How much is a safety certificate worth?

flameboy182

flameboy182

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I've been browsing on kijiji for a used bike and came across a few ads.

I've noticed the price of the bike with a safety inspection and certificate is usually priced at about $250-300 more than the "as is" price. I'm not really sure what the typical cost of this safety is.

Is that too much of a price to ask? Or is it a red flag that there might be something seriously wrong with the bike?
 
The safety is not that much, its whats needed to safety. Usually when they tack on $250 - $300 more its because thats what it will take to get the bike into safety ready condition, ie it needs some work. This is not always a bad thing, could simply be tires or brakes.
 
flameboy182 said:
I've been browsing on kijiji for a used bike and came across a few ads.

I've noticed the price of the bike with a safety inspection and certificate is usually priced at about $250-300 more than the "as is" price. I'm not really sure what the typical cost of this safety is.

Is that too much of a price to ask? Or is it a red flag that there might be something seriously wrong with the bike?
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The safety costs around $50 the extra is the buyer covering himself in case anything minor is wrong. I usually ask $100 or so more certified to cover my time.
 
wonderings said:
The safety is not that much, its whats needed to safety. Usually when they tack on $250 - $300 more its because thats what it will take to get the bike into safety ready condition, ie it needs some work. This is not always a bad thing, could simply be tires or brakes.
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or what the seller values his efforts to get it to a mechanic to safety it. The actual piece of paper is $35. Most shops charge 60-80 for a safety.
 
That definitely shines more light on the subject.

Thanks for the super quick and helpful replies everyone!
 
It can be worth a lot to a person who is buying a bike that does not have any mechanical ability.
If you buy an uncertified bike and then bring it in for saftey to change ownership, it could become very costly.

Any new rider who doesn't know much about bikes should always buy a certified bike.
 
Low rider said:
Any new rider who doesn't know much about bikes should always buy a certified bike.
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It does make things a hell of a lot easier and quicker when buying a used bike.

I like how you worded your question... because the answer depends entirely on who its for :)
 
Most shops I've asked quoted me about 75$. Keep in mind that those are their asking prices, not what they would actually sell the bike for.

I would stay away from "as is" bikes. If the guy can't care enough to get a piece of paper for you he likely can't care enough to take good care of the bike.
 
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A safety certificate (a proper one, not even a shady cert.) means next to nothing as far as the actual bike condition goes. A certified bike can be in terrible shape and still pass the MTO regulations. You can search online for the actual regulations, I have the link at home but am on my iPad right now. If you are alittle mechanically inclined, you can do your own inspection that will mean far more than the piece of paper.

I've bought my last two cars and two bikes unsafetied and use that to my advantage when bargaining, since most sellers would rather not deal with the hassle of getting it safetied
 
bikes with fender eliminators and no mud gaurd may not pass safety also...

lots of sportbikes for sale like that

could be something, could be nothing... but a possible reason why seller isnt getting a safety done...

getting a safety will increase the odds on a quick sale...
the safety expires after 36 days, so the seller is out the cash if bike isn't purchased in that time frame...

i bought my bike used with no safety and it passed the safety...
it's also bone stock though...

Rosey Toes did my safety for $40
 
jukon said:
I would stay away from "as is" bikes. If the guy can't care enough to get a piece of paper for you he likely can't care enough to take good care of the bike.
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regder said:
A safety certificate (a proper one, not even a shady cert.) means next to nothing as far as the actual bike condition goes. A certified bike can be in terrible shape and still pass the MTO regulations.
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I wanted to answer you (jukon) but the guy right after got the right answer, a motorcycle with a blowup engine will still pass the safety
 
From personal experience, Canadian Tire charges about $60 for a safety (only specific locations), and Pannon Moto Sports (located in streetsville - Mississauga) charges $80. I've taken 2 bikes to Canadian Tire so far and would personally recommend them over Pannon.

If they tell you they "aren't able to do it", insist that it can and that you've done it before... there's always someone lazy on the computer not wanting to bypass the automatic make/model CAR search.
 
Some great points and advice mentioned here. I'll keep all of those in mind when I get in touch with the seller.

I'm a bit of a backyard mechanic when it comes to my car but bikes are completely new and foreign to me.

In all reality, when I find the right first bike I will probably need a few of you experienced DIY guys to accompany and help me check it out in person. I've heard a lot of horror stories buying used bikes.
 
If you find a bike that runs well and you think the seller seems trustworthy then go for an uncertified bike if you want to save money. Sellers do always seem to jack the price up by 200 bucks or more when they sell it certified, but a safety is much cheaper than that. Just call Rosey Toes. Ted does house calls for 80 bucks. He'll show up on his Harley and have your bike done in under 10 minutes, he might eat some of your food and blow some farts, but he's reliable. He is the 'Kramer' of the TO bike scene. It's worth the price just to meet him. The day i called him to get my bike done it was around noon when i called and he showed up before 4pm the same day, which meant him coming from North York to my place in Mimico in rush hour yet he didn't complain at all.
 
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