How To Sell An Antique Car

While selling an average car might be easy through a quick listing on Craigslist or eBay, selling an antique car requires a unique approach and, most importantly, one that has an audience that understands antique cars. Additionally, selling an antique car isn't about getting the best price or the fastest deal. It's about finding the right buyer who will continue to preserve the car's legacy because, let's face it, antique cars are slowly fading from history. In this article, we'll explore the best method of selling an antique car, exploring the best online selling avenues and auctions, among other ways, that cater to the antique car market. So forget that cookie-cutter plan you might have drafted, as we'll also give you some tips to implement before selling and during the sale process. And if you want someone to handle the sale professionally, we've got you covered. But first, let's take a peek at things to consider when selling an antique car.

Things To Consider When Selling An Antique Car

The sale process requires careful consideration when selling an antique car, and as the seller, there are factors that you should consider. Here, we present some tips and tricks that might expedite the sale of an antique car and help you secure a better offer than you intended.

Car's age

When it comes to antique cars, age is not just a number. It's one of the factors that will determine how and where you will sell it. This comes into play especially when selling online since several have model year restrictions not accommodating cars older than a particular year. The same thing applies when selling an antique car at an auction.

Condition

Rarely are antique cars in the absolute best condition; if they are, something is bound to break sooner or later. It's this quality that makes them brittle to handle, and if you're selling it at an auction or displaying it at a car show, transportation might be an issue. Yet, it's not only for transportation purposes that you should consider the condition of an antique car before selling. If the car has current or potential problems, you'll need to make it clear in the listing. Buyers will be more inclined to inquire about or buy the car when they sense the openness. 

Market Value

A similarity between selling antique and regular cars is that you must do market research before putting the car up for sale. This helps you come up with a price that is right for the car, preventing you from underselling, which will scare buyers away, or underselling, which will lead to regrets once the car is off your hands. To come up with the perfect price for an antique car, check auction results and current listings with makes and models that match yours.

Buyers the car appeals to

When doing your research to determine the car's value, also check sale histories, which should give you an idea of how many antique cars like yours have been sold in recent years and how much they've been selling for over the years. A decline in sales could indicate that buyers are not after the car anymore, which will be accompanied by low market prices. On the other hand, high sale frequencies and increasing prices indicate that you have a collectible on your hands, and collectors will be the first people to make offers and inquiries.

Have Paperwork In Order

An appealing appearance and a purring engine are only half the story potential buyers need to hear when buying an antique car. The other half is in the paperwork. Receipts, ownership records, restoration photos, and, most importantly titles, paint a picture of the car's journey that any antique car buyer would be fascinated with. Additionally, buyers will want to get it off your hands if the paperwork is authentic and demonstrates your transparency and care for the car.

Best Ways To Sell An Antique Car

When selling an antique car, options are limited due to the nature of the car involved, as not all avenues reach the type of buyers who would buy antique cars. And for the avenues you can use, you have to ensure whichever you choose aligns with your interests as well as those of the car. Which is the best way to sell an antique car?

Selling Online

Selling an antique car online requires a slightly different approach, as not all avenues work. How do you sell an antique car online? Many antique car sellers prioritize marketplaces like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. These, especially eBay, work just fine, but for a better selling experience, you should consider platforms that exclusively cater to older cars. We'd recommend Hemmings, Autotrader Classics, Bring A Trailer, and ClassicCars.com.

Pros

• Selling online is the most convenient way of selling an antique car. It eliminates the hassle of transporting the car, and you can arrange viewership and other in-person business as your schedule allows.
• Online platforms, especially those dedicated to older cars, have better exposure, increasing the chances of getting an offer soon after you make a listing.
• You'll get a better offer selling an antique car online, particularly on platforms with related listings, as the audience resonates with older cars.
• Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are nearly costless methods of selling an antique car, thus reducing the costs involved in the sale process. eBay is relatively affordable compared to car-dedicated platforms.

Cons

• Websites you can use to sell an antique car are relatively expensive, and costs can accumulate should you decide to keep the listing if the car doesn't find a buyer before the listing package expires.
• It's common for online platforms to attract scammers and fraudulent buyers, which could lead to you losing the car or payment issues after the car is purchased.

Selling At An Auction

Antique cars are better sellable at auctions as this is where collectors and enthusiasts are silently scouting for their next garage and collection additions. But regular car auctions won't cut it. For a higher chance of a successful sale and a decent selling price, for that matter, consider auctions that cater to older cars, particularly classics.

Pros

• Selling an antique car at an auction presents it to an ideal audience that understands the car and will make better offers than selling through other means.
• Most auctions attract a large pool of buyers competing in the bidding war. Due to the bidding competition, your antique car's next custodian will likely have to part with a lump sum of money to get it off your hands.
• Auctions are held relatively frequently, so if you're not pleased with the offers from one auction, you can always try the next or another one in a different location. Online auctions are a thing too.

Cons

• Auction houses control everything once you register your antique car and hand it over, limiting your control over the sale process.
• If you accept the winning bid, expect to receive cuts as you'll be charged a commission, among other fees such as handling and facilitation fees, which go to the auction house.

Consignment Selling

This is a relatively common method of selling antique cars, especially among sellers or owners who don't resonate with antique cars or want to be completely free from the sale process. Like regular cars, selling an antique car on consignment involves partnering with a dealer or an individual (consignee) who acts as an agent to help you sell your car. However, an individual well-versed with antique cars would be a better option since car dealerships rarely sell antique cars. You then work with the consignee to establish a realistic price for your antique car, and everything else is left to them. All you have to do is do the paperwork if you accept an offer the consignee approaches you with from a buyer.

Pros

• You're free from the hassle of marketing, showing, and negotiating when selling an antique car on consignment.
• If you're unsure how to sell an antique car, an experienced consignee leverages their experience to help you sell and reach potential buyers.
• The consignee's experience could also lead to a higher price than you would have sold the car for.

Cons

• Consignment fees and other related costs in the sale process are charged to the final selling price. The higher it is, the more the costs are deducted.
• Selling an antique car on consignment relinquishes some control over the selling process and the final price as you're not in direct contact with buyers.

Sell An Antique Car On Exotic Car Trader

Exotic Car Trader has a dedicated platform where you can sell your antique cars. Your listing is guaranteed to reach a broad audience of collectors and enthusiasts, connecting you with passionate buyers worldwide. Besides listing your antique car on Exotic Cat Trader, we also list it on premium partner sites like eBay Motors, Autotrader, and Cars.com, reaching an even wider audience of eager collectors and enthusiasts. Need help showcasing your antique car's true charm? Our professional photographers capture stunning photos and videos that highlight its unique details. Wondering where to start? Contact us today and let us handle everything for you, and we'll get you the most money for your antique car.

Conclusion

When selling an antique car, understanding the car's needs and navigating the diverse selling avenues is essential, but remember the car's history, as it also plays a crucial role in showcasing the car to buyers. By choosing the right approach when selling an antique car and implementing the tips outlined, you'll ensure the car finds not just a buyer but also a buyer who cherishes its unique history.