The market for ebikes is growing inexorably. Since 2023, more ebikes have been sold annually in Germany than bicycles without electric assistance. As part of this trend, the market for second-hand ebikes is also growing rapidly. The interest is there. However, so is the uncertainty about how roadworthy a second-hand ebike actually still is. Bosch aims to provide greater certainty in this area in future. The solution of choice – a certificate called Certified by Bosch.
1. Are second-hand ebikes currently a hot topic in Germany?
2. What is Bosch’s certificate for second-hand ebikes?
3. What is its purpose?
4. What does the certificate list?
5. How is it ensured that the certificate and the ebike actually belong together?
6. How does the certificate enter the second-hand ebike market?
7. What is the situation regarding the acceptance of second-hand ebikes in Germany?
1. Are second-hand ebikes currently a hot topic in Germany?
Well, that depends on who you ask. In its 2026 report on cycling, bicycle insurer Alteos notes that only one per cent of the stationary bicycle trade considers the second-hand bicycle market to be of high strategic importance. However, this assessment clearly misses the mark when it comes to customer sentiment. Around 59 per cent of customers are open to buying a high-quality second-hand bike from a specialist retailer.
Providers such as Upway, Rebike, Velio or Cleverbikes have long recognised this and have moved into this gap. It is therefore hardly surprising that the Zukunft Fahrrad association notes in its market data for 2025 that the number of refurbished bicycles has been growing by an average of 68 per cent per year since 2023. And even this would not fully meet the demand.
2. What is Bosch’s certificate for second-hand ebikes?
Behind ‘Certified by Bosch’ lies a digital certificate. It applies exclusively to ebikes with a Bosch Smart System generation drive system. The digital certification provides information on the condition of the entire ebike system, i.e. the motor, battery, display, control unit and so on. Crucially for subsequent sale on the second-hand market, it also confirms that the ebike is not stolen.
3. What is its purpose?
With this initiative, Bosch aims to establish its own transparent, meaningful certification of the technical condition of the electric drive. It is intended to complement what specialist retailers provide with a workshop inspection or what refurbished suppliers offer with their externally certified refurbishments. In future, sellers will have a tool at their disposal to provide more substantiated proof of the quality of the ebike being sold. At the same time, you can see in detail what condition your desired ebike is in before purchasing.
However, the certificate is likely to be of greatest benefit when selling a used ebike privately on platforms such as ‘Kleinanzeigen’ or similar. This option is currently excluded, however. This is because, at the start of the project, Bosch is expressly not making the certificate available to private individuals. Regardless of this, the manufacturer is likely to have considered this sales channel. We wouldn’t be surprised if, in the foreseeable future, the option were introduced to obtain the certificate via the Bosch eBike Flow app, for example.
4. What does the certificate list?
Using a rating system with a minimum of one star and a maximum of five stars, the certificate provides information on the ebike components. The assessment always refers to the time the certification was issued. For the battery, for example, the number of charge cycles and the remaining capacity are key factors. For the motor, you can see how many kilometres it has already travelled and how much wear and tear it has undergone. In addition, the certificate lists the following information:
- brand
- model year
- frame number
- motor serial number
- ebike battery serial number
- ebike not reported as stolen in the Bosch eBike Flow app
- no evidence of tuning
If the ebike has been reported to Bosch as stolen or modified, no certificate will be issued.
5. How is it ensured that the certificate and the ebike actually belong together?
The easiest way to verify the details on the certificate against the actual ebike is to simply check the ebike itself. The serial numbers are marked on the battery and the motor. By comparing these with the information on the certificate, you can quickly see if everything is correct. You can also scan a QR code integrated into the certificate to verify the authenticity of the ebike.
6. How does the certificate enter the second-hand ebike market?
The manufacturer has secured refurbishment provider Rebike as its first partner for Certified by Bosch. According to Bosch, from July 2026, Rebike will issue the certificate for all second-hand ebikes featuring the Bosch Smart System. Initially, this will apply to Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland. Without specifying a timeframe, Rebike intends to extend this measure to Belgium, Italy, Spain and other European countries at a later date. The certificate is expected to be displayed in Rebike’s online shops, its own stores, on partner marketplaces and in selected shop-in-shop areas at Decathlon.
Bosch has announced plans to roll out ‘Certified by Bosch’ in specialist retail stores across Europe from early 2027. It is quite possible that agreements with further partners will have been concluded by then. One conceivable scenario here is collaboration with other refurbishment providers or players in the leasing sector.
7. What is the situation regarding the acceptance of second-hand ebikes in Germany?
Rebike does not only cooperate with Bosch. The company also surveys Germans from time to time on their attitudes towards refurbished ebikes. A recent survey was conducted this spring. Through the market research institute Appinio, Rebike surveyed 1,000 people aged between 16 and 65 on this topic during the first week of April 2026.
The survey focused specifically on refurbished ebikes. These are second-hand ebikes that a company professionally inspects, repairs, cleans, tests and then puts back on sale. Exactly 61.8 per cent of those surveyed stated that they could envisage buying a professionally refurbished ebike. The most important factor in their decision to buy would be the price. After that, the ebike’s specifications – such as the drive system, riding comfort and technical performance – would determine their choice. Close behind are the warranty and return policies. In fourth and fifth place are aspects such as the sustainability associated with the purchase and the service provided when choosing a model.
People rated the lower price as the biggest advantage over a new ebike. At 58.1 per cent, this argument received by far the most mentions. It was also important to them that the return and warranty policies were similar to those for a new ebike, that the used ebikes had been professionally refurbished and that they could acquire a model from a premium brand in this way. Aspects such as quick availability and the sustainability of such a purchase also received significant support, each accounting for around 20 per cent.
Save money on the purchase and then switch to an ebike
The option to use this as a way to get started with ebike riding was cited as the strongest motivation for buying a second-hand ebike. The fact that they could buy a higher-quality ebike also played a role. For as many as 13.1 per cent of respondents, the fact that a second-hand ebike would allow them to switch from their current mode of transport – be it a car or public transport – to an ebike was a key factor.
When asked which feature instilled the most confidence and trust in a professionally refurbished ebike, a certificate from a drive manufacturer such as Bosch did not yet appear as a response option. Of course, at that time neither Bosch nor any other manufacturer offered such a solution. The most important factor for respondents was a technical test report. This was followed by a certificate or seal of approval from an independent institute such as Stiftung Warentest. A certificate or seal of approval from the refurbished supplier only came in third place. However, according to the survey, the names of well-known ebike manufacturers and the names of well-known drive manufacturers also inspire confidence.
To put the figures into perspective, it should be noted that, according to Appinio, 46.8 per cent of respondents stated that they use an ebike, albeit in some cases less frequently than once a month. Given that of the approximately 90 million bicycles in Germany, only around 17 million are ebikes, the group of ebike riders appears to have been relatively prominent here.
Pictures: Bosch eBike Systems GmbH; Rebike Mobility GmbH