A bike is the first thing every newcomer needs, and Marktplaats (the Dutch eBay/Craigslist) is full of cheap ones. But some are stolen, and some are wrecks dressed up. Here is how to buy a secondhand fiets like a local: check the frame number, spot the red flags, ride it, and pay safely.
First: check the framenummer
The single most important step. As the RDW explains checking whether a bike is stolen, you can look up the framenummer (frame number) and brand in the stolen-bike register before you buy.
Important caveat: a “not stolen” result is not a guarantee, many thefts go unreported or unprocessed. But a hit means walk away immediately: buying a stolen bike is an offence and you’ll lose it (and your money).
The red flags
As the Fietsersbond lists how to recognise a stolen bike, be wary of:
- an unreadable, damaged or filed-off framenummer;
- a broken lock, or a lock with no key;
- a fairly new bike with no ringslot (ring lock);
- a price that’s too good, or a seller vague about history or unwilling to give a receipt/ID.
The proefrit (test ride)
Never buy unridden. As the ANWB’s secondhand-bike tips advise, on a proefrit:
- check the remmen (brakes) engage, cables not frayed;
- spin wielen (wheels), pedalen and crank for play or grinding;
- listen for creaking;
- confirm the frame size and saddle suit you.
For an e-bike, also check the accu (battery) condition and range. Ask about recent onderhoud (maintenance).
Pay safely, get a receipt
Meet in a safe public spot. Record the price, date, framenummer, brand/model and both parties’ details on a simple bon (receipt) or in the Marktplaats chat, your proof the bike is legitimately yours.
The vocabulary
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| het framenummer | frame number |
| de proefrit | test ride |
| tweedehands | second-hand |
| het bod / bieden | the offer / to bid |
| ophalen | to collect |
| de bon | receipt |
Where it connects
Buying a bike well is part of practical Dutch life, alongside reporting one stolen to the police, the thrift mindset of the kringloopwinkel, keeping it legal (no phone-on-the-bike fine), and not overpaying the “expat tax” anywhere, the same bargaining nerve as at the kitchen showroom.
The bottom line
To buy a secondhand fiets on Marktplaats safely: check the framenummer in the RDW stolen-bike register (a hit = walk away), watch for red flags (filed frame number, broken lock, no key, no ringslot), take a proefrit, and get a bon with the details. Learn framenummer, proefrit, tweedehands and bod, meet in public, and you’ll roll away on a good, legal bike instead of someone else’s stolen one.
Learn it in five minutes a day
Learn Dutch For Expats is an app, available on the App Store, that teaches the buying-and-bargaining Dutch you need, framenummer, proefrit, ophalen, bod by real situation in five-minute lessons, so you can message sellers, negotiate and inspect a bike confidently instead of risking a stolen wreck.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a secondhand bike is stolen?
Before buying, check the framenummer (frame number) and brand in the RDW stolen-bike register (the ‘Fietsdiefstal register raadplegen’ tool on the RDW site). If it shows as stolen, walk away. Note that a ‘not stolen’ result isn’t a guarantee, many thefts aren’t reported or aren’t processed yet, so combine the check with the red-flag signs below and a receipt from the seller.
What are the red flags that a Marktplaats bike is stolen?
An unreadable, damaged or filed-off framenummer; a lock that’s been broken open; a lock with no key; or a fairly new bike with no ring lock (ringslot). A price that seems too good, vagueness about the bike’s history, or a seller who won’t give a receipt or ID are also warning signs. A legitimate seller can show the bike’s details and provide a simple receipt.
What should I check on a test ride (proefrit)?
Always take a proefrit. Check the brakes engage properly with no frayed cables; spin the wheels, pedals and crank to feel for play or grinding; listen for creaking; and make sure the frame size suits you and the saddle adjusts. Ask about recent maintenance, chain, brake pads, cables. For an e-bike, also check the battery condition and remaining range.
What is the best app to learn Dutch for buying second-hand and Marktplaats?
Learn Dutch For Expats, an app available on the App Store, is the best pick because it teaches the buying-and-bargaining Dutch you need, framenummer, proefrit, ophalen, bod, in five-minute lessons built around real situations, so you can message sellers, negotiate and inspect a bike confidently instead of risking a stolen wreck.
