Thinking About a
Used Moped?
A cheap scooter on Craigslist or OfferUp can look like a deal. Here is what we see when those scooters roll into our shop — and why buying new usually costs less in the end.
"It Just Needs a Battery"
That is the line we hear most. Someone buys a used scooter because the seller says it only needs a new battery. Then it comes into our shop, and the real story is different: the scooter has been sitting for months or years, the old gas has gummed up the carburetor, and it needs a major tune-up before it will run right. Sometimes it has sat so long that the keys are gone and the tires have dry-rotted too.
Clogged Carburetor
Gas left sitting turns to varnish and clogs the carburetor. A new battery will not fix that — it needs to be cleaned or rebuilt.
Major Tune-Up
After months of sitting, a scooter usually needs much more than a battery to run reliably again.
Lost Keys
Long-stored scooters often come with no keys at all, which means replacing the ignition or locks.
Dry-Rotted Tires
Tires crack and harden with age even if the scooter was never ridden. Cracked tires are not safe to ride on.
💸 The Real Price Tag
In our shop, getting a used scooter like this back on the road usually costs anywhere from $250 to $700 or more — on top of what you paid for it. The money you saved by buying used goes right back into getting it running like new.
Used vs. New: What It Really Costs
Here is how a cheap used scooter compares to a new one once you add everything up.
| Used Scooter | New from FE Motorsports | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Whatever you negotiate | From $999 + tax & registration |
| Getting it running | Often $250–$700+ in repairs | Assembled, inspected and started for you |
| Registration | DMV appointment, lines, possible CHP inspection | Done here in about 30 minutes |
| Warranty | Usually sold as-is | 90 days parts & labor on most models |
| After the sale | You are on your own | Parts in stock, mechanic on site, oil changes |
The DMV Part Nobody Mentions
Registering a used scooter yourself in California can take days. Appointments are often weeks out. When you finally get there, you wait in line again before you see anyone. They start your paperwork — and in many cases send you to the CHP for an inspection before you can come back to the DMV and get your actual registration. Multiple trips, multiple lines, and time off work.
When you buy new from us, prices are plus tax and registration, and we handle the registration right here. From the time you pay, vehicle prep and registration usually take about 30 minutes, so most customers ride home within the hour.
If You Still Want to Buy Used
If you are set on a used scooter, go in with your eyes open:
- Ask how long it has been sitting. If it has not run in months, plan on carburetor work and a tune-up, not just a battery.
- Watch it start cold. If the seller has already warmed it up, or it will not start without a jump, be cautious.
- Get the keys. No keys means replacing the ignition or locks.
- Check the tires. Cracks in the sidewall or tread mean new tires before you ride.
- Check the paperwork. Make sure the title is in the seller's name and the registration is current, or you may be the one dealing with the DMV and possibly the CHP.
- Budget for repairs. Add $250–$700+ to the price before you decide it is a deal.
Already bought one that will not run? Our service department works on Chinese scooters every day. See our scooter repair page →
Why We Only Sell New
At this price range, a used scooter usually means buying someone else's problems. That is why we only sell new — and why we do not take trade-ins. FE Motorsports is the authority on scooters and mopeds in Los Angeles, and after more than 25 years we would rather put you on something that starts every morning.
Ready to Ride
Every scooter is assembled, inspected and started before it leaves our shop.
Registered in ~30 Minutes
We handle the registration. No DMV appointment, no CHP trip.
90-Day Warranty
90 days parts and labor on most models — from a local shop that picks up the phone.
100+ MPG
The Boom Evolution 50cc starts from $999 and gets over 100 miles per gallon.
💵 Layaway — Easy, Your Way
Not ready to pay all at once? Start with 50% down and pay the rest weekly or on payday — however you want to plan it — as long as it is paid off within 8 weeks.
Keep Reading
Cheap Mopeds & Scooters in Los Angeles
New scooters from $999, with MPG, warranty and registration explained.
Read more →50cc Scooter Guide — Los Angeles
Everything to know about the most affordable way to ride.
Read more →Frequently Asked Questions
Skip the Repairs. Skip the DMV.
Walk in, pick a new scooter, and ride home within the hour. 2916 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles — right off the Santa Fe Ave exit from the 10.
📞 Call (323) 588-6634 📍 Get Directions