Are you thinking about buying a classic car? You’ve got your eyes on that Corvette 427 L88 that you spotted at the classic car show, but you’re unsure if it’s worth the price the owner is asking. How do you assess whether the car is a good buy or a piece of junk that falls apart when it arrives in your garage? You have everything you need here as a resource to see if it’s a good deal that’s worth the money – or a lemon.

What to Look for When Buying a Classic Car

Overall, the classic car market offers a blend of passion, nostalgia, and investment potential. It attracts collectors from around the world. Understanding the various factors that influence the market can help you make informed decisions when buying your dream classic car.

Check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

The first place to start in the car-buying process is with the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). It seems like a weird place to begin the assessment, but it’s the most critical step of the process. Why? The VIN tells you the car’s history, including if it’s been stolen.

The VIN is the unique 17-digit code given to every car sold in the United States. It helps you verify the title holder of the vehicle to ensure you’re not buying a stolen car.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standardized the VIN placement on all vehicles built from 1981 onwards. Therefore, you might not find one on that Corvette you’re interested in. However, if you’re buying a car manufactured after this date, you can usually find the VIN. It is most often located on the driver’s side dashboard at the base of the windshield or on the sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb.

The VIN may also appear in the following locations on the vehicle:

Under the steering column.
Inside the driver’s side wheel arch.
On the engine firewall.
On original components of the car.

If you can’t locate the VIN anywhere, you can contact a dealership to search the maintenance records for the vehicle. You can also speak to a mechanic who worked on it. Some local classic car clubs may also keep records on the vehicle.

If buying the vehicle from a private seller, check that the VIN matches the model and year. If it doesn’t, you might be looking at a stolen car – walk away from the deal, no matter how good it looks.

Check the Paperwork Before Buying A Classic Car

Next up, check the car’s paperwork. That means reviewing the repair and maintenance records. This task gives you an idea of how the previous owner or owners looked after the vehicle over the years. The more complete the maintenance records, the higher the confidence that you’re dealing with a genuine article loved by the owner.

A car with complete maintenance records is worth more than one with a patchy service history. You can expect that to be reflected in a classic vehicle’s price. If you can’t find the VIN, ask the owner for the title documents to prove they’re the owner and it’s not stolen property.

Ask the owner if the car has OEM replacement parts or if they had to use pirated parts to do any repairs. If they used pirate parts, you have more room to negotiate the price of the vehicle. You can follow up by checking the part numbers to ensure they are OEM replacements.

Inspecting the Physical Attributes of a Classic Car

For peace of mind, consider finding a mechanic who is qualified in older vehicles. They can give the car a pre-purchase inspection before finalizing the sale. Unless you have experience working on older cars, a professional can give you an idea of their condition.

They’ll inspect the vehicle and identify mechanical or electrical faults, including the health of the engine and drivetrain/gearbox. A professional inspection might set you back a few hundred dollars, but it’s better than finding out there’s sawdust in the gearbox and a blown head which will end up costing you thousands in repairs down the road of ownership.

If you’re inexperienced with inspections, you can do a few other basic checks while waiting for the professional to review the vehicle.

Body – Look for rough edges or gaps on panels.
Paint – Check for paint bubbles or lifting showing signs of damage and repair.
Trim & Glass – Look at the state of the rubber seals, trim, plating, and glass.
Interior & Soft Top – Check the top fits and the condition of the fabric and interior upholstery. Look at the floor mats and carpet and the state of the pedals.
Suspension & Chassis/Undercarriage – Look at how the car sits and signs of corrosion around the exhaust.
Drivetrain, Gearbox, & Engine – Run through the gears and see if they feel smooth. Be alert when you take it for a test drive.

The professional inspector will review this properly, but it doesn’t hurt to check it yourself.

More To Consider Before Buying A Classic Car

When buying a classic car, considering upkeep costs and the availability of parts is important. Finding parts for your classic car may be difficult. Classic cars are often purchased to keep them long-term. The car owner needs to consider more than just the purchase price. Classic cars often require more frequent maintenance due to their age.

What to Take With You to the Inspection

Carry a magnet, flashlight, and a towel to the assessment. The flashlight lets you see into dark areas, the magnet tells you if there’s any body filler on the panels, and the towel stops you from getting filthy while inspecting the undercarriage.

Dave & Rays Automotive Repair Shop in Omaha, NE

Our team has learned one thing: automotive problems are as varied and unique as the customers who bring them to us. Fortunately, our decades of experience in auto service and repair also mean that our skilled network of professionals is ready to accommodate an impressive scope of automotive issues. Contact us today.