Expert tips for buying a classic car
If a classic car is on your dream list, but you’re worried about finding the right one, getting ripped off or ending up with a rust bucket that bleeds you dry, then we have eight tips that will help ensure you find the perfect car that will give you years of joy.
Buy the best you can afford
It’s our number-one tip in classic car buying for very good reason. It’s almost always cheaper and far less stressful to buy a well-maintained, properly restored car than to take on a “project” in the hope of saving money.
A tired-looking classic may seem like a bargain, but by the time you’ve paid for welding, stripping and repainting, mechanical repairs, sorting electrical niggles and interior trim, you’ll have spent far more than if you’d bought a better example to start with.
If possible, look for a car that’s already on the road and being used regularly. A running, MOT’d car that’s been regularly driven and maintained will almost always be a better bet than one that’s been off the road for years.
Even if you buy the best you can afford, it will still need work. Do expect, and budget for, some additional costs associated with repairs and improvements. It’s possible that you may be using your new classic differently to its previous owner; for example, if they didn’t drive it in the dark, you may discover unknown problems with its lights.
Bring an expert with you
It’s easy to fall in love with a car at first sight, but a second opinion can save you from a very expensive mistake. Always take someone who knows classic cars well (or at least the make and model you’re looking at), ideally a specialist who works on them regularly.
Experienced eyes can spot faults that are invisible to the untrained buyer. Incorrect panel gaps, hidden corrosion, overspray, or signs of previous accident damage can all indicate a poor restoration. Having someone with you that can not only spot where a repair has been done but also assess the quality of the repair work is invaluable. Not all restorations are equal, and it is easy to assume a repair has been done well. A marque specialist will know exactly where to look for weak spots and where problem areas tend to be: the sills on an MGB, the chassis rails on a Triumph, or the rear subframe on a Mini.
Another advantage to having an expert with you is during the test drive. Someone who knows how the classic should feel to drive when it’s running well will be able to detect issues that others may miss. How sharp are the brakes? How heavy is the steering? How should this engine sound when pulling under load? What is that whine or rattle? These are all things that should be second nature to an experienced classic car mechanic.
Even when buying from a dealer, it’s worth having an independent inspection. Dealers can and do miss things – not necessarily deliberately, but simply because they may not know the finer points of every model. An expert familiar with the car will pick up on issues that may become expensive headaches. It is also useful to see if you can find previous customers of a dealer, or independent reviews.
The advantage of buying from a dealer is you’ll likely have a warranty, giving you some come back for unforeseen problems, and for those planning to drive their classic more regularly, exploring options such as a car extended warranty can also provide additional peace of mind against unexpected repair costs.
Bodywork, bodywork, bodywork
Bodywork repairs, welding and paintwork are by far the most expensive job on a classic car. Unless you are buying a luxury marque like Bentley, this type of work will far outstrip the cost of mechanical parts. Paint and panel work are time-consuming, labour-intensive, and unforgiving. Once rust takes hold, it spreads unseen until a full strip-down reveals the true extent.
Body and paintwork cost will also vary depending on the size and complexity of the car, however on any vehicle it is very easy for welding work to grow beyond initial expectations. A proper job—where the car is stripped, repaired, and refinished correctly—will run into five figures, even on smaller cars. Larger saloons or complex body structures can be far more. Fibreglass-bodied cars, such as Lotus and Gilberns, require even more specialist equipment and knowledge to repair.
Therefore, it’s vital to inspect the body thoroughly. Look along the flanks for ripples or uneven reflections, check for bubbling paint at the seams and sills, and take a magnet to test for filler. If possible, get the car on a ramp to check underneath. Otherwise bring some scruffy clothes, a torch and get down on the ground! Always avoid looking at a car out in the rain and go in daylight hours – it’s very easy to miss defects on a poorly-lit, wet car. Rust repair and paintwork will always be more expensive than mechanical work, so buy the best body you can.
For most people, avoiding projects is the best plan, however if doing the work yourself is part of the enjoyment then great – but go into it with open eyes. It’s not uncommon for people to run out of money and joy for a long-term project and sell it on, having never completed it.
Sometimes buying a project car is a way to reduce the initial purchase outlay, and then spread the cost of repairs in a controlled way over time. However, if you do decide you want to purchase a project car to do the restoration yourself, still try to find the least rusty body shell you can – there will still be plenty to keep you busy and spend your money on.
Consider your maintenance budget as well as purchase budget
It’s easy to focus solely on the purchase price, but the ongoing running costs can also vary dramatically between makes and models. A Jaguar, Bentley or Rolls-Royce might look tempting at £15,000, but the parts prices and complexity can make them several times more expensive to maintain than a smaller British sports car. Unfortunately, we have seen people who have delightedly bought their dream luxury car, only to struggle with the ongoing maintenance and repair costs which saps the joy from their classic purchase pretty quickly.
By contrast, makes like MG, Morris, Triumph, or Mini are simple, well-supported, and cheap to keep running.
Tyres, in particular, deserve attention during maintenance. Many classics cover such low mileage that tyres age out long before they wear out. Always check the date codes on a new purchase; anything over 10 years old should be replaced, even if the tread looks fine. Old tyres can crack and fail without warning.
Can you find parts and a garage to fix it?
When thinking about the maintenance of your future classic, it’s also wise to ask yourself: who’s going to fix it when it breaks?
One of the biggest advantages of owning a popular make (such as an MG, Morris, Triumph, Mini or even Alfa Romeo) is the availability of parts and expertise. Entire catalogues of reproduction components exist, and most mechanical spares can be ordered overnight.
With rarer cars, sourcing parts can become an exercise in frustration. Even once-common models from big manufacturers, such as Vauxhall or Ford, can have gaps in supply if few survived or demand has dwindled. Clubs are often the best resource; many have their own spares schemes and offer guidance on trusted suppliers and workshops. This has meant that in some cases, for example the Jowett, what was originally a rare car has now got a well-supported parts supply via the enthusiasts’ car club.
You’ll also need a mechanic or restorer willing to work on older vehicles. Not every modern garage wants to deal with carburettors, points ignition, or drum brakes. Understand that many modern mechanics are trained to use computer diagnostic equipment and fit standard replacement parts to a newer vehicle. This is a very different skillset to someone who is familiar with fault-finding in a classic car that may have had many different degrees of repairs over its 60 odd year lifespan. Or someone who is confident with understanding electrical systems – that may have had many patchwork fixes over the years.
Before you buy, check the support network. Search owners’ clubs, speak to other enthusiasts, and make sure you can get the help you’ll need from a good mechanic that has relevant experience.
Think about what you really want out of your classic car
Classic cars are as much about emotion as engineering. Most buyers are drawn to something they remember from childhood – perhaps a car that family members owned, or the dream poster-car. Nostalgia is powerful, but you’ll enjoy your car far more if it fits your lifestyle and driving habits.
Think, too, about comfort and practicality. Will you be driving solo, or with family? Do you have secure, dry storage? A small roadster might fit in a standard garage easily, but an old Bentley or tall VW camper will not.
You need to enjoy driving your chosen classic, otherwise you won’t use it enough, and it will start to develop problems from not being run. This in turn will impact its reliability when you do decide to take it out, reducing your enjoyment further and lessening the likelihood of you taking it out… and so problems start to spiral. Matching the car to your intended use will ensure you actually drive and enjoy it rather than leaving it sitting in the garage.
Think twice about a car without an MOT
Even though cars over 40 years old are exempt from the annual MOT, a current certificate is still something we highly recommend. It means a qualified tester has recently checked the brakes, suspension, steering, and lights, and that the car has at least met minimum safety standards. Be very wary of a lack of MOT history in a car you are thinking of buying.
A classic that hasn’t been MOT’d for years could be hiding serious issues. Rust, seized brakes, perished tyres and electrical faults are all common on cars that have spent long periods off the road. The lack of MOT requirement has led to some owners thinking that they don’t need them, which has divided the pool of classic cars into cars with annual MOTs and many which have only had home checks or no maintenance whatsoever. Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in cars coming into the workshop with dangerous faults.
Legally, there is no reason someone cannot drive a 60+ year-old barn find straight onto the road. However, when you drive a classic car without an MOT, you are still expected to have taken personal responsibility for its roadworthiness and safety. An MOT won’t guarantee perfection – it is based on minimum rather than ideal safety standards – but it’s a useful snapshot of a car’s condition and a sign of responsible ownership.
If the seller hasn’t had one done, ask them to. A fresh MOT might reveal problems that can be addressed before you buy, or at least give you a clearer picture of what you’re taking on. Even experienced owners benefit from having another set of eyes look over their car every so often, and from another point of view up on a lift. At Cambrian Classics we check each other’s personal classic cars and take them for regular independent MOTs.
Find the right classic car
Classic car ownership is one of the most rewarding hobbies around. These cars connect us to history, craftsmanship, and the simple joy of driving. But they also demand respect — and a little common sense. Do your homework. Talk to specialists. Join owners’ clubs. Above all, buy with your head as well as your heart. The right classic car will give you years of pleasure and pride.
Author: Tim Winton is the founder of Cambrian Classics Ltd, a family-run business that specialises in classic car repair and servicing and is located by the beautiful Ceredigion coast. Cambrian Classics offers services that range from restoration and repair work to regular servicing and maintenance.
Cambrian Classics is a recommended garage for both the MG Owner’s Club and Just Kampers, and regularly works on pre-1980’s classic cars, including pre-war vintage vehicles. Cambrian Classics specialises in a variety of classic marques including MG, Austin-Healey, Rolls Royce and Bentley, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes, BMW, Triumph, Volkswagen, Morris, Land Rover, Mini, Rover.
