Your Best Bet: Check The Hagerty Valuation Guide
As a member of the Hagerty Drivers Club, youâll have full access to our valuation tools, including pricing , our own VIN Decoder and even a watchlist to keep track of the cars of your dreams.
Our online valuation guide gives you an overview of a variety of classic vehicles, plus historical pricing for many models of vintage or classic cars and even info on recent sales. You can find some pretty obscure, rarely-collected cars in here – which means that if I want to relive my high-school days driving in a mid-80âs Cadillac Cimarron, I wonât overpay for the pleasure.
Got A Classic Car For Sale
Are classic car values rising or are classic cars losing value? Is my 37 year old car a classic? Classical car prices remained high in 2022, averaging 20% increase in sales and higher prices paid. A shortage in the availability of vintage cars and the growth in HNW individuals helped fuel this market as a whole. A good way of increasing investment income is by collecting classic cars. Most classic car values gain as they become older and rarer.
Experienced valuation experts like NADA and Hagerty provide classic car valuation tools and services. Selecting by Year, Make, Model gets a ballpark estimate. But one size doesnt fit all. Todays value is determined analyzing supply and demand, using historical sale prices and current asking prices on available inventory. Keep in mind 70% of classic / antique cars are sold through private party sales, 20% through auctions and 10% through dealerships. No single valuation source can precisely determine a classic cars value. Comparing results from multiple valuation sources will help determine your value questions.
Value My Car Top Tips
Brand
Some brands are better at holding their value than others and a few simple checks to see how much a brand new equivalent would cost, will help you understand how much value a car will lose over time
Condition
The better condition your car, the better your odds of retaining its value when you sell. Regular servicing and maintenance is the key to this
Presentation
Whilst cleaning can really help to maximise the value of a car, great pictures are also very important. Car photos should be in a well-lit, tidy area. Pictures should be taken from a wide variety of angles to maximise the appeal of the vehicle. Make sure you include both interior and exterior shots
Mileage
Generally, cars with a lower mileage achieve a better sale value than those with high mileage, due to less wear and tear on the vehicle over time
Release Date
The registration date of the vehicle gives a true indication of the age of the car, and its value. New cars are released twice a year, so its worth checking the month of registration to establish the exact age of the vehicle
Colour
Certain car colours can retain their value better than others. However, in terms of the paintwork, the finish is probably the most important factor. Popular car colours can help you retain value. According to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, white was the most popular car colour in 2014.
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Q: What Other Information Do You Get
A:We list the original price of the car when new and the secondhand price youd expect to pay for it today at a franchised dealer, an independent dealer and a private seller. We also indicate what to pay if the car is in good or bad condition, and offer a part-exchange value for those buyers simply wishing to trade their existing vehicle in at a dealership. Its all in our car valuation online tool.
Q: Whats My Car Worth How Accurate Is Your Valuation
A:The standard free valuation is based on average mileage and standard equipment for that model. The free valuations are available for most cars made from 2001/51 plate onwards based on average mileage and standard specification. These can be used as a guide to buy, sell or trade-in. Valuations are for UK spec cars only sorry we dont value any imports.
However, if you want the exact spec of the car you want reflected in the valuation , you can get that from one of our premium paid-for valuations.
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Antique Car Blue Book
In addition to receiving an extensive education in art, design, and architectural history, Lisa has a certificate in Fine Art and Antiques Appraisal Studies.
Learn about our Editorial Policy.
If you’re planning to buy or sell an antique automobile, it’s essential that you know how much the vehicle is worth. Antique car blue book values can help you determine what to ask or offer for a car as well as options and colors that were available and can add further value. Use price guides to get an idea of a car’s value.
How Do I Figure Out True Classic Car Values Before Buying Or Selling
If youâre not worried about dollars and cents, the values of classic car ownership are simple: smiles per mile, happiness received over years of driving, ratios of heads turned versus miles driven.
Other classic car values are more objective. If youâre looking to buy or sell, you need to know: What is your classic car actually worth?
We all know that haggling over the real price of a car can be part of the fun of purchasing , whether itâs a brand-new ride or a Brass Era classic. That said, with so many resources available to classic car owners, nailing down the actual value of a vintage car isnât as variable as it used to be.
