Essential Questions To Ask Before Buying a Vintage Car

Many classic car buyers purchase vehicles from private sellers through online ads, publications, classic car shows, and swap meets. If you’re interested in a vintage car, be sure to ask these essential questions before you buy.

Why Are You Selling the Car?

Perhaps the first question you should ask the owner of the classic car is why they’re selling. Knowing the motivation for selling the vehicle will be useful when it comes time to negotiate the price later.

Maybe the seller doesn’t have the space for it anymore, needs money fast, or isn’t interested in selling but just trying to find the best offer. If they mention problems with the car, like it keeps breaking down or is a money pit for repairs, those are major red flags. But if the seller is a collector who’s recently restored the car and looking to make a profit, that’s a good sign of its quality.

What Is the Car’s Condition?

The primary factor in any classic car’s value is its condition, so this should also be one of the first questions you ask, especially if you’re not examining the vehicle in person. You’ll want to take everything the seller says with a grain of salt since they’re motivated to paint the vehicle’s condition in the best light to increase its value.

However, you should still listen carefully to how they describe the vintage vehicle’s condition, and pay attention to any mentions of repairs, maintenance, or other issues. If you’re shopping for the vehicle online, you may want to ask for more photographs or information regarding the vehicle’s condition.

How Did You Arrive at the Asking Price?

One essential question every buyer should ask before purchasing a vintage car is how the seller arrived at the asking price. First, it’ll give you some insight into how they came up with the asking price and which factors they used to determine its value.

Using these factors, you can build a case for negotiating the vehicle’s price. This information will also help you determine how much the seller actually knows about their car and the market. If their only reasoning is that they saw a similar car listed for the same price online, they likely don’t know the car or market very well. Therefore, it’s wise to ask this question early in the process and keep it in mind as you inspect the car closely and start to negotiate.

Does The Car Have a Clean Title?

It’s crucial to ask the seller about the title and whether it’s a clean or clear title. A clean title means that the vehicle doesn’t have any liens on it, and since the seller is the sole owner, it can be sold without challenge from a different lienholder.

If the car doesn’t have a clean title and there is a lien on it, ask about the lien and lienholder. If there’s a lien on the car, that could throw a wrench into the negotiations later on.

How Long Have You Owned the Car?

After the basic starter questions, you’ll want to look into the history of the vehicle and its ownership, starting with the current owner. If the owner has had the car for many years, that’ll likely mean they have an emotional attachment to the vehicle, which could inflate its value in their eyes.

If the seller is just the latest in a long line of owners, they’re more likely to let it go for a fair price. Although, if the car has had a lot of owners, that could be a red flag since no one seems to want to own it for long.

Is The Car Legal To Drive?

Another way to determine the vehicle’s condition is to ask if it’s legal to drive at the moment or whether it can pass an inspection. If you’re looking to make the vintage car a daily driver, you want to ensure it’s street-legal and can put on miles without breaking down.

If the seller says yes, that’s a good sign and should mean they won’t mind you having the vehicle professionally inspected to confirm. If they say no, you can open up a new line of questioning about why it’s not legal, what it’ll take to pass an inspection, and so on.

What Is Its Accident & Repair History?

As previously mentioned, you’ll want to know as much about the history of the classic car as possible; if it’s an especially old vehicle, that could be a long and storied history. Start with what the current owner has done to the vehicle regarding restorations, repairs, parts replacements, etc.

You can ask if it’s a numbers-matching car, which means the vehicle numbers on the chassis, engine, and gearbox all match. If all the numbers coordinate, the vehicle has mostly original parts; if not, then it’s had some significant repairs and work done. You may not care much about the original parts of the car, but the less original it is overall, the less value the car will have on the market.

Do You Have the Maintenance & Repair Records?

Regarding parts replacements and repair, ask the seller if they have the maintenance and repair records of the vehicle. The seller will likely tell you they took good care of it, but it’s always better to have documented proof that the vehicle has been maintained correctly and received necessary repairs.

It’s also wise to ask the seller if they have any maintenance or repair records from previous owners, if the car has had any. You don’t have to pore over decades of maintenance and repair records, but giving them a brief review will confirm that the car has been properly cared for.

Can I Get a Professional Mechanical Inspection?

Lastly, if you’re considering making an offer for the vehicle, you should ask about getting a professional inspection first. If the seller is cautious about having a professional look at the vehicle, that could be a red flag. If they’re cautious about bringing it to your preferred auto shop, negotiate for a fair, neutral third-party inspection so everyone is content.

You may know a lot about classic cars, but unless you’re a professional, there are some things you’re likely to miss. Taking the vehicle to a certified mechanic is a good way to gain a fair and honest assessment of the vehicle’s condition.

Conclusion

If you’re tired of negotiating with private classic car sellers, consider stopping by Ideal Classic Cars, one of the premier classic car dealers in Florida! At Ideal Classic Cars, you can rest assured that you’re buying a quality vintage vehicle from a reputable seller.