We accept all electric bikes manufactured after 2014.
However, we only accept certain brands with certified Lithium-Ion batteries for both quality and safety reasons. Your bike must not show any structural damage (e.g., cracked frame). You must have the battery, its charger, and any keys (battery or frame lock) in your possession.
Get the Best Value: What Upway Looks for in Used E-Bikes
Written by: Rémy Rossi | August 13, 2025 | Time to read 5 min
Want top dollar for your used electric bike for sale? Here’s what Upway looks for— and how you can boost your bike’s value before you sell.
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.
Selling your electric bike to Upway gives it a second life and puts cash in your pocket. Maybe it's a used electric bike for sale, collecting dust in your garage, or a sentimental steed you’re hesitant to part with. Whatever your reason for selling, you deserve to get top dollar for your e-Bike. Here’s what Upway looks for in used electric bikes, including our acceptance criteria and selling tips to get the best value possible.
👋 Do you know Upway?
Upway is your go-to destination for buying and selling e-Bikes online. Find your next e-Bike at up to 60% off retail, available in new or like-new condition.
How to sell your e-Bike with Upway
It’s never been easier to sell your pre-owned electric bike. This is how it works at Upway:
- Get your quote, fast: Tell us about your e-Bike via this form that takes just 2 minutes. You’ll receive our offer within 48 hours, valid for 14 days.
- Ship your bike for free: Upway makes it easy. We’ll help you prepare your bike for shipping, and then we'll pick it up— you tell us when and where.
- Secure payment: We securely transfer cash to your bank account soon after receiving your used e-Bike.
How to get the highest price for your used e-Bike
Upway calculates an offer based on our proprietary pricing algorithm, our secret sauce, if you will. This quick quote helps the process move along as fast as possible, which is convenient for you and Upway’s Trade-In Program partners all across the country. It’s no top-secret formula, though— follow along as I share the ingredients that are involved in putting together the competitive quote.
💸 Do you want to sell your electric bike?
Upway’s acceptance criteria
First things first, the electric bike has to meet a few non-negotiable criteria to ensure safety and quality for future buyers. Upway can only accept electric bikes that are complete and undamaged. This means that your e-Bike must have its battery, charger, and any keys for the battery or frame lock, and be free from structural damage, such as a cracked frame.
We accept electric bikes made after 2014, but only from select brandsthat use certified lithium-ion batteries. If you’re unsure whether your bike qualifies or want help getting started, you can chat with us or book a video call with one of our experts!
Factors that can influence offer amount
Original retail value
Like any secondhand product, its current value is determined, in part, by the original retail price. The higher the original MSRP, the higher the resale value. We take this number into account when calculating the offer price, but there are several more factors that can affect the quote.
Mileage
You’ll get a higher dollar amount for your used e-Bike for sale if it has low mileage. It’s typically very easy to find out the total mileage of your electric bike because they have odometers just like cars.
Mileage also relates to the number of charge cycles— or how many times you’ve charged the e-Bike battery. E-Bike batteries typically last up to 1,000 charge cycles before experiencing a significant drop in performance, though it can vary. For batteries that perform at less than 80% of their original capacity, they’ll have to be replaced by Upway, adding to our reconditioning costs.
Condition
Pristine condition will fetch the highest price for a pre-owned electric bike for sale, but that’s a rare find from individual owners with e-Bikes that have been well-loved— after all, bikes are meant to be ridden and enjoyed! Take a look at your e-Bike to understand its condition, including any surface scratches and wear on the drivetrain, brakes, tires, and other components. Upway factors in our own reconditioning costs related to parts we’ll need to replace to get the bike back to great shape.
Seasonal demand
The time of year that you sell your electric bike can also influence the price. Demand for certain styles of bikes can fluctuate throughout the year, and there’s always an overall spike in demand in the spring and summer as people want to get out and ride in good weather.
Added upgrades
Maybe you’ve installed some sweet upgrades on your bike— those add-ons can increase its value. The exact impact will depend on the specific upgrades, though it’s generally true that more premium parts will bump up the value. However, heavily customized parts may limit the general appeal of a bike and narrow the buyer pool. In the selling form, there’s plenty of space to describe any changes you’ve made to the bike throughout its lifetime!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Upway's acceptance criteria?
How are prices determined?
Our offer price is based on the retail value of your bike, its mileage, and market factors such as demand and seasonality for your model. We also factor in our own reconditioning costs so that the future owner can enjoy a bike in perfect condition, with a one-year warranty.
Key Takeaways
- Upway’s acceptance criteria: Your e-Bike must be complete, undamaged, and from select brands made after 2014 with certified lithium-ion batteries.
- Know the value factors: Original price, mileage, condition, seasonal demand, and upgrades may all affect your offer.
- Sell in 3 steps: Get a fast quote, ship for free, and receive secure payment once your bike is received by Upway.
