So you have a classic car you want to sell and are not sure how to go about it? Here are a few tips to help you along. Selling classic or vintage cars is a slightly different process than selling current models, as there’s a distinct clientele and therefore a smaller, niche market.
Keep it clean!
To make your car as appealing as possible to potential buyers obviously it needs to be well maintained, clean and rust-free. Normally, classic car owners are quite meticulous about caring for their vehicles, unlike some used sellers, since they’re often a prized and coveted possession. It may even be a treasured and valuable family heirloom. Bonus points of course if it’s been kept nice and safe in a garage.
Get it inspected
It’s a good idea to have your vehicle inspected by a mechanic before you put it up for sale and start marketing. If it needs some repairs, have them done and roll the cost into the final price.
Do your research!
Research online to see what others are selling and asking for similar makes and models. If you have maintained the car’s original interiors and have avoided replacing too many parts, this will increase its value.
List on classic car sites
Marketing your car properly is important – there are many specialized sites where you can list your classic cars, such as Hemmings, eBay, Autotrader Classics, and ClassicCars.com. You can also use more general automotive sites such as CarGurus.com, CarsDirect.com, Autotrader.com, Craigslist, and even Facebook Marketplace. Remember car enthusiasts and lovers of classic cars will be searching for the type of cars they like. So make sure all your information is clear, precise and correct.
Take photos
When posting an ad make sure you include good, well-lit photos, preferably in natural light, of the exterior and interior, write a detailed description, and always respond promptly when a potential buyer asks a question.
What’s it worth?
When you’ve researched what your classic car is worth (Kelley Bluebook is a good resource for this) and you’ve looked at similar cars for sale online, make sure to quote a price that’s slightly higher than what’s listed so you have room to negotiate.
Dealers and auctions
You can also ask a dealer to sell your car for you, or use the old school method of placing an ad in print newspapers and magazines, making sure your car is listed under the section for antique and/or classic cars. And if you have a valuable antique car to sell, it may be best to go through a broker or an auction house, to ensure it gets before the proper audience with a specific interest in classic cars. These buyers are probably very willing to pay a good price if it’s the car they really want.
Remember that the price and value of a classic car can fluctuate so keep up to date on trends in this unique and niche car market. If you would rather not sell your car, consider delivering it to one of your local vehicle donation centers!
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