Final answer:
A Safety Standards Certificate is crucial for proving a used motorcycle meets minimum safety standards and is often legally required to transfer ownership and purchase license plates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The significance of obtaining a Safety Standards Certificate when purchasing a used motorcycle is that it is a document that verifies the motorcycle has been inspected and meets the minimum safety standards. This certificate is legally required in some jurisdictions to transfer the ownership of a vehicle and to purchase license plates for the motorcycle. Without this certification, a buyer cannot legally put the motorcycle on the road, as it serves as proof that the vehicle is roadworthy at the time of the inspection.