As we know, new quad bikes (atv's) can be beyond the budgets of a lot of people, so buying second-hand may well be a sensible alternative.

As long as you're not unlucky and end up with a used and abused 2nd hand ATV, there is no reason not to go for a used bike. This mainly applies to people who want to use them as a recreational vehicle. For professionals who need them for their living like pig farmers, or forrestry workers, a new quad bike will almost always make more sense as you can guarantee the quality of the machine, and get the full manufacturers warranty and support. For professionals, it probably makes sense to change your quad bike every 2 or 3 years.

Check Carefully
Yes, take care! A lot of quad bikes are used and abused beyond what they were designed to take. Some are kept without proper maintenance and kept for years and years, so its perfectly possible to come across a bike that will give you more headaches than its worth!

Buying a quad bike used can save you an initial £2000-£3000, but there will usually be higher running and maintenance costs associated with ownership.

What to look for? Well a decent service record is a good start. Like any machine, quad bikes need to have regular oil changes and servicing. You can't really tell just by looking either! A worn and torn machine from the outside may very well be perfectly mechanically sound, so don't judge a book by its cover! Likewise, a smart and tidy quad bike may have suffered mechanical neglect not easily spotted.

At the low prices they are offered, ex-farm work quads may seem like a bargain, but be wary. Its not uncommon to pay over the odds, then as they have had such a hard life, the cost to get the bike up to scratch can be more than the bike is worth!

Best advice? Try it out! Look out for things like smoking exhausts, bumping or clattering chains or drive shafts. Check all the gears by going through the whole gear box and check the 4 wheel drive system is operational.

We have put together a quick check list:

Electrics: Look for shorting wires, or removed or damaged accessories. Batteries are very long lasting but cost betweem £30 and £60 depending on their type.

Wheels: Check for damaged rims as this can suggest the bike has had its share of knocks and bumps. Check the tyres for wear (they should be around 2-3psi) and new tyres cost around £50+

Bodywork: Check all the panels (they cost a bit to repair, though they are not essential to the operation of the atv) and check things like mud flaps, instruments and gear lever etc.

Rear axle: Check this carefully as replacement can cost upwards of £500! Check for leaks from the seals - and check the level and condition of the oil (which becomes watery or muddy if there are problems with the seals).

Front axle: Best to check for loose steering joints and excessive bearing, or suspension link movement.

Engine: A quad bikes engine doesnt normally cause many problems, but watch out for a smoky exhaust (which can suggest worn valves), clattery noises while revving can suggest a worn camshaft or drive-chain which will need replacing (costing around £90). Check the oil level and condition, and dark thick oil suggests it hasn't been changed regularly enough, and a small of burning often means an overfilled crank-case causing high pressures/temperatures.

Who owns it?
Quads get stolen all the time (so we suggest you are careful where you store it and use proper security such as locks and alarms), so check engine and chasis number - if they are scratched or marked out that is a tell tale sign of a stolen quad. To be sure, check the ownership details with the manufacturers registered details.

Your local dealers should have 2nd hand quad bikes, but we'd recommend you check out ebay 1st, as there are usually some bargains to be had!

An ATV is an expensive purchase so it is important to make sure you’ve chosen the best ATV for your money purpose.

The biggest selling Quad Bike is for utility purposes, predominantly purchased by ranchers, farmers, anglers, etc. More and more people are combining ATV’s as utility and recreational vehicles.

So if you are struggling in determining what ATV would suit your needs then look no further.

It is vitally important that you don’t just buy the first quad that catches your eye, ride as many different makes and models as possible. This may be easy said than done, as many retailers may not offer a test drive facility. And those that do have a parking lot to take a quad for a spin won’t give you much indication as to the off-road capabilities of the vehicle. Ask friends who own quads for a drive and ask advice on their choice of vehicle.

Don’t make decisions based on the name of the brand. All Quad Bike vehicles manufactured today will be high quality and at least one will encompass the features that appeal to you. Instead of features, it is advisable to compare performance components such as engine, 4WD systems, transmission, brakes and suspension.

Engine
A 400cc engine is adequate for nearly every requirement, but compared to the features you may desire, a 500- class quad may be more appropriate. If you are a believe that bigger means better then manufactures can accommodate with 600, 650 and even 700cc engines. It is important to recognise that large engines won’t work as hard as smaller engines, meaning they will stay cooler.

4WD Systems
It is highly recommended to opt for a quad with 4WD. If you choose a quad without 4WD you will seriously regret it if confronted with deep water, mud or slow uphill climbs. It’s better to have it and not need it than to not have it and need it!!

It is hard to beat a push-button engagement where 4WD’s are concerned as an effective electronic setup.

Transmission
If you are looking for a utility quad, then an automatic transmission is ideal for concentrating on the work rather than shifting gears. But consider manual or semi-automatic transmissions, which are both pretty quick and easy for utility and recreation purposes. Many units will have continuously variable transmission (CVT) with belts. These belts may slip when wet resulting in excess wear so be careful.

Brakes
The standard braking systems on utility quads include two front and one rear brake system. Disk brakes are renowned for their superior stopping power and the ability to dispel water and dirt more efficiently than a drum.

Suspension
There is a high preference for independent rear suspension (IRS) these days but a swingarm setup is recommended. Whatever suspension you decide on it is important to look at pre-load shocks, preferably at the front and rear which will allow you to dampen the suspension with accordance to the riding conditions.

Now you know what you're looking for, we'd suggest you shop around and check out the prices.

We've found some of the best deals online, so check the quad bike deals out now.