Sell Your Classic Car for Top Dollar

Auction Your Classic Car on Private Auto

PrivateAuto is the best site to auction your classic car. Other sites charge huge fees and provide little value. We do the opposite. Check out the differences.

	Other auction sites	PrivateAuto
Cost	4–5% of car sales price, usually several thousand dollars.	Seller lists for $25 and pays a $150 closing fee. Buyer also pays a $150 closing fee.
Choose between auction or standard sale	No (except for eBay Motors)	Yes. PrivateAuto allows you to list cars for sale or auction them.
Transactional tech	No innovation. These sites connect buyer and seller and leave them to navigate the transaction on their own.	A complete technology stack to facilitate every phase of the deal.
Ease-of-use	Difficult to navigate	Intuitive to navigate
Communication with buyers	Clunky, exposes contact info	Securely handled via the PrivateAuto app; keeps your personal info private.
Identity verification	No	Yes. You can choose to deal with verified sellers only.
Funds verification	No	Yes. Weed out tire-kickers by dealing with buyers whose funds are verified.
Is the auction binding?	The auction is non-binding. The winning bid has the right of first refusal. The seller has no way to enforce follow-through.	Enforce immediate follow-through or winning bid is negated.
Payments	No support. Buyer and seller handle payment off-platform; all options are inconvenient, risky, slow, or expensive.	PrivateAuto Pay allows you to receive any amount of money, instantly, with no transfer fees. Like Venmo—for high-dollar transactions.
Escrow	Encourage you to use a third-party escrow service (inconvenient and expensive).	Self-administered escrow-like safeguards baked into the workflow.
Paperwork	No support	Electronically sign the bill of sale in the PrivateAuto app.
Shipping	No support	Book car shipping within the PrivateAuto app.
Inspections	No support	Schedule an inspection from a qualified mechanic within the PrivateAuto app.
Integrated services	None: buyer must coordinate between multiple parties.	Get insurance, car shipping, a warranty, an inspection, or financing within the PrivateAuto app.

Where is the Best Place to Sell My Classic Car?

When you go to sell your classic car, you have the following options:

1. Sell it online via a classifieds listing
2. Sell it via auction
3. Sell it to a classic car dealer

Auction

While there are many car auction websites, they provide little value beyond allowing you to get potential buyers bidding on your car. PrivateAuto gives you a full suite of tools to do the deal, from listing your car to getting paid.

We have created an online auction service that is safe, secure, and convenient. We verify the identity of buyers to weed out fraudsters. We verify funds so that your winning bid isn’t a tire-kicker. And we allow you to get paid securely via PrivateAuto Pay.

But, hey, if you want to list your car on other auction websites, who are we to stop you? But we still want you to have the transactional security and convenience that our users enjoy.

That’s why DealNow was created. DealNow allows you to start a deal on any site, and close the sale anytime Invite the buyer to DealNow and fast-track your transaction.

Dealer Trade-In

Classic car dealers need to buy low and sell high. If you want to get top dollar for your classic car, you’re better off selling it to a fellow classics enthusiast.

What Is The Market For Classic Cars?

The current market for classic vehicles is growing. Check out the following statistics.

According to Statista, the global classic car market revenue is estimated to be 31.6 billion U.S. dollars for 2022, with an expected growth rate of 9.6 percent annually until 2026.
The global classic car market is projected to grow steadily from roughly 30.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2020 to some 31.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2022.
Prices are dropping for used cars, but when it comes to classic cars. A study by The Classics Valuer found that used selling prices have risen more than 12% in 2023.

Where Can I Sell My Car for Cash?

If you want to sell your car fast, you can list it across multiple online marketplaces to get maximum exposure instead of lowering your sale price.

Fortunately, PrivateAuto lets you manage multiple listings through the PrivateAuto app. Our DealNow fast-track solution lets you get the deal done, even if you listed your car on online auction websites such as eBay Motors or Bring a Trailer.

Start your sale anywhere; finish it and get paid with PrivateAuto.

Simply create a deal room in DealNow, invite your qualified buyer, and enjoy DealNow’s transactional workflow. We give you secure messaging, test drive scheduling, electronic docu-signing, and instant payments.

Want to buy a car instead? Start your buying process now!

How Can I Add Value To My Classic Car?

With just a few steps, you can enhance your classic car’s appeal and potentially boost its value.

