VanMoof bikes are different from normal used bikes because the app matters as much as the number on the frame. If you are buying used, you need the physical bike identifier, proof of ownership and a clean app handover. Check the usual bike-frame locations first, especially underneath the bottom bracket and around the lower frame. Then make sure the seller can remove the bike from their VanMoof account before you pay.
That number matters. It helps you register the bike, check if it has been reported stolen, prove ownership, value it and sell it with more buyer confidence. Here is where to find it, how to read it, and how to check it before you buy.
Check a VanMoof frame number
Free, instant, no signup. Enter the number stamped on the frame to check it against the UK stolen-bike databases.
To check a used VanMoof, look for the frame or bike ID on the bike and match it with the VanMoof app, paperwork and seller account. VanMoof does not publish one universal frame-number location or prefix, so check the usual frame locations and never rely on a guessed format.
Start under the bottom bracket.
This is the most common place to find a VanMoof frame number. It is the part of the frame between the pedals, on the underside.
- Put the bike somewhere safe and well lit.
- Turn it upside down carefully, or place it in a workstand.
- Look underneath the frame where the cranks meet the bike.
- Wipe away mud, grease or road dirt.
- Use a phone torch if the number is hard to read.
- Take a clear photo before typing the number into a checker.
Make sure you copy the full number. A single missing or misread character can give the wrong result.
Can’t find it underneath the bike?
If the number is not under the bottom bracket, check these places next:
- Near the rear dropouts, where the back wheel fits into the frame.
- Around the seat tube.
- On the underside of the down tube.
- Near the head tube at the front of the bike.
- On the original sales receipt.
- In your VanMoof registration email or paperwork.
- With the VanMoof dealer that sold the bike.
On older bikes, repainted frames and heavily used bikes, the number can be harder to read. If it has been scratched off, covered, filed down or looks tampered with, treat that as a serious warning sign.
What does a VanMoof frame number look like?
A VanMoof identifier may be shown as a bike ID, frame number or serial number depending on model, paperwork and app view. Use the full code exactly as shown on the bike and in the account. If the code on the bike, app and seller paperwork does not match, pause the purchase and ask VanMoof support or the seller to resolve it first.
Do not use the model name, tyre size, barcode on a shop label, or any number printed on a component. The frame number belongs to the bike frame itself. For example, these are not usually the frame number:
- VanMoof S3
- VanMoof X3
- VanMoof S5
- VanMoof A5
- VanMoof S6
- VanMoof S4
- Electrified
- SmartBike
- Peace of Mind
- Theft Proof
- Apple Find My ID
- SIM or GSM number
- Bluetooth ID
- Charger number
- Battery label
- Motor number
- Order number alone
The number you want is the unique frame code that belongs to the frame itself.
The app handover is the real check
The app handover is the key VanMoof-specific check. A genuine seller should be able to show the bike in their account and remove it before ownership transfer.
A bike that still belongs to someone else’s app account can be difficult to activate or prove as yours.
The detail that protects you.
A frame number is one of the most useful details on a used bike. It connects a VanMoof to its owner, its registration record and any stolen-bike reports.
You may need it to:
- Check if a VanMoof bike has been reported stolen.
- Register your bike.
- Sell your bike with confidence.
- Get an accurate bike valuation.
- Make an insurance claim.
- Report a stolen bike to the police.
- Prove the bike is yours.
If you own a VanMoof, take a photo of the frame number and keep it with your receipt. If the bike is ever stolen, that detail can make a real difference.
Buying a used VanMoof? Check the frame number first.
A clean-looking bike is not always a safe buy. Before you pay, ask the seller for a clear photo of the frame number and check it against stolen-bike records. You should also ask for:
- The original receipt or proof of purchase.
- The seller’s name matching the receipt where possible.
- Clear photos of the bike from both sides.
- A photo of the frame number.
- Any service history.
- Details of upgrades or replacement parts.
Red flag. Be careful if the seller refuses to show the frame number, says they cannot find it, gives only a partial code, or pressures you to pay quickly. A genuine seller should understand why you are checking.
Check a VanMoof frame number on Cyclesite
Found the number? Run a free stolen-bike check before you buy. Enter the VanMoof frame number into the checker and look for any matching reports. It only takes a moment, and it can help you avoid buying a bike with a bad history. If the bike looks clear, you can also value it and compare similar VanMoof bikes for sale.
What to do if your VanMoof has been stolen.
Report it as soon as possible. You will usually need the frame number, photos, make, model, colour, size, location and any unique marks or upgrades.
- Report the theft to the police.
- Get a crime reference number.
- Add the bike to stolen-bike databases.
- Update any existing bike registration record.
- Contact your insurer if you have cover.
- Watch used bike listings for matching bikes.
- Keep photos, receipts and messages in one place.
Include anything distinctive, such as upgraded wheels, unusual tyres, scratches, stickers, lights, mudguards, racks or replacement parts. The more detail you provide, the easier it is to identify the bike if it appears for sale.
VanMoof frame number FAQs
Where is the frame number on a VanMoof S3?
Check the physical bike identifier on the frame, starting with the usual locations around the bottom bracket and lower frame, and compare it with the VanMoof app and paperwork. Do not rely on a guessed spot alone.
Where is the frame number on a VanMoof X3?
Check the bike itself, the VanMoof account and the original paperwork. The app handover is just as important as the number.
Where is the frame number on a VanMoof S5?
Use the bike ID or frame identifier shown on the bike and compare it with the VanMoof account before buying.
Can I buy a VanMoof that is still linked to the seller’s account?
Do not complete the purchase until the seller removes the bike from their account and you can activate it properly.
Is the VanMoof tracking ID the same as the frame number?
No. Tracking technology and physical bike ID are separate checks. Use the physical identifier for ownership and stolen-bike checks.
Looking for another brand? See the full bike frame number guide.
Bottom line
With a VanMoof, the bike identifier and the app handover matter together. Match the code on the bike with the VanMoof account and paperwork, make sure the seller removes the bike from their account, then run a stolen-bike check before you pay. A used VanMoof can be a brilliant buy, but the identifier and a clean handover are the details that protect you.
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Editorial standards
Last reviewed by the Cyclesite editorial team. Published by Cyclesite, Companies House No. 13238473.