Hereâs how to figure out your classic car values based on a few different factors:
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Collector Car Market Review
The Collector Car Market Review tracks prices and values of classic cars. They rely on sales reports, government data, their own database, auctions, and inventory. When using the Collector Car Market Review tool, you start with the make, then the year and then the model. Understanding the Collector Car Market Review Condition rating system is key to using their online classic car pricing tool. They, like Hagerty have an easy to understand numbered condition system.
Understanding the Market For Classic and Exotic Car Investments
American Collectors Offers Care For Your Classic Car
Hit the open road, with a C.A.R.E. plan for your collector car. American Collectors Insurance offers a variety of towing, labor, and expense reimbursement options for collector vehicles, such as classic cars, exotic cars, imports, hot rods, collector motorcycles, antique and classic vehicles.
Our C.A.R.E. plans add extensive coverage to your classic car insurance policy for incidental expenses such as roadside assistance, emergency towing, emergency lockout, lost key returns and much more.
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Calculating The Value Of A Classic Car
The book values from your research provides a starting point for the value of an antique car or any other collector car but when you move to the next step of professional car appraisals, the value may increase or decrease slightly. Classic car appraisers also consider a few other factors.
How does restoration affect classic car value? If the car has been restored to factory condition, this is usually a good indicator that your classic car value will match the book value fairly closely, as book value is based upon expected condition. If the restoration was done by a talented professional, such as those at The Vault, and the car has been restored to mint condition then you will most likely see an increase in the value.
What decreases the value of a classic car? If your classic car was modified to your unique preferences and these alterations stray from the original specs, then this will lower the value of your classic car. Youll see a higher value if your car is fully restored, versus partially restored. If there is still more restoration to be done, youll see a lower value, as the dealer will have to factor in the cost of completing the restoration.
Points = Restorable Condition
A classic car that achieves 40 points or restorable condition would require much more work than a car in a good or drivable condition. However, this score would also indicate that your classic car would not require too many parts, as vehicles of this rating usually need work on the engine, interior or chassis. As the car needs some heavier work than the above categories you would expect this to reflect in the value.
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Where Can I Find Classic Car Values
The best place to find your classic car value is by reaching out to an appraiser. After youve done that, if youre still ready to sell your car, think about contacting Alex Manos for further assistance. The Alex Manos team has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to classic cars from the United States and Europe. When it comes to buying rare and unique cars, theyre one of the most trusted names in the industry.
Alex Manos will be happy to offer you top dollar for your classic car. The best part about selling your automobile to them is that you dont have to worry about spending any money on fixing your old car up. They pay handsomely for all classic makes and models, regardless of the cars working condition. They will also arrange to have your car shipped to their Los Angeles showroom from anywhere in the United States, including Alaska. If youd like to learn more about how you can free up some garage space while also turning an old car into cash, give the Alex Manos team a call. One of their friendly associates will help you get the ball rolling.
How Rac Cars Work Out The Value Of Vehicles
Working out the value of your car has never been easier. In fact, all we need are a couple of details and were ready to go. In just 3 simple steps, youll be able to find out the value of your car.
- Step 1: Enter details
- Step 2: Confirm vehicle
- Step 3: Get free car valuation
Thanks to our data resources, we look at various prices of similar cars to ensure that were providing you with up-to-date and accurate figures. We work tirelessly to ensure that the car valuation you’re shown is the very latest guide price.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Collector Auto Insurance
Yes. You may not qualify for collector car insurance if youve had multiple accidents or driving violations on your driving record.
Depending on the insurer, claims or excess driving violations may also affect your collector car insurance premiums.
Classic cars generally refer to vehicles based on the age of the vehicle. Collector cars is a broader category definition . In addition, the broader collector vehicle categories include good condition vehicles such as modern classics, limited production vehicles, exotic vehicles, historical vehicles, as well as resto-mods, hot rods, rat rods, street rods and other modified vehicles.
Classic car insurance generally includes agreed value or stated value coverage. Collector auto coverage also includes other policy coverage enhancements or has optional coverages available to protect unique risk exposures for collector vehicles. Examples of these coverages might include flat bed towing, VIN theft/fraud coverage, discounted salvage buyback, spare parts and automotive tools coverage, disaster relocation coverage, etc.
Tips For Increasing Your Classic Car’s Value
Classic car value is a very delicate subject. If you are the owner of a car that is in less than mint condition, it is very possible to improve its value, however you should be very careful. While proper restoration is a very difficult and time consuming process, decreasing the value of a classic car is very easy and is often done without the owner even realizing it.
