A good-quality electric bike usually costs between $2,000 and $4,000 at retail, though premium models can run much higher. At Upway, you can find both new and pre-owned e-Bikes from leading brands—often at discounts of up to 60%!
What to Look For When Buying a Refurbished E-Bike
Written by: Rémy Rossi | June 19, 2025 | Time to read 7 min
Buying a refurbished e-Bike shouldn’t feel like a gamble. With the right tips, you can ride off with premium performance at a fraction of the cost.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
You don’t need eagle eyes to spot a great deal on a refurbished electric bike— follow these tips and you’ll know exactly what to look for. Between all the posts on local listings and online marketplaces, the choices can seem endless and the task of finding the right one a bit daunting. But here’s how to cut through the fluff to speed up your search and end up with your dream e-Bike for less.
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e-Bike for up to 60% off retail prices, in new or like-new conditions.
What to Look For When Buying a Refurbished E-Bike
The e-Bike is in good condition
The thing about pre-owned and refurbished electric bikes is that they’ve been used by someone else. And that preexisting history can go any number of ways. Some owners treat their e-Bikes like royalty and take excellent care of them, including regular maintenance. Other riders, however, may have neglected repairs or put heavy wear and tear on the e-Bike— and at worst, there’s serious damage.
If you’re buying a refurbished e-Bike, that means it has been inspected and reconditioned by a professional. There may be slight signs of normal use, but the important parts will all be up to snuff, if not in like-new condition. For example, Upway reconditions second-hand electric bikes, putting them through a rigorous 50-point inspection and replacing all parts that are not up to our high standards.
Check that the bike doesn’t have any serious frame damage or components that require immediate replacement, such as a rusty chain, worn brakes, or balding tires. Upway uploads detailed pictures of every e-Bike in our collection and we’re honest about any surface scratches on the frame, sharing close-up images.
Healthy, high-capacity battery
Arguably the most important consideration when buying a refurbished e-Bike is the battery. Electric bike batteries naturally lose performance over time, so a heavily-used bike will have a noticeable reduced range compared to when it was brand new. That said, batteries can last for several years and thousands of miles so used e-Bikes can still have totally healthy batteries that will go the distance.
At Upway, we test the batteries to ensure they have at least 80% of their original capacity. If not, we’ll swap out the battery for a fresh one to ensure you’re getting a long-lasting electric bike. We also include information on the number of charge cycles the battery has gone through, a good indicator of battery lifespan. On average, batteries can last 500-1,000 charge cycles before experiencing a noticeable drop in performance, and high-quality batteries can go even longer.
At Upway, we test the batteries to ensure they have at least 80% of their original capacity. If not, we’ll swap out the battery for a fresh one to ensure you’re getting a long-lasting electric bike. We also include information on the number of charge cycles the battery has gone through, a good indicator of battery lifespan. On average, batteries can last 500-1,000 charge cycles before experiencing a noticeable drop in performance, and high-quality batteries can go even longer.
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High-quality brand and components
Try to buy a refurbished bike made by a reputable brand, equipped with quality components. Higher-quality bikes last longer in the first place and, if there are any repairs to be made, they can be refurbished more successfully. Many low-end electric bikes use cheaper bits or proprietary components that can be difficult to source and complicate the refurbishing process. And once you buy the bike, it can leave you on the hook for complex, slow fixes in the future.
Quality motors and batteries from the likes of Bosch are well understood and there’s a large network of replacement parts and knowledge on how to fix them if needed, supported by both the brand and local bike shops with the required knowledge. One of the perks of buying a used model is being able to afford better components than you could otherwise, compared to a brand-new bike, increasing performance and durability.
Keep an eye out for trusted brands like Bosch, Shimano, SRAM, RockShox, FOX, Maxxis, Shwalbe, Fazua, Mahle, and others that manufacture great bike parts.
Quality motors and batteries from the likes of Bosch are well understood and there’s a large network of replacement parts and knowledge on how to fix them if needed, supported by both the brand and local bike shops with the required knowledge. One of the perks of buying a used model is being able to afford better components than you could otherwise, compared to a brand-new bike, increasing performance and durability.
Keep an eye out for trusted brands like Bosch, Shimano, SRAM, RockShox, FOX, Maxxis, Shwalbe, Fazua, Mahle, and others that manufacture great bike parts.
Ownership history
I like to know where the stuff I buy comes from. Whether it’s locally grown fruit or a refurbished electric bike, it adds confidence to the transaction. Look for proof of previous ownership or where the bike came from. Maybe the seller has the original receipt or a bike store is selling last year’s model, a return, or a slightly used demo bike. This helpful info also ensures you don’t accidentally buy a stolen bike.
Upway sources its excellent e-Bikes directly from brands, bike shops, and individuals and we’ll note that information on the model’s page, including the date we received it. We include a full History and Inspection Report to cover all the details about the bike. From new e-Bikes to folding electric bikes, we’ve got it all for cyclists searching for the best deals!
Upway sources its excellent e-Bikes directly from brands, bike shops, and individuals and we’ll note that information on the model’s page, including the date we received it. We include a full History and Inspection Report to cover all the details about the bike. From new e-Bikes to folding electric bikes, we’ve got it all for cyclists searching for the best deals!
🤝 Why you can trust us for buying an e-Bike?
- Great prices: Get your next e-Bike for up to 60% off retail prices, in new or like-new conditions.
- Quality Guaranteed: Every e-Bike is rigorously certified by a team of professional mechanics, and comes with a 1-year warranty.
- Delivered to Your Door: Delivered to your home within a week. Change your mind? Return it thanks to our 14-day return policy.
🚲 We also buy e-Bikes. Click here for an estimation!
Certified e-Bike & warranty
You’re going to want some peace of mind when you purchase a reconditioned electric bike. Look for a seller that certifies their products via a thorough inspection and refurbishment process, in addition to providing a warranty. The original warranty won’t apply to the used e-Bike.
More informal marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist don’t offer warranties, but bike-specific marketplaces like Upway, Buycycle, and Bicycle Blue Book can offer guarantees. All Upway electric bikes come with a one-year warranty, as well as a 14-day return period if you don’t fall in love with your bike right away.
More informal marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist don’t offer warranties, but bike-specific marketplaces like Upway, Buycycle, and Bicycle Blue Book can offer guarantees. All Upway electric bikes come with a one-year warranty, as well as a 14-day return period if you don’t fall in love with your bike right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electric bikes cost?
Do I need to check my e-Bike every time I ride?
It’s a good idea to check the tire pressure before every ride to see if the tires need to be inflated. Other maintenance tasks, like looking over the gears and brakes, are recommended after every several rides. Bigger projects like suspension can happen as needed.
What is the warranty on Upway bikes?
Upway offers a one-year limited warranty on all its e-Bikes that covers mechanical and electrical defects. We also provide guaranteed delivery and will compensate as warranted in the rare case of any shipping damage.
Key Takeaways
- Battery life matters a lot: Look for e-Bikes with tested batteries at 80%+ capacity or replaced with fresh ones for long-lasting rides.
- Brands and components count: High-quality, reputable brands mean better durability, easier repairs, and smoother riding.
- Certification and warranties offer peace of mind: Choose certified refurbished bikes with a warranty to protect your investment.
