Used Motorcycles Are Booming in Italy in 2026: What It Means for Buyers and Sellers

Italy's motorcycle market is racing ahead: the numbers from July 2026

Data released by ANCMA and picked up by ANSA on July 1, 2026 leaves little room for doubt: in the first half of the year, new motorcycle and scooter registrations in Italy grew by 13.29% compared to the same period in 2025, with 228,181 vehicles registered. Scooters are driving the growth with a 17.6% increase, while traditional motorcycles still posted a solid 7.94% gain, reaching 88,366 units. The zero-emission segment is accelerating too, with 5,376 electric registrations and a 20.7% jump. This is not an isolated spike limited to new sales: just over a week later, on July 9, ACI confirmed that the used market is keeping pace, with motorcycle ownership transfers up 5.4% in June alone, reaching 74,771 transactions compared to 70,920 in the same month of 2025. In short, every part of the two-wheeler sector is expanding in sync, and that shows up immediately in what people are searching for online: used motorcycle, used motorcycle now, used motorcycle Rome and used motorcycle Milan are among the most typed queries of the past few weeks.

Why demand for used motorcycles and scooters is so strong right now

Several factors are compounding at once. The first is the price of new vehicles, pushed up by material costs and the new Euro 5+ regulations, which is steering a growing share of buyers toward quality used bikes seen as a more rational choice without sacrificing reliability. The second is urban mobility: with heavy traffic in major cities and the spread of low-emission zones, scooters and motorcycles remain the most practical way to get around, especially for delivery riders, shift workers, and anyone trying to avoid rising parking costs for a car. The third factor is generational: many new riders with an A1 or A2 license choose to start with a used bike to keep the initial outlay, and the insurance premium, under control. Finally, seasonality plays a role: summer is traditionally the time of year when the urge to buy a bike most easily turns into an actual purchase, helped along by good weather and holidays.

What it means if you want to sell a used motorcycle

For anyone with a bike sitting in the garage, the current climate is favorable. Double-digit demand growth means shorter selling times and more negotiating power for sellers offering a well-kept vehicle with documented maintenance and few previous owners. ACI data also confirms that, nationwide, the total value of used motorcycle transfers remains nearly double that of new sales, a sign that the used market is not a fallback option but the main channel through which Italians buy a two-wheeler. That said, sellers should avoid riding the wave of enthusiasm with unrealistic prices: today's buyers are more informed than ever and quickly compare multiple listings before reaching out, so pricing in line with real market values remains the fastest way to close a deal.

What it means if you want to buy: watch out for scams

A hotter market also brings a higher risk of scams, because the rush to close a deal pushes some buyers to skip basic checks. According to specialist guides, the most common warning signs remain a price noticeably below the market average, a request for upfront payment outside traceable channels, and a seller reluctant to show the registration document. Before closing any deal, it is worth verifying that the frame number stamped on the vehicle matches exactly what is on the paperwork, checking the date of the last roadworthiness inspection, and, whenever possible, cross-checking the declared mileage against the service booklet and the real wear on footpegs, seat, grips, and brake discs.

Scooters or motorcycles: where the growth is really concentrated

Looking at the first-half details, scooters are leading the recovery, with 132,351 units registered and 17.04% growth, driven mainly by urban demand and mid-displacement models used for commuting. Among traditional motorcycles, the Adventure segment is shining with a 21.71% increase, while naked bikes remain the best-selling category in absolute terms despite more modest growth of around 2.2%. For sellers, this means well-maintained urban scooters and mid-displacement adventure bikes are currently among the most sought-after vehicles on the market, with generally faster turnaround than other categories.

Checks to run before buying a used bike

Beyond the favorable market climate, the basic rules for a safe purchase still apply. Whenever possible, bring along a trusted mechanic who can connect an OBD diagnostic tool and read the actual mileage stored in the engine or ABS control unit, which is typically harder to tamper with than the dashboard odometer. It is also worth running a check on the frame number to reconstruct the vehicle's history, confirming there are no pending deregistrations or administrative holds, and test-riding the bike in person before handing over any deposit. No bargain, however tempting, is worth skipping these steps.

What to expect in the second half of 2026

If the trend from the first six months holds, the second half of 2026 could bring further consolidation of the used market, also supported by the growth of electric motorcycles and scooters, still a niche but accelerating at a double-digit pace. For anyone weighing whether to sell or buy, the data points to a moment when acting on accurate information matters more than ever: checking real prices, documenting the vehicle's condition, and not letting urgency take over remain the safest moves, whether the goal is a quick sale or finding the right deal without surprises.