While customization can make a car more suited to your tastes, it can be devastating to the value of a classic car. For maximum value, always try and keep your car as close to original specifications as possible, using as many original parts as possible.
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Hagerty Classic Car Valuation Tool
The Hagerty classic car valuation tool is generally the first tool people use. Hagerty is a provider of classic car insurance. In 2012 they partnered with Hemmings to launch the online classic car valuation tool. The Hagerty online tool allows you to search for cars, trucks, and motorcycles by year, make, model or VIN. The Hagerty condition rating system is key to understanding the Hagerty classic car values. Hagerty values get updated 3 times per year in Jan., May, and Sept..
Wait What Counts As A ‘classic Car’
Are all old cars considered classic? Well, kind of. We can get a lot of answers from bespoke vintage car insurance brokers. The majority of these brokers classify vehicles as:
- Vintage For those manufactured between 1919 and 1930.
- Antique For those manufactured before 1975.
- Classic For those manufactured before 1990.
However, most people probably dont want your 1989 Nissan Micra sorry! To be considered a real classic car, a motor usually has to have:
- Special features. Things like an eye-catching design or a unique engine sound.
- Cultural or historical relevance. Tapping into the past helps give people nostalgia.
- Quality at the time of manufacture. Its no surprise that the majority of vintage cars for sale were considered expensive.
- Rarity. Limited cars tend to have better value and are considered more classic.
Most popular classic cars you see will likely have some relevance from a film or historical event, be at the top-end of quality for its time or possess a unique feature.
Earlier, we did say that most people dont want that old Nissan Micra, but it depends. Some buyers have special memories associated with cars like that, and sometimes, theyre willing to pay good money to relive them.
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Why Should You Know Your Classic Car’s Value
Knowing the value of your classic car is critical when buying, selling, or insuring your car. For example, it can help you buy the car of your dreams for an appropriate price, sell your classic car for what it’s worth, and properly insure it in case an expensive accident happens.
When it comes to insuring your classic car, knowing its value can help you get the right level of coverage. That’s because a classic car insurance policy typically insures your vehicle for its true value, whereas a standard auto policy may only cover the actual cash value of a car . So if you know your vehicle’s value before buying a classic car policy, you can get an accurate quote and insure it for what it’s truly worth.
How Accurate Is The Classic Car Book Value
The classic car book value is a terrific way to get a general price for a specific vehicle. The price will often be surprisingly accurate. However, there are many factors that can affect the price of a vehicle which the guide does not take into account.
Modifications Any individual is free to make safe modifications to their vehicle as they see fit. These may be carried out for a number of reasons but ultimately, it means that a classic car will not be in the expected condition that the book guide is based on. This means that a modified exhaust pipe or non-original engine will shave money from the stated guide price.
Dealers Each specialist dealer will be different. The guide will provide a solid idea of what the car is worth but haggling with a dealer can directly influence the value placed on the car and the price you pay. Some will be very stubborn while others will be happy to meet you half way. The variations in human interaction can be an area that the guide cannot help you with and some dealers will inevitably be more desperate to sell than others.
Age and Condition Two cars are rarely exactly the same. While one classic vehicle may have been lovingly restored to factory condition, another will be the victim of years of neglect and the overall sales value of such a vehicle will be adjusted accordingly. Accuracy in finding prices based on book values should only be relied upon in the event of a classic car being in exceptionally good condition.
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Sell Your Classic Car
If your are looking for a fast, efficient, easy way to sell your classic car then UK Classic Car Buyer should be your choice of companies to use! We are a company that specializes in buying and selling classic vehicles. We have years of experience dealing with old classic cars and have a large collection of vehicles. We are interested in a wide variety of classics from barn finds to unfinished projects to unusual vehicles!
What Is My Classic Car Worth
If youre a classic car collector or a car aficionado, you know how important it is to be able to ascertain car values for older vehicles. Knowing the value of a classic car can help you determine collector car insurance cost, figure out the best classic cars to invest in, and narrow down a selling price when youre ready to sell your collector car.
If youre looking to determine the value of a classic car or any specialty car, whether you already own or are looking to purchase, youve come to the right place! The Vault has been in the collector car business for 30+ years and our experts know exactly what to look for in order to figure out the current . We have a few tips to determine the value of a collector car so that you have a starting point in finding out what your classic car is worth.
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