Europe's biggest used motorbike retailer to appoint administrators as hundreds of jobs put at risk

Europe's biggest second-hand motorbike retailer has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.

SuperBike Factory, which is headquartered in Cheshire, lodged the notice on July 17, securing temporary court protection from creditors while it explores its options.

The company sells around 15,000 motorbikes each year through its network of six showrooms and its online platform.

A notice of intention to appoint administrators does not mean a company has entered administration, but it provides temporary protection from creditor action while rescue or restructuring options are considered.

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The filing marks a significant setback for a business that grew from a single showroom in Macclesfield into a nationwide retailer with sites across England, including West Yorkshire and West Sussex.

The company's latest published accounts, covering 2024 and filed in September last year, reported turnover of £83million and pre-tax profits of £8.5million.

However, the accounts also highlighted uncertainty surrounding the company's relationships with finance providers following a Court of Appeal ruling on discretionary commission arrangements and the potential for compensation claims from previous customers.

The business also identified the cost-of-living crisis and weaker consumer confidence as risks to future trading.

Alongside its retail operation, SuperBike Factory developed a motorcycle finance brokerage business, becoming one of the UK's largest intermediaries in the sector.

Scott Behrens and James Watson founded the company in 2010 with a business model centred on buying motorcycles in high volumes, refurbishing them and selling them through destination showrooms and online.

The company expanded rapidly over the following decade.

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Further sites opened in Bristol and Milton Keynes during 2023, while a sixth showroom in Crawley, located at the former P&H Motorcycles site, began operating in February this year.

Investment firm Endless acquired the business through its SME investment vehicle Enact in December 2023.

If administrators are appointed, SuperBike Factory would join a number of motorcycle businesses that have entered insolvency proceedings in recent years.

Completely Motorbikes, which operated 21 showrooms and recorded annual sales of around £70million, entered administration in October 2024.

Mutt Motorcycles and CCM Motorcycles also entered administration during 2025.

The wider motorbike market has faced challenging trading conditions.

New motorcycle registrations across the UK fell by 19 per cent last year, with the decline partly attributed to Euro5+ emissions regulations that brought forward demand into 2024.

Higher borrowing costs and weaker consumer spending have also affected both new and used motorcycle sales.

A notice of intention to appoint administrators gives a company time to negotiate with lenders, investors or potential buyers before a formal administration process begins, although there is no guarantee that a rescue deal will be secured.

GB News has contacted Enact for comment.

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