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Stolen-bike checks
How every listing with a frame number is checked against UK stolen-bike data before it goes live.
How every listing with a frame number is checked against UK stolen-bike data before it goes live.
How to verify a bike is not stolen before buying, which databases to check, what results mean, and what to do if you find a stolen bike or become a victim of theft.
Enter a frame serial number and we'll check it against a stolen-bike registry and rider-filed theft reports instantly. Free, no signup.
Results in seconds. Checks our internal database alongside UK stolen-bike registers.
Understanding the scale helps explain why checking stolen databases is essential before any used-bike purchase.
Sources: ONS Crime Survey 2023, UK stolen-bike databases, Police recorded crime statistics.
When you run a history check, we query multiple data sources to give you the most comprehensive picture possible.
Result. Based on these checks, we return one of three statuses: Clear, Caution, or Stolen.
No single database contains all stolen bikes. For comprehensive protection, check multiple. UK national cycle databases used by police forces are the most important to query.
A clear result is encouraging but not a guarantee. A flagged result requires immediate action.
No stolen-bike reports or strong risk signals found
What to do
Some risk signals were found that warrant further investigation
What to do
Confirmed stolen-bike report found in our databases
What to do
Systematic checks that minimise the risk of buying stolen property.
Acting quickly maximises your chances of recovery. Follow these steps in order.
Report it to Cyclesite too, we'll flag the serial number so it can't be sold here, and alert you if it appears for sale. Report your stolen bike.
Call 101 or report online via your local police force website. Get a crime reference number.
Important: You MUST have a crime reference number to report to databases and claim insurance.
Timeframe: Within 24 hours of discovering theft
Log into your BikeRegister account and mark the bike as stolen. Include crime reference number.
Important: BikeRegister is widely used when recovering stolen bikes.
Timeframe: Immediately after police report
Register (if not already) and mark as stolen on Bike Index for international coverage.
Important: Bike Index alerts are shared on social media and cycling communities.
Timeframe: Same day as theft report
Report to your insurance company with crime reference number and all documentation.
Important: Most policies require reporting within 24-48 hours.
Timeframe: Within policy timeframe (usually 24-48 hours)
Post on local cycling groups, Nextdoor, and community Facebook groups with photos.
Important: Many stolen bikes are recovered through community sightings.
Timeframe: Within 24-48 hours
Set up alerts on eBay, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace for your bike model.
Important: DO NOT confront sellers if you find your bike - contact police.
Timeframe: Ongoing for 30+ days
Confronting sellers is dangerous and can compromise any police investigation.
Your safety is more important than the bike. Sellers may be unaware they have stolen goods, or they may be dangerous criminals. Let trained police officers handle the situation.
These measures significantly reduce your risk of theft and improve recovery chances if it happens.
Get the frame number before you travel. Run it through BikeRegister - the check takes thirty seconds and costs nothing. At the viewing, verify the number on the actual bike matches what you were given. Look for signs of tampering: grinding marks around the number, fresh paint, strategically placed stickers. Ask for the original receipt too.
Do not buy it. Do not confront the seller - they might be innocent, or they might not, and either way confrontation helps nobody. Leave calmly. Report to police on 101 with all the details: seller information, listing URL, frame number. Report the listing to us. Your safety comes first.
That is neutral, not clearance. Many legitimate bikes are never registered - especially older ones. Not found does not mean stolen, but it does not prove legitimate either. Ask for proof of purchase. Check the frame number format matches the brand. Proceed with normal caution.
BikeRegister at minimum - it is the most comprehensive UK stolen bike registry. Bike Index adds global coverage. For expensive bikes, CheckThatBike shows insurance history. No single database catches everything, so checking multiple reduces risk. The free checks take under a minute each.
Unfortunately yes. Stolen bikes go unreported. Reported bikes get logged incorrectly. Frame numbers get mangled. A clean check reduces risk but does not eliminate it. Always ask for proof of purchase. Always verify the frame number physically. Always trust your instincts if something feels wrong.
Around five percent for unregistered bikes. Around fifty percent for bikes registered on BikeRegister. That is a ten-fold difference. Registration is free and takes five minutes. If your bike gets stolen, registration is the single most effective thing you can do to get it back.
Police first - call 101 or report online. Get a crime reference number. Then mark it stolen on BikeRegister and Bike Index immediately. Contact your insurer within their required timeframe. Alert local cycling groups on Facebook and Reddit. Monitor online marketplaces. If you spot it listed, tell the police - do not try to recover it yourself.
A unique identifier stamped into the frame during manufacture. Most bikes have it under the bottom bracket - flip the bike over and look where the pedal cranks meet the frame. Some brands stamp it on the head tube or seat tube. See our Frame Numbers Guide for brand-specific locations.
BikeRegister and Bike Index are both free. CheckThatBike charges for detailed reports including insurance history. The free databases cover most situations. Always check BikeRegister at minimum - it is the most widely used UK stolen bike database.
Contact police immediately. Provide everything: seller details, messages, payment records. Under UK law, you cannot keep stolen property regardless of how you acquired it. The bike goes back to its owner. You may have civil recourse against the seller for fraud, but realistically, recovering your money is difficult.
BikeRegister is the UK national cycle database. All 43 police forces use it. When they recover unidentified bikes, they check BikeRegister first. Registered bikes carry security markings - visible and UV - that police look for during routine stops. Registration dramatically increases your chances of recovery.
Reputable shops verify provenance on trade-ins, but smaller dealers vary. New bikes from authorised dealers need no check. Second-hand bikes from any source deserve verification. The check takes thirty seconds - there is no reason not to do it.
Every frame number supplied on a Cyclesite listing is stolen-checked before it goes live. Transparent listing fees from £10.99.
Or use our free stolen-bike check for any frame number.