How does buyer protection work on Cyclesite?

For transactions using Stripe, your payment can be held in escrow until you confirm you're happy with the bike. If something isn't right, you can raise a dispute and our team will investigate. Refunds can be issued where appropriate.

What can I see about a seller before buying?

You can view seller profiles, see how long they've been on the platform, read ratings from previous buyers, and check their response time. This helps you make informed decisions about who you're buying from.

How do I report a suspicious listing or scam?

Every listing has a "Report" button. Click it and tell us what looks wrong. Our team reviews every report and takes action quickly, including removing listings and suspending accounts where necessary. We also run automated fraud detection that flags suspicious patterns before buyers are affected.

What is a bike history check and how does it work?

A bike history check is a free search against stolen bike databases using a bicycle's serial number. It tells you whether the bike has been reported stolen anywhere in the UK. On Cyclesite, sellers photograph the serial number when listing, and we run this check automatically before the listing goes live. You can also run your own check for free at cyclesite.co.uk/stolen-bikes.

Is my personal data safe on Cyclesite?

Yes. Cyclesite is registered with the ICO (the UK's data protection authority), and we use industry-standard encryption for all connections. We never sell your personal data or share it with third parties for marketing purposes. You can read exactly how we handle your information in our privacy policy, and manage your cookie preferences at any time.

How to Check If a Bike Is Stolen Before You Buy (UK, 2026)

Step-by-step

Locate the frame numberTurn the bike upside down and read the seven-to-ten character serial stamped under the bottom bracket.

Check Cyclesite's stolen-bike lookupPaste the frame number into cyclesite.co.uk/stolen-bikes — results in under 30 seconds.

Cross-check UK stolen-bike databasesA bike cleared by every database we query is very unlikely to be flagged.

Ask for the original receiptLegitimate owners usually keep them. A flat refusal is a red flag.

Meet in a public placeIdeally a police station or supermarket car park with CCTV. Never a residential doorstep.

Reverse-image search the listing photosGoogle Lens or TinEye. Duplicated listings appearing elsewhere usually mean the photos were lifted.

Where to find the frame number

The frame number (also called a serial number) is stamped into the frame itself — 95% of UK bikes have it on the underside of the bottom bracket shell, where the pedal cranks meet the frame. Turn the bike upside down or lay it on one side to read it. On some bikes it's on the head tube, rear dropout, or seat tube. It's always seven to ten alphanumeric characters; never a sticker.

The three databases every UK buyer should check

Run the frame number through Cyclesite's free stolen-bike lookup. The lookup aggregates police-reported thefts, UK national stolen-bike databases used by police forces, and user-submitted stolen reports in one search. The check takes under 30 seconds. A bike flagged anywhere should not be purchased, even if the seller offers a discount.

Red flags beyond the database check

A clean database does not guarantee the bike is legitimate — many thefts are never reported. Treat these as warning signs: no original receipt, scratched-off or recently repainted frame area near the bottom bracket, price significantly below the used-market rate for the model, seller reluctant to meet in public or at a police station, vague answers about where and when the bike was bought, or the listing photos appear elsewhere online (reverse-image search via Google Lens).

What to do if the check comes back positive

Do not confront the seller. Do not hand over money. Note the seller's location, any vehicle registration, and listing details (screenshot everything). Report the listing to the police on 101 with the frame number and your evidence. On Cyclesite, use the "report a stolen listing" button — our moderation team removes the listing and relays details to the relevant police force within 24 hours.

FAQs

Is Cyclesite's stolen-bike check free?

Yes. Every check against our database is free and requires no account. We aggregate police-reported thefts, UK stolen-bike database flags, and user-submitted stolen reports.

What if the seller has no frame number?

Walk away. A missing or scratched-off frame number is almost always a sign the bike has been stolen and the identifier deliberately removed.

Can a bike be cleared on Cyclesite but still be stolen?

It's possible — not every theft is reported, and some databases lag real-world events by days. Use the database check as one of five signals, not the only one.

Should I buy a bike without a receipt?

Only if the other five signals line up perfectly (clean databases, legitimate photos, public meeting place, fair market price, no frame-number tampering). A missing receipt alone isn't disqualifying, but combined with any other red flag it should be.

What do I do if I already bought a stolen bike?

Report it to 101 immediately with your purchase evidence. In most cases the rightful owner is entitled to have the bike returned and you lose the purchase price — which is why pre-purchase checks matter. Your chance of recovering the money depends on identifying the seller.