I want to know whether it is better to buy a second-hand scooter or a new one from the showroom. What are the pros and cons of both?

Autocar India

•2h

Buying a new or used vehicle depends mainly on two factors: your mindset regarding used vehicles, as well as the price and condition of the vehicle in question.

If you plan to use the scooter every day for many years, a new one from the showroom is usually the safer bet. If your budget is tight or you only need it for a short period, a good pre-owned scooter can save money.

A new scooter works well when you want zero hassle. You get full warranty, a few free services, and roadside help, so surprises are rare. The trade-off is the high on-road price, higher first-year insurance, and the biggest drop in value happens in the first couple of years.

On the flip side, a used scooter makes sense when you find a clean one at a lower price. The catch is risk. You must deal with unknown wear and tear, and there’s also the chance that the vehicle might be out of warranty coverage.

Simple rule: pick new if you ride daily, plan to keep it long, or are someone who wants worry-free ownership. Pick used only if you can verify service records, the scooter is fairly recent and in good shape, and the price difference is substantial.

More questions on similar bikes

Jayant

•20h

Hi Autocar team. I booked a Bajaj Dominar 250 on March 9th from a dealership in Jammu. After six weeks of waiting and vague answers, I personally visited the showroom to demand an update. They showed me their system. The dealership is actively applying for the order, but the issue is entirely from Bajaj's end. The factory is simply not accepting the order. I am incredibly frustrated. Are there currently known production halts or severe supply chain issues for the Dominar 250? Any advice on how I can escalate this directly with Bajaj corporate to get a straight answer on my dispatch date?

Autocar India

•2h

The Bajaj Dominar 250 is not a high-volume product for Bajaj, and therefore, its production process isn't likely to be as speedy as something popular, say, a Platina. To expedite matters, you should ask your dealer for three things (preferably in writing or on e-mail): your order ID, the current status with a tentative dispatch week, and whether your colour is on hold. A worthwhile option worth considering is to source a bike from an alternative nearby dealer.If that also doesn't help you, put a short, polite post on Bajaj's official social media handles across various platforms. Also, mark the dealership’s General Manager and the Bajaj area sales manager, so you tick all the boxes.

Bajaj Dominar 250

Bajaj Platina 100

Ramesh Parameswaran

•2w

I am confused between the Yamaha MT-15 and the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V. Which one should I choose if I plan to own the bike for around 8 years, considering reliability, ease of ownership, and overall fun to ride?

Autocar India

•2w

Both the Yamaha MT-15 and TVS Apache RTR 200 4V are reliable machines offering you similiar levels of performance around the Rs 1.50 lakh mark. In general, Yamaha's products are easier to live with and service in comparison to TVS' offerings. Although it's not an exact science and sometimes boils down to your particular machine and the service centre you take it to. We'd recommend a test ride of both as well as visits to authorised service centres and showrooms of both bikes, so that you can make an informed decision.

Yamaha MT-15 Ver 2.0

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Maulana Imran

•2w

Which is better for daily use: the highness or the Yamaha XSR 155?

Autocar India

•2w

Both the Honda CB350 H'ness and Yamaha XSR155 are great everyday machines, but have different characters. The XSR is light, agile and a lively machine to ride with its R15-derived underpinnings. Its motor also returns excellent fuel economy. However, its stiff suspension setup will get tiring if you encounter bad roads daily. The CB350 H'ness is a relaxed neo-retro roadster which is very easy to ride and prioritises comfort over performance. While the H'ness won't be able to match the XSR for fuel economy, it is a reasonably fuel-efficient machine for its displacement. If you ride often with a pillion, then the more spacious Honda makes a better case for itself.Picking between the two will boil down to personal prefrence so we'd recommend a test ride of both to help you make a decision.

Honda Bikes CB350 H'ness

Yamaha XSR155

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