Bosch certifies used e-bikes: Does this make second-hand purchases safe?

The market for used and reconditioned e-bikes is growing, but many prospective buyers are unsure about the actual condition of the bikes. The battery and motor are a particular cause for concern. With "Certified by Bosch", drive specialist Bosch eBike Systems is now responding to this problem and is the first manufacturer to offer standardised certification for the used market.

Condition rating by star system

The digital certificate records the condition of the battery and drive at the time of the test and displays it in a star system. The more stars, the better the condition. For the battery, the number of charging cycles and the remaining capacity in per cent are shown, among other things. For the drive unit, values such as the distance travelled and the power consumption to date are included in the rating.

The certificate also contains information on the brand, model year and frame number. Another security aspect: the system checks whether the e-bike has been reported as stolen in the eBike Flow app or whether there are any indications of tuning. By comparing the serial numbers of the battery and drive unit, buyers can verify that the certificate actually belongs to the bike on offer. The authenticity of the certificate can be checked using a QR code.

Launch with Rebike, later also in specialist shops

Refurbishment specialist Rebike will be the first partner to certify all e-bikes with a Bosch system and label them with the corresponding certificate from July 2026. The launch will initially take place in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands. The certified models will be offered via the Rebike online shop, own stores, partner marketplaces and selected shop-in-shop areas at Decathlon. Other European markets are to follow.

"In addition to our own services, such as our TÜV-certified premium refurbishment programme and the two-year Rebike warranty on the motor and battery, we are now creating even more transparency about the condition of our models with Bosch systems with Certified by Bosch," explains Sven Erger, COO and co-founder of Rebike.

From the beginning of 2027, Bosch also wants to make the certificate available to specialist bicycle retailers in Europe to support the sale of used e-bikes.

Environmental aspect as an additional argument

Bosch also emphasises the ecological benefits of used e-bikes. According to the company, buying a used e-bike with a Bosch system can save up to 208 kg of CO₂ compared to new production, which corresponds to around 80 per cent of the emissions of a new e-bike. The reason: no new materials are required and no new components are manufactured.

Claus Fleischer, Managing Director of Bosch eBike Systems, emphasises the importance of the used market: "It makes e-bikes accessible to more people and contributes to sustainable mobility."

However, the new certificate only works for e-bikes with the "smart system" from Bosch, not for all of the manufacturer's e-bikes. The coming years will show how the certification will affect prices and whether it can establish itself as a standard on the second-hand market.