In a fragmented and often opaque pre-owned two-wheeler market, DriveX has emerged as a trailblazer by putting trust, transparency, and technology at the heart of its operations. Founded on the belief that every ride tells a story, the company is transforming how India views used motorcycles and scooters — not just as machines, but as enablers of mobility, independence, and aspiration.
DriveX isn’t simply in the business of selling refurbished two-wheelers. It is building an ecosystem where quality assurance, fair pricing, and emotional confidence converge to create a customer experience that’s both seamless and deeply human. From its rigorous 150+ point certification process to its intelligent pricing engine and growing financing accessibility in Tier II and III markets, DriveX is focused on building mobility solutions for Bharat, not just urban India.
In a recent interview, Rashmi Verma interacted with Arun Aggarwal, Business Head at DriveX, and discussed the brand’s core mission of “redefining trust” in the used two-wheeler segment. From understanding the emotional journeys of buyers and sellers to tackling challenges like paperwork, pricing opacity, and financing gaps, Arun shared the detailed thinking behind DriveX’s unique operating model. The conversation also highlighted DriveX’s ongoing investments in AI-driven tech, regional expansion, and consumer education, ensuring the company stays ahead as a dependable partner for millions seeking affordable and reliable personal mobility across India.
1. DriveX aims to redefine trust in the pre-owned two-wheeler segment. Could you elaborate on what this mission means in practice and how it shapes your business philosophy?
Trust, honestly, is everything in this business. And I don’t just mean the kind of trust that’s written on a brochure or a billboard. I’m talking about the kind you earn, step by step, by doing the hard things right and being transparent even when it’s not convenient.
At DriveX, we’ve built the company around the idea that if someone is buying a used two-wheeler, they shouldn’t have to guess what they’re getting into. So for us, redefining trust means going far beyond just selling a vehicle. It starts with how we source it, the way we refurbish it at our DriveX Technical Centre, and how we make sure every detail, service history, condition, pricing, is clearly explained to the buyer.
It also means we don’t avoid the tough conversations. Issues like meter tampering or complicated paperwork are things the industry often sweeps under the rug. We talk about them upfront, because trust grows when you’re honest about what needs fixing. So in a way, trust is not just our mission, it’s our operating system. It influences how we hire, how we train, how we build tech, and how we show up every single day.
2. Your story-first approach where every ride begins with confidence is quite unique. How do you ensure this emotional and psychological reassurance for both buyers and sellers?
You know, we’ve always believed that every two-wheeler has a story, and so does every person who rides it. Whether someone is buying their first bike to get to college or selling an old one to upgrade, it’s not just about the machine. It’s about freedom, independence, memories, and plans for what’s next.
That’s why we’ve designed DriveX to make sure people feel reassured, not just technically but emotionally too. When a buyer comes to us, we don’t want them to feel like they’re gambling on a used vehicle. They get a detailed quality report, access to the full refurbishment record, clear pricing, and even warranty options. We want them to feel like, “Yes, this is a good decision.”
And on the seller side, we make the process easy, fair, and transparent. We give them confidence that their bike is being handled with care, that they’re getting a reasonable price, and that their paperwork is being taken care of properly.
At the end of the day, people want to feel safe and respected. And that’s what we try to offer, confidence that comes from clarity, care, and consistency.
3. When it comes to understanding customers, what are the key personas you’ve identified on both the buyer and seller sides? How do these insights influence your operations or platform design?
At DriveX, understanding our customers deeply has shaped how we build, communicate, and deliver value. On the buyer side, we typically see three key personas.
There are first-time buyer, urban and college commuters, often young and new to vehicle ownership. They’re looking for something affordable and reliable, but more importantly, they want to feel confident they’re making a safe decision. We design the experience around clarity, from detailed inspection reports to transparent pricing and easy financing.
Next is the upgrader, someone who’s had a vehicle before and now wants a better ride. They value quality, a smooth transition, and minimal effort. We’ve made it easy for them to browse, compare, finance, and take delivery, all in one flow.
Then there’s the practical commuter, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. For them, trust and long-term support matter most. They care less about features and more about dependability and honest service. Our tech, support, and after-sales approach are built to serve that mindset.
On the seller side, we work with two main profiles.
The individual seller is someone who wants to sell a bike without the usual stress which is ideal asset for them or want to upgrade. They don’t want to deal with haggling, multiple phone calls, or paperwork confusion. With DriveX, we give them a simple process that includes doorstep evaluation, fair pricing, and instant payment.
The second is the institutional seller, fleet operators, rental platforms, or financiers with repossessed inventory. They need scale, speed, and reliable documentation. We support them with dedicated teams, structured processes, and tools built for volume.
These personas guide how we design our journeys, from user interface to customer support. Because the better we understand who we’re serving, the better we can deliver an experience that feels easy, fair, and genuinely helpful.
4. DriveX’s rigorous certification process is frequently highlighted. Could you walk us through the key stages of this certification and how it ensures vehicle reliability and safety?
Absolutely. The certification process is honestly one of the most important things we do. A lot of people assume refurbishment just means a surface-level clean-up, maybe fixing a dent or replacing a headlight. But at DriveX, it’s way more comprehensive.
The process starts with sourcing. We’re extremely selective, even before a vehicle enters our system, we run detailed checks on its age, mileage, accident history, and ownership records. If it clears that, it goes to our DriveX Technical Centre where the real work begins.
Each two-wheeler is put through a 150-plus point inspection. We’re checking everything from the engine to the brakes, suspension, tires, electricals, body panels, you name it. Based on what we find, parts are either refurbished or replaced completely. We’re not looking for shortcuts, we’re aiming for reliability.