1. Regular maintenance, such as oil changes, tire rotations, battery checks, and wheel alignments, is critical to its long-term health and value.
2. When you restore your classic car, you will increase its value. But be cautious when considering a restoration. Prospective buyers want a classic car that’s as close to its original production as possible.
3. A valuable classic car usually contains original factory parts. Customization can devastate the value of a classic vehicle. Make sure the engine, transmission, rear axle, and other key parts contain original part numbers.
4. New tires increase safety and aesthetics. On a collectible car, it’s best to buy tires that are as close to the original as possible. If the rims are dented or damaged, they should be repaired as well.
5. Enter classic car shows: Participating in car shows can help increase your classic car’s resale value. Stay local or travel to various shows to showcase your vehicle1.
6. Collectors and classic car appraisers value a vehicle that has the same components it came with or parts from the same era. If you preserve the original parts and components you will help increase the value of your classic car.

Which Site is More Secure?

PrivateAuto offers greater security and safety than other auction websites.

Buyers and sellers have their identities verified, weeding out fraudsters who prefer to operate anonymously.
Buyers have funds verified, weeding out tire-kickers who can’t afford the seller’s car.
Secure encryption keeps everyone protected.
Unlike auction websites—which force buyer and seller to exchange contact info to conclude the transaction—PrivateAuto allows you to easily do the deal without ever giving out personal information.
Electronic docu-signing binds both parties to a legally-enforcable contract, so the buyer can safely transfer funds to the seller without the concern of the seller reneging.
PrivateAuto Pay gives you escrow-like safeguards—without the expense and inconvenience of a third-party escrow service (and without the risk of falling prey to an escrow scam).

How to Sell My Classic Car in Each State?

Different states have different documentation requirements for private-party car sales—classic cars as well as for vehicles that are less than 20 years old.

You have to pay attention to issues such as:

Whether to leave license plates on the car or remove them
Whether an inspection is required or not
Whether a bill of sale is required or not

That’s why we’ve created a guide to selling your car in each state.

Click on your state below to learn more.

Classic Vehicle FAQ

Are classic cars good for beginners?

Classic cars are not ideal for beginners. Classics require a lot of maintenance and can have tricky handling for driving novices. Better to start with newer used cars to build experience first.

Are classic cars good for daily driving?

Classic cars are not generally used for daily driving, but it depends on the specific car and its condition. Some classic cars, such as the Volkswagen Beetle and Ford Mustang, are known for their durability and can be driven daily with proper care.

Do classic cars use more fuel?

Classic cars can use more fuel than modern vehicles due to their older technology and less advanced engine designs. Some classic cars are more fuel-efficient than others like the Citroën 2CV, Fiat Nuova 500, and Austin-Healey Sprite.

What are the disadvantages of classic cars?

Classic cars have a unique charm and appeal that captivates classic car enthusiasts worldwide. They also have some disadvantages.

1. Unreliability: classic cars can be less reliable than modern vehicles due to their age and older technology. Regular maintenance and tune-ups are essential to keep them running well.
2. Fuel efficiency: classic cars generally have lower fuel efficiency compared to modern vehicles.
3. Expensive parts: sourcing parts for classic cars can be more expensive, as they may need to be custom-fabricated or imported from other countries.
4. Rust and corrosion: classic cars, especially those made before the 1980s, are more prone to rust and corrosion due to the materials used in their construction.
5. Lack of safety features: classic cars do not have the same safety features as modern vehicles, such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, and crumple zones, which can make them less safe in crashes.
6. Comfort and convenience: classic cars lack modern comforts and conveniences, such as air conditioning, power windows, and infotainment systems.
7. Insurance limitations: some insurance policies for classic cars may not cover the actual value of the car or allow daily driving.

What is the difference between vintage cars and classic cars?

Vintage cars are typically defined as vehicles manufactured between 1919 and 1930, while classic cars are generally at least 20 years old and not older than 45 years. These distinctions help enthusiasts, collectors, and regulators categorize and appreciate different types of vehicles based on their age, historical significance, and other factors.

What is a self-serve auction?

A self-serve auction allows you to take multiple bids for your vehicle, and sell it to the highest bidder. It enables you to conduct the entire process yourself, rather than using an auction house or third party to manage the auction.

PrivateAuto is a technology stack that empowers you to conduct your own auction. Our transactional tools take you from creating a listing all the way through getting paid for your car by the winning bidder.

Should I auction my car on the Hemmings auction website?

If you want the support of a seasoned team of automotive enthusiasts and specialists, you might consider auctioning your car on Hemmings. If you prefer to auction your car yourself on an intuitive, secure platform that allows you to get the deal done and get paid with minimum hassle, you’re going to love PrivateAuto.

Brad Parker

Contributing Author

Brad Parker is the CEO and co-founder of PrivateAuto, where his dynamic entrepreneurial spirit and visionary leadership are driving the transformation of the automotive industry….