Published: April 19, 2018

If you've been dreaming of owning a moped to buzz around town, Parking Services offers tips to protect you so you won't mope over your used moped purchase.

There have been recent situations when a student who purchased a used moped learned the previous owner incurred hundreds of dollars of unpaid citations that the new owner was liable for because they had no proof of purchase to prove previous ownership.

How can you avoid this situation?

At the time of the purchase, create a bill of sale and have it notarized including the date of sale, seller’s name, address and contact information before paying and completing the purchase. The Elevations Credit Union at UMC has a notary available during business hours for both account and non-account holders.

Did you know?

Mopeds must have a CU Boulder permit and park in a motorcycle lot. Learn more.

When arriving at Parking Services to purchase your moped permit, if there are outstanding citations on the moped’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the new owner is able to present the notarized bill of sale, including the previous owner’s contact information.

If the citations were issued prior to the new owner’s purchase date, the new owner is released from paying the citations. Parking Services will contact the previous owner for payment of outstanding citations. If there is no notarized bill of sale, the new owner is liable to pay all outstanding citations.

What if the previous owner claims their moped was stolen and it’s in your possession? A bill of sale proves you paid for and are the legal owner of the moped.

Be safe. Be protected. Be aware.