Once that’s done, the bike is internally graded for quality, performance, and appearance. Only after it meets our internal standards do we make it available to customers. And we don’t just say it’s certified, we show every customer the DriveX Quality Report so they can see exactly what was done. That’s what builds real confidence.
5. Transparent pricing is a major pain point in the used two-wheeler market. How does DriveX maintain price clarity and fairness in a space often known for opacity?
Yeah, pricing can get really murky in this space. You walk into a dealer and hear one number, then go online and see a totally different figure. And in most cases, you have no idea what’s going into that number.
At DriveX, we knew we had to take a different route. So we built a data-driven pricing system that’s actually grounded in reality. It takes into account over 30 different factors things like brand reputation, kilometres run, maintenance history, regional trends, market demand, even fuel type. So when a customer sees a price, it’s not just a guess. It’s based on actual insights.
We also re-price vehicles after refurbishment. Because once a vehicle has gone through our OEM-grade process and had parts repaired or replaced, it’s not the same vehicle anymore, it’s better. And the price reflects that real transformation, not just its past.
We believe customers deserve to know exactly what they’re paying for and why. That’s how we build pricing that feels fair, not fuzzy.
6. Your end-to-end convenience model from inspection to delivery is a game changer. How seamless is this journey for a customer looking to buy or sell on DriveX, especially outside metro cities?
Our goal has always been to make the entire process, from the moment you think of buying or selling to the moment the vehicle is in your hands, as easy and stress-free as possible.
So whether someone’s in a big metro or a smaller town, we try to ensure they experience the same smooth journey. Buyers can browse verified vehicles online, book a test ride, apply for financing, and get everything from inspection reports to insurance, all handled in one place. Sellers can list their bike, get it inspected, and complete the paperwork without running around.
In areas outside the major cities, we’ve set up regional hubs so that we don’t offer compromised quality. We’ve also invested in legal-tech systems that manage all the state-specific RTO rules, transfers, taxes, and pollution certificates so customers don’t have to chase any paperwork.
It’s about giving people back their time and peace of mind. And that’s true whether they’re in Bengaluru or a Tier 3 town.
7. Financing often acts as a barrier for many used two-wheeler buyers. What financing options does DriveX offer, and how accessible are they for lower-income or rural customers?
You’re absolutely right, financing has always been one of the biggest hurdles in this space. And for a long time, used vehicles were seen as too risky by most lenders, especially for customers in smaller towns or with informal incomes.
We built DriveX Finance to solve that. It’s not just an add-on, we designed it from the ground up to work seamlessly with our sales process. When someone wants to buy a vehicle, they can apply for a loan right then and there, get approved quickly, and choose an EMI plan that works for them through our exclusive partnerships with banks and financial institution.
And we didn’t stop there. We worked closely with NBFCs to come up with more flexible eligibility criteria. We look at a broader set of data, not just credit scores, which helps more people, especially those from rural areas or informal sectors get access to fair financing.
The result is a system where people who’ve never had access to easy loans can now buy a reliable vehicle without jumping through hoops. That’s mobility that includes everyone.
8. You’ve taken a commendable step by investing in consumer education. Can you share some of the initiatives you’ve rolled out to help buyers and sellers make smarter decisions?
Education has been a huge priority for us, especially because the used vehicle space can be overwhelming for a lot of people. There’s often a knowledge gap, many buyers don’t know what to check for, and sellers aren’t always sure how to value their bike or navigate the documentation.
So we’ve built tools right into the customer experience. Every vehicle on our site has a DriveX Quality Report that explains, in simple language, what was checked and what was fixed. We also share helpful content like what to look for when buying used, how to avoid common pitfalls, or how to understand service history.
On the seller side, we’re making the DriveX journey really intuitive. We’re working on guides, videos, and support that explain every step, from uploading details to understanding pricing benchmarks and paperwork.
And beyond digital tools, we hold events, where our team just talks to people, no sales pitch, just real help. Because we’ve seen time and again that when people feel informed, they feel confident.
9. With a presence in Tier 1, 2, and even Tier 3 cities, what strategies have worked best for expanding your physical footprint and maintaining quality assurance across regions?
Expanding across different city tiers is exciting, but it definitely comes with its own set of challenges. The key has been to grow thoughtfully, not just quickly.
We start by setting up regional hubs that mirror our core refurbishment and quality processes. So instead of trying to stretch one central team too far, we have built our system at local levels through regional hubs with trained technicians and given them the tools to deliver the same DriveX standard.
We also rely heavily on tech to keep everything consistent. Every vehicle goes through the same inspection flow, the same documentation checks, and is plugged into our central system, so whether a bike is being sold in a metro or a small town, the customer experience remains the same.
And finally, we build strong local partnerships. We work with RTO-approved agents, local transporters, and mechanics who understand the ground realities of that specific region. That combination of tech, training, and local intelligence has really helped us scale without sacrificing quality.
10. Looking ahead, what are DriveX’s key priorities for the next 12–18 months in terms of technology, reach, and customer experience enhancement?
We’ve got a lot planned for the next year and a half, and it’s all centered around one goal, making the experience even more seamless, more transparent, and more accessible for everyone.
On the technology front, we’re deepening our work with AI. We’re building smarter pricing tools, improving our refurbishment planning systems, and even looking into hyperlocal inventory suggestions so customers get the right vehicles faster.
From a reach perspective, we’re planning to expand into multiple cities with our learning across. And with DriveX Direct planned to be launched soon, we’re opening up the platform to individual sellers, so people can list their own bikes and still benefit from DriveX’s quality checks and support.
And when it comes to customer experience, we’re focusing a lot on the human side, better support, more language options, smoother digital journeys. We want every customer, whether they’re tech-savvy or not, to feel completely in control and confident.
For us, it’s not about just selling more vehicles. It’s about building something that lasts, and earns trust, ride by ride.
