How to sell a classic car?

The DVLA classifies a vehicle as a 'classic' or a 'historic' if it’s over 40 years old and has not undergone substantial changes in the last 30 years. However, in the world of classic cars collectors and enthusiasts, the definition is much more flexible.
Vehicles that are at least few decades old – usually 20-30 years, and have unique characteristics such rarity, special modifications, historic significance or cultural relevance are considered a classic car by the enthusiasts. Recently, there’s been a surge of ‘modern classic’ cars. These cars are typically 15-20 years old, and they blend modern technology with the unique features and appeal of a classic car.

If you’re looking to sell your beloved classic car, we’ve detailed how to prepare your car for sale and tips on crafting the perfect advert for your classic car:

First, take a good look at the car. Check for any minor scratches, dents, or stone chips that need repairing, as well as any mechanical issues. If the repairs are quite expensive, then you should weigh up whether the cost is worth it or not. Make sure you also top up fluids, including oil, coolant, and screenwash.

Start by giving your car a thorough clean, inside and out. Vacuum the carpets, mats, and seats, and wipe all surfaces. If there’s an odour in the car, air it out and use an odour eliminator. Make sure you’ve removed all your personal items.
For the exterior, wash your car’s body and wheels. Classic car buyers often look closely at details, so a tidy, cared-for appearance could set your car apart from similar models.

Quality photographs can really help the sale. So once the car is cleaned up and looking its best, go to a quiet car park or somewhere with a plain background and methodically shoot the car from every angle, including both sides, front on, rear on, each wheel and detailed areas like the sills, wheel arches, engine bay and the interiors.
You may also want to take your car to a friendly garage and share pictures of the underside, sills, wheel arches and other common rust spots as evidence of the condition of your car. This will help attract buyers if it’s in particularly good condition for its age. Check out our step-by-step guide on how to take photos of your car

Your classic car’s value relies heavily on their history, so having all the documentation is crucial for a successful sale.
Information about previous ownership, and receipts for parts, maintenance, restoration and such are all very valuable and can help increase the market value and build trust with the buyer. You should also gather the car’s essential documents required for the sale such as the V5C logbook, MOT certificates (if applicable), a bill of sale and a proof of identity such as your driving licence. Related: Documents required to sell a used car

Knowing your classic car’s value is key before you sell it. Take your time to research how your classic car compares on condition, history and suchlike with others in the market - this will help you set a price and judge how yours compares.
You can also get a free valuation on Autotrader that reflects the current classic car market. Our valuation tool uses real-time, data-driven insights to give you a realistic idea of what buyers are willing to pay. Once you know exactly how much your car is worth, you can set the price right so that you’re not losing out.

Put yourself in the mind of the buyer and the kind of things they’ll be looking for when writing the advert description.
Include the basic details such as the year of registration and the number of previous owners. Also mention if the car’s an original, restored or a barn find, and what parts of the car have been refurbished (if applicable). If the car has been imported, it’ll usually be flagged automatically, but you should also mention it in the advert. If you bought the car at an auction, mention the car’s grading. Research your classic car’s model and if yours is a particularly rare variant or has some particularly interesting features, make sure you flag these in the advert. Some classic cars appreciate in value over the years. If your classic car’s value has gone up, then you should let that be known to the potential buyers.

Once your car advert is live, share it on social media. Find owners’ forums or Facebook groups where people interested in that model of the car gather and can help spread the word - if it’s a good one people will share the advert and you’ll get it in front of more buyers.

There are three ways of selling your car on Autotrader. While selling privately is the most popular way, you can also part exchange your car or sell it to a dealer. Here we discuss all three ways of selling a car:

You can create an advert and sell your car privately. This way of selling puts you in the driver’s seat - you control how the advert looks and how much you sell your classic car for. You’d also be responsible for meeting the potential buyers and negotiating a price that you’re happy with. By selling privately, you can often achieve a higher price for your classic car.
If you want to maximise the value you get for your car and you don’t mind handling the whole process, then selling privately may be the way for you.

If you want to sell your car quickly and conveniently, you can sell your car directly to a dealer. On Autotrader, you can sell your car to one of our 5,000 trusted dealers for free. It’s simple and fast – we’ll list your classic car in our daily auction. We’ll send you the highest bid for your car within 48 hours which you can either accept or decline to keep getting more offers. Once you’re happy with an offer, you can get your classic car collected from home for free.

If you’re looking to buy another car, you can trade your classic in when buying another car. Part-exchange allows you to deduct the value of your classic car from your next purchase so that you don’t have to worry about selling your car to someone else. This way, you don’t have to worry about selling your car at all.
Ready to sell your classic car? Head to our selling hub to start your sell your journey or to read more advice on how to sell your car.