How to Sell an Antique Car

Antique cars are a beautiful thing to have and often a very costly one not only to purchase but also to maintain. If you find yourself in the position to be selling an antique car, sell your car the safe and easy way.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet
• Knowledge of the antique car market
• Access to a DMV office

Getting the Car Ready to Sell

1. Find a car appraiser to do a complete inspection of your car. Think of it as when you sell a house, you want to fix everything that you can fix to get a higher selling price.

2. Fix anything the appraiser suggests and make sure that you get a printed copy of his report including the appraised value of the car.

3. Pay a good mechanic who specializes in antique cars. Have him do a complete tune up and run a diagnostic test to make sure there is nothing mechanically wrong with the car.

4. Clean the car top to bottom. If you don't want to do this yourself most car dealerships offer detailing services, but find someone you can trust.

5. Take digital pictures of the car from every angle of the outside and from every angle that you can on the inside. This should include good pictures of the console or dash area, the upholstery, the engine and the trunk. Make sure to take pictures of any special features to the car as well.

Finding a Buyer

6. Look in your local phone book and see if there is a business or auction that handles antique cars. If there is, call them and find out all the details. Usually there is a fee for using a broker or auction house.

7. Research online for reputable sites that owners can sell and buy cars on. One specialty site is collectorcartraderonline.com. Not only is it a great site to use, they are a SEMA member and a trustworthy company.

8. Decide how you want to sell your car, whether it is through an online site, auction house/broker or to list it locally and find a private buyer.

9. Use common sense when you find a buyer. Go through the selling process carefully and with the aid of your local DMV and possibly a financial adviser.

Tips & Warnings

• ALWAYS make sure that you are follow your state laws surrounding selling a vehicle, as well as all DMV regulations.
• ALWAYS have all the appropriate paperwork filled out by the buyer BEFORE you sign.
• ALWAYS save your paperwork as you need to report the sale of a vehicle at tax time.
• NEVER hand over the title until you have received full payment in a secure form, such as cashier's check, money order or cash (though cash is not recommended).
• NEVER list with an agency that seems too good to be true. They probably are.

Resources

• Buy and sell specialty cars from a reputable site and SEMA member.
• Created by the owner of Albee Enterprises, a performance product company, this site offers a great way to buy and sell; they also list car clubs.
• A well-known car organization, they are in partnership with over eight different sites for maximum exposure to buyers.