When you start out shopping for a classic car, the tendency is to focus on the image and forget the service and accident reports. As a result, you may end up paying more for a car than it is actually worth. Even though most shoppers report a majority of honest sellers on the classic car market, you should get answers from sellers to cover all the bases. Here are the questions every classic car buyer should ask.
Is the seller the original owner? Depending on the age of the car in question, you might find yourself lucky enough to purchase a classic from its original owner. If so, you'll have access to the majority of paperwork and be able to track the life of the car through a paper trail. When a car changes hands several times, you'll find yourself unable to answer many questions.
Can a seller produce the entire service history of the car? Whether or not the vehicle was owned by a single person, the paperwork may have changed hands and still be available for review. By getting service reports from every year, you can check and make sure the miles match what the speedometer reads. Without this information, you'll be left wondering.
Was the car salvaged? Salvaged cars should not have negative connotations if you love the appearance and operation of a vehicle. However, the fact a classic car is salvaged means it decreases in value - almost by half - when compared to an original. Knowing the ballpark value of cars that interest you can help a lot when negotiating for salvaged cars. You'll be able to tell whether a fair price is being quoted. Look into insurance for the classic car before you buy too.
What is the vehicle accident history? Whether you can see it or not, a vehicle's accident history is essential when purchasing a classic car. Sometimes, the naked eye will not be able to detect any evidence of body work. That is a good sign, but you should know exactly what is different from the original.
What is the motivation for selling? If the owner has inherited the car or plans to move out of the country, you are looking at a truly motivated seller. Keep that in mind when you begin negotiations. The opposite holds for professional car dealers, who typically have more time to spend on a sale.
Run through this checklist and get the answers from a seller when shopping for a classic car. With the right approach, you'll make a sound investment.
Is the seller the original owner? Depending on the age of the car in question, you might find yourself lucky enough to purchase a classic from its original owner. If so, you'll have access to the majority of paperwork and be able to track the life of the car through a paper trail. When a car changes hands several times, you'll find yourself unable to answer many questions.
Can a seller produce the entire service history of the car? Whether or not the vehicle was owned by a single person, the paperwork may have changed hands and still be available for review. By getting service reports from every year, you can check and make sure the miles match what the speedometer reads. Without this information, you'll be left wondering.
Was the car salvaged? Salvaged cars should not have negative connotations if you love the appearance and operation of a vehicle. However, the fact a classic car is salvaged means it decreases in value - almost by half - when compared to an original. Knowing the ballpark value of cars that interest you can help a lot when negotiating for salvaged cars. You'll be able to tell whether a fair price is being quoted. Look into insurance for the classic car before you buy too.
What is the vehicle accident history? Whether you can see it or not, a vehicle's accident history is essential when purchasing a classic car. Sometimes, the naked eye will not be able to detect any evidence of body work. That is a good sign, but you should know exactly what is different from the original.
What is the motivation for selling? If the owner has inherited the car or plans to move out of the country, you are looking at a truly motivated seller. Keep that in mind when you begin negotiations. The opposite holds for professional car dealers, who typically have more time to spend on a sale.
Run through this checklist and get the answers from a seller when shopping for a classic car. With the right approach, you'll make a sound investment.
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