Pre-Purchase Bike Inspection Sydney | Tune Cycles
Pre-Purchase Bike Inspection · Sydney

Don't buy the
wrong bike.
Inspect it first.

Secondhand bikes on Marketplace and Gumtree can be great value — or a very expensive mistake. A $149 inspection by a certified mechanic tells you exactly what you're getting before you hand over the cash.

Book an Inspection — $149 0468 886 330
Pre-Purchase Inspection
Full mechanical & safety assessment
Flat fee $149
Mobile (we go to the bike) or Marrickville workshop
Book Now — $149
What's included
  • Frame & Fork inspection for cracks, damage and crash history
  • Brakes — pad wear, rotor condition, lever feel and bleed status
  • Drivetrain — chain wear, cassette, chainrings, shifting performance
  • Headset & Bottom Bracket — play, wear, bearing condition
  • Wheels & Tyres — true, hub condition, spoke tension, tyre wear
  • Suspension — sag, seals, stanchion condition (if applicable)
  • eBike systems — motor, battery health, display (if applicable)
  • Written report with findings and estimated repair costs
586+ Five-Star Reviews
Australia's Only Authorised Mobile Shimano Centre
Bosch & Shimano Steps eBike Certified
30-Day Workmanship Guarantee
Why it matters

Secondhand bikes hide
expensive problems.

A bike that looks clean in photos can have a cracked frame, a worn-out drivetrain, a motor fault, or suspension that hasn't been serviced in years. These aren't cosmetic issues — they're safety hazards and costly repairs.

For $149, you get a certified mechanic's assessment before any money changes hands. If the bike's in great shape, you buy with confidence. If it's got issues, you negotiate, walk away, or know exactly what you're taking on.

  • Know the true condition before you commit
  • Get a written report with estimated repair costs
  • Use findings to negotiate a better price
  • We go to wherever the bike is — no transport needed
  • Covers all bike types including eBikes
$149
Flat Inspection Fee
586+
Five-Star Reviews
6
Certified Mechanics
30
Day Guarantee
The inspection

Every system.
Checked properly.

Our inspection covers every mechanical system — frame to drivetrain, brakes to suspension. Nothing skipped, nothing assumed. You get the full picture.

Frame & Structure
Safety-critical assessment
  • Frame inspection for cracks, dents, and crash damage
  • Fork inspection — steerer tube, crown, dropouts
  • Weld quality and paint condition as indicators of damage
  • Cable routing and housing condition
  • Seat post — corrosion, creaking, clamp condition
  • Headset — play, bearing wear, cup condition
Drivetrain
Wear and performance assessment
  • Chain wear measurement — replacement indicator
  • Cassette condition — shark-fin wear, tooth profile
  • Chainrings — wear, bent teeth, bolt torque
  • Shifting performance — indexed correctly, cable tension
  • Bottom bracket — play, bearing condition, creak diagnosis
  • Derailleur hanger — alignment, damage
Brakes & Wheels
Stopping power and rolling performance
  • Brake pad wear — remaining thickness, alignment
  • Rotor condition — thickness, warping, scoring
  • Hydraulic bleed status — lever feel, sponginess
  • Wheel true — lateral and radial runout
  • Hub condition — bearing play, freehub engagement
  • Tyre wear and sidewall condition
Suspension
If applicable — fork & rear shock
  • Stanchion condition — scratches, pitting, seal leaks
  • Sag and air pressure check
  • Rebound and compression — function and range
  • Service history indicators — oil contamination, worn seals
  • Rear shock — eyelet condition, piggyback reservoir
  • Dropper post — actuation, bleed status, collar condition
eBike inspections

Buying a secondhand
eBike? Don't skip this.

eBike batteries degrade over time — a battery that looks fine can hold 60% of its original capacity. Motors can have hidden faults that only appear under load. These are expensive components to replace and sellers aren't always forthcoming.

As a Bosch and Shimano Steps certified service centre, we carry the diagnostic tooling to read battery cycle counts, assess motor health, and check for stored fault codes — information a standard mechanic simply can't access.

Bosch Certified
Shimano Steps Certified
SRAM Certified
Battery Health
Cycle count, capacity degradation, cell balance — the numbers that tell you the real story on a used battery.
Motor Diagnostics
Stored fault codes, torque sensor function, firmware version — assessed with manufacturer diagnostic software.
Display & Connectivity
Display condition, app connectivity, assist modes all functioning correctly across the full range.
Charging System
Charge port condition, charger compatibility, charge cycle confirmation to verify the battery accepts a full charge.
Written eBike Report
Battery health score, motor status, estimated remaining service life, and any flagged issues — all documented.
The process

Book, inspect,
buy with confidence.

The whole process is designed around the buyer — not the seller, not the workshop. We come to wherever the bike is.

STEP 01
Book Online
Book at map.tunecycles.com.au. Tell us the bike's location, your preferred time, and whether it's an eBike. Flat fee of $149 confirmed at booking.
STEP 02
We Go to the Bike
A certified mechanic travels to the seller's location — home, apartment, or wherever the bike is. You're welcome to attend. No bike transport required.
STEP 03
Full Assessment
Every system inspected in detail. Mechanical, safety, and eBike systems (if applicable) all assessed using professional tools and diagnostic equipment.
STEP 04
Written Report
You receive a written inspection report with all findings and estimated repair costs. Use it to negotiate, walk away, or buy with complete confidence.
Service options

We go to
wherever the bike is.

No need to transport the bike before you've even bought it. We come to the seller's location, or you can arrange drop-off at our Marrickville workshop.

Mobile Inspection
We come to the bike
Our mechanic travels to the seller's address anywhere across Sydney. You don't have to move the bike, arrange transport, or convince the seller to visit a workshop. We show up, inspect on-site, and hand you the report.
Seller's home, apartment, or storage unit
Sydney-wide coverage
You can attend the inspection
Flat fee $149 — no callout surcharge
Workshop Drop-Off
Marrickville — 54/76B Edinburgh Rd
If the seller is willing, you can arrange for the bike to be dropped at our Marrickville workshop. Ideal for inspections where the seller is local and happy to bring the bike to us.
54/76B Edinburgh Road, Marrickville NSW 2204
Monday to Friday, workshop hours
Same flat fee — $149
Report ready same day in most cases
Common questions

Things buyers
ask us first.

If it's not answered here, call us on 0468 886 330 — we're happy to talk it through before you book.

"Does the seller need to be present?"
The seller needs to provide access to the bike, but they don't need to hover. Most sellers are happy to leave us to it once they understand it's a legitimate pre-purchase inspection. We carry professional ID and all bookings are confirmed in advance.
"What if the bike fails the inspection?"
We don't pass or fail bikes — we provide a factual written report of what we found. You then decide whether to buy, walk away, or use the findings to negotiate a lower price. Many buyers use a damning report to get $200–$500 off the asking price — more than covering the inspection cost.
"Can you inspect any brand or type of bike?"
Yes — road, MTB, gravel, hybrid, and eBike. We're Shimano authorised, SRAM certified, and Bosch and Shimano Steps eBike certified, which means we can carry out motor and battery diagnostics on the major eBike systems — something most mobile mechanics can't do.
"How far in advance do I need to book?"
We recommend booking at least 48 hours in advance to secure a time slot that suits both you and the seller. If you need something urgent, call us directly on 0468 886 330 and we'll do our best to accommodate.
"Is the $149 worth it on a cheaper bike?"
A worn drivetrain alone can cost $200–$400 to replace. A degraded eBike battery can cost $800+. On any bike over $500, the inspection pays for itself if it uncovers even one hidden issue — and it usually does. On a $2,000 secondhand bike, it's a no-brainer.
"Do you cover all Sydney suburbs?"
Yes — we operate Sydney-wide for mobile inspections. Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, North Shore, Northern Beaches, Hills District, South Sydney, and beyond. If you're unsure whether we cover your area, give us a call before booking.
What buyers say

Real inspections.
Real outcomes.

From catching hidden faults to buying with complete confidence — here's what Tune Cycles pre-purchase inspection customers say.

★★★★★
"Found a Trek Fuel EX on Marketplace for $3,200. Tune Cycles inspected it and found a bent derailleur hanger, worn cassette, and a Fox fork that hadn't been serviced in years. Negotiated $600 off the asking price. Best $149 I've ever spent."
Tom R. — Pre-purchase inspection / Balmain
★★★★★
"Was buying a Specialized Turbo Levo SL off Gumtree. Tune Cycles did a full eBike inspection — battery at 82% capacity, motor had a stored fault code the seller knew nothing about. Walked away from that one. Found a better bike the following week with their help."
Claire M. — eBike inspection / Mosman
★★★★★
"Bought a secondhand Canyon Aeroad off Facebook. Tune Cycles inspected it at the seller's place in Newtown, found it was in great condition, and I bought it the same afternoon with a full written report in hand. Couldn't have been smoother."
Sam W. — Pre-purchase inspection / Newtown

Don't guess.
Inspect it first.

$149 flat fee. We go to the bike. Written report included. Sydney-wide.

Book an Inspection — $149 📞 0468 886 330