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A used e-scooter can be a bargain — or a stolen, worn-out or illegal one. These checks take ten minutes and are worth doing every time.
Before you go
- Is it legal where you live? Check its top speed and weight against your state’s e-scooter rules. In most states it must not go faster than 25 km/h (or be locked to it), and WA allows only 25 kg. Private e-scooters aren’t legal in public in NSW.
- Ask for the serial number and the model. A genuine seller will send a photo.
- Check the serial on EbikeMate’s free check — and ask whether there’s a receipt.
When you see it
- Match the serial on the scooter to the one you were sent. A scratched-off or missing serial sticker is a red flag. On Xiaomi scooters the serial is on a sticker beside the charging port and shows in the Mi Home app.
- Battery: charge level on the display, any swelling, cracks, burn marks or a chemical smell. Ask how old it is and how far it goes on a charge now.
- Charger: the original charger, with an RCM mark. Walk away from a scooter that comes with a no-name charger and a story.
- Folding latch and stem: lock it upright and rock the handlebars — there should be no play or clunking. A loose stem is dangerous.
- Brakes: both should stop the scooter firmly. Check pads or discs, and that the electronic brake cuts the motor.
- Tyres: cracks, flat spots, bulges, or a slow leak. Solid tyres last; pneumatic tyres ride better but puncture.
- Test ride somewhere safe and legal, with a helmet: smooth throttle, no cutting out, no grinding from the motor.
- Water damage: rust on bolts, corrosion in the charging port, or a fogged display.
After you buy
Register it free in an EbikeMate Passport: serial, photos and receipt in one private place. If it’s stolen you can flag it in one tap, and buyers can check it when you sell.
Register my e-scooter — free →
Common questions
How do I check if a used e-scooter is stolen?
Ask for the serial number, check it on a register such as EbikeMate’s free check, match it to the number on the scooter, and ask for the original receipt. A missing or damaged serial sticker is a warning sign.
Is a 40 km/h e-scooter legal?
In most Australian states an e-scooter must not be able to go faster than 25 km/h. A faster scooter is only legal there if it is limited to 25 km/h; otherwise it counts as an unregistered motor vehicle.
Sources
- How to check the Xiaomi Electric Scooter serial number — Xiaomi
- Using and charging e-scooters — Electrical Safety Office QLD
This guide explains things in general terms. It is not legal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.