Modern Vespa

My wife and I have been considering buying a scooter. I ran across an ad for a 2012 s 150 ie with 9k miles on it. The seller says it won't turn over. He said all lights work. It appears to be in great condition, other than possibly needing new tires. He is asking $1400, although I suspect I can get him down a bit.
My question is, "am I crazy to consider buying a scooter that won't turn over?"
I would be comfortable troubleshooting the common battery, fuses, switches that would prevent it from turning over, but but I'd be in over my head if it had a major problem with the engine.
I was hoping for some input from more experienced owners.
Thanks

Bring a jump starter and $1,400 cash with you. Try talking him down. Don't show him the jump starter or the cash at first.

This time of year, with that low miles on a 10+ year old bike, good chance it's just a battery with enough juice to light up the dash, but not enough left to get her to start.

I don't think you're crazy, but I would show up with cash, and a portable starter in the car. Don't give him a chance to back out if he sees how easy you start it. Agree on the price first, then give the jumper a try before you buy.

yup buy it for 1k or less .

i agree probably just a battery

after you have the title signed in you hand then try the jump pack

worse case is even if you cant get it to run after you get home you can part it out and probably double your money on it

Same as above plus a multimeter for checking fuses and a handful of spare fuses

Also check the kill switch and be sure to pull in one (or both) of the brakes before you hit the starter.

Sometimes it's the simple things.

true dat

R & R'd the handle bar covers on my Liberty to recover a windscreen mount part. Back together and wouldn't even turn over - bummer. Fortunately I noticed the kill switch before pulling it back apart.

OFG

Best time of the year to buy, so if you follow all the advice given, you'll be good. Also be aware that you will probably need to replace the belt and rollers, air filter, plug as well as the tires, so figure that in too. If you can get it for a reasonable price for you, great, but be prepared to walk away if not.

and oil and filter and gear oil and brake fluid and may as well do the coolant while you're there...

Yep, but I don't think it needs coolant, should be air cooled.

lmao, shit, you got me

Thanks for all the advice. I went and looked at the scooter today and didn't buy it. I pulled onto the street where the guy lived and it looked like a used motorcycle graveyard between this guys house and the one across the street. There were at least 15 bikes in the driveways and on a trailer in the street. This made me leary, but then I checked the scooter. The guy had said the lights turned on, but he had completely remove the battery. Fortunately, I brought a battery to check it, and go figure.... lights didn't come on. Then I asked to see the title and it had a different person's name on it.
The guy was obviously buying and flipping junk bikes. He didn't speak much English, but he tried to tell me that he and his "neighbor" (I suspect it was another family member) only knew how to work on big bikes. When the lights wouldn't come on, he tried to suggest my battery was bad. It's brand new.
Bottom line.... the guy seemed really sketchy and dishonest, so I walked away.

you made a good choice

And thanks for following up!

Good call. Better luck on the next one.

Great call!
The right one will turn up. Let the Forum know and the advice will be sound.