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A used VanMoof can be a good deal, but only if the bike's digital key is properly transferred to you and the known weak points work. VanMoof went bankrupt in 2023 and the brand was taken over by Lavoie, so service exists again, but many S3 and X3 bikes depend on the app and on parts that are not cheap. Prices have dropped a lot, which also attracts stolen and broken bikes.
The S3 (large frame) and X3 (compact frame) from 2020 are by far the most common on Marktplaats. The S5 and A5 came in 2023, just before the bankruptcy, and are less common and more expensive. Older Electrified S2 and X2 bikes and non-electric models still turn up too. Under the new owner newer models have followed, but those are rarely cheap used.
All of them are designed around the app: opening the lock, settings and diagnostics go through your phone, and the bike is tied to an account. That is the core difference with any other used e-bike: you are buying hardware plus an account link, and both need to work.
Without the digital key, a VanMoof is hard to use and can lock itself. After the bankruptcy, owners were urged to export their keys, and third-party apps made that possible. Today the seller should transfer ownership to you through the VanMoof app or account, so the bike appears in your app.
Do this transfer at the handover, before you pay. If the seller says the bike works fine 'without the app', can't log in, or wants to sort it out later, walk away. A VanMoof that can't be transferred is either stolen or a project.
The S3 and X3 had a reputation for faults, and a bike that has been fixed under warranty in the past is not necessarily a lemon. Test these specifically:
Many VanMoof parts are proprietary, so a normal bike shop often can't help with electronics. Independent VanMoof repair specialists appeared after the bankruptcy, especially in Amsterdam and the larger cities, and the brand's own service network has been rebuilding. Before buying, find out where you would take this bike and what common repairs cost there. A failed motor controller or battery can cost more than the bike is worth used.
If the seller has receipts for repairs, ask to see them. A recent new battery or controller is a plus.
VanMoofs are popular with thieves, and a working bike with a bad digital story is the typical stolen listing. Check the frame number and insist on the in-app transfer. A cheap price plus 'no app' is the full warning.
On vindje.com you can ask for a VanMoof S3 or X3 with the app transfer included and recent battery, and skip listings that are parts-only or locked. Expect to pay noticeably more for bikes sold with proof of a recent service, and that premium is usually worth it.
Last tip: check whether the bike still has its original charger. The S3 and X3 charger is specific to the bike, and a replacement is another cost to factor into your offer. Also look at the tyres and brake pads, as they are cheap to replace but give you room to negotiate.
| Item | Typical asking price |
|---|---|
| VanMoof Electrified S2 or X2 | EUR 200-500 |
| VanMoof S3 or X3, working, with app transfer | EUR 450-950 |
| VanMoof S5 or A5 | EUR 1000-1800 |
| VanMoof for parts or locked | EUR 50-250 |
Rough Marktplaats asking prices in the Netherlands. Condition, age and season move them a lot.
Describe what you want in your own words and vindje.com searches Marktplaats in Dutch, then reads every listing and keeps only the real matches. For example:
VanMoof S3 or X3 with working e-shifter, ownership transfer in the app, under 800 euro, within 20 km of AmsterdamSearch Marktplaats like this
It can be, if the seller transfers the bike to your account in the app at the handover and the e-shifter, lock and motor work on a test ride.
Partly, depending on the model and setup, but you need the digital key to open the lock and change settings. A bike without a transferable key is risky.
The brand's service network under its new owner and independent VanMoof specialists, mostly in larger Dutch cities. Normal bike shops can do brakes and tyres.
Roughly EUR 450-950 depending on condition, battery and whether the app transfer works. Locked or faulty ones sell for parts.