Why theft risk is higher for bikes and vans
Motorbikes are easier to physically move without the keys than most cars, and tool theft from vans is common enough that entire vans get taken along with their contents. Both facts push theft and recovery rates for these vehicle types higher than for an average car, which makes a stolen-marker check more important, not less, when you're buying either.
What to check beyond the basics
- Frame or chassis number matches the paperwork, check it physically against the V5C rather than trusting the seller's description of it.
- Import history, a disproportionate number of used bikes and vans in the UK are grey imports, which affects parts availability and sometimes insurance.
- Modifications, engine or exhaust changes on a bike, or racking and conversions on a van, can affect insurance validity if undeclared.
- Commercial use history on vans, high-mileage former courier or trade vans have a harder life than the odometer alone suggests.
Running the check
The same registration-based checks that apply to cars, finance, write-off and stolen markers, apply to bikes and vans too, and are worth running before agreeing a price given the higher baseline theft risk. MOTCO's stolen-vehicle check covers vans specifically, alongside the same finance and write-off markers.
Ask specifically about commercial insurance history and any fleet-tracking data the previous owner can share. It tells you more about real-world use than a private car's history would.
Common questions
Are motorbikes more likely to be stolen than cars?
Yes, motorbikes are stolen at a higher rate relative to how many are on the road, largely because they're easier to physically remove without the keys.
Does a stolen check work the same for vans as for cars?
Yes, the underlying registration-based check covers any vehicle type, including vans and motorbikes, using the same finance, write-off and stolen-marker data.