Buying a classic car: what to check before you fall in love

Decide what kind of classic you want

• A show car that is kept perfect, a driver you will use on weekends, or a project you will restore.
• Your budget, including the purchase, repairs, insurance, storage and ongoing maintenance.
• How much work you can do yourself, and how much you will pay for.

Rust is the main enemy

Rust is the most common reason a classic is not worth its price. Check the floors, trunk, rocker panels, wheel arches, the bottoms of doors and fenders and the frame. Take a flashlight and a small magnet; body filler hides rust and does not attract a magnet.

Originality and documentation

• Ask whether the engine and transmission are original to the car, and how to tell.
• Look for service records, restoration receipts and photos of any work.
• Check that the VIN on the car matches the title and any plates and tags.
• Ask what has been changed from original, and why.

Quality of restoration or repair

A shiny paint job can hide poor work. Look at panel gaps, paint under the hood and in the trunk, the quality of the interior and whether the details match the model. Ask who did the work, and whether you can speak to them.

Parts and support

Before you buy, find out how easy it is to get parts for that car, and whether there is an owners' club or a community that knows it. A car that is rare and hard to fix can be a bigger project than it looks.

Insurance, storage and use

• Ask insurers about classic coverage and agreed value policies, which pay a set amount if the car is lost.
• Plan where you will keep it, dry and secure.
• Check any limits on use that come with the policy.

Check the title and history

Make sure the title is clean and in the seller's name, and the car's history is as described. See how to read a vehicle history report and salvage, rebuilt and flood titles.

Common questions