clearpay both offer payment plan adjustments and can sometimes pause payments for a short period. Missed payments can affect your credit file and may incur fees. Cyclesite is not involved in collection decisions and cannot alter the terms of your plan.
Can I use finance on private seller listings?
Yes for Klarna and Clearpay, which work on any eligible listing regardless of whether the seller is a business or a private individual. Cycle to Work voucher redemption only works on VAT registered business seller listings, look for the Cycle to Work Eligible badge on search filters.