Getting ready to sell your collector car

Selling your collector car is a big deal. You’ve put a lot of hard work and time into it, even if that means just storing and admiring it over the years. No matter if your goal is to buy another collector car or liquidate one you have, what you do before you put it on the market matters.

In other words, you must know how to prepare your car for the market. Taking a few steps now, especially with a valuable asset like this, helps attract the best buyers and ensures the car will yield its true value. Here are some simple steps before you list it for sale.

Prepare the car Itself

A good starting point is to get the collector car in the best possible shape. There are several steps to doing this:

• Mechanical Work: Ensure all of the necessary mechanical work is done. Many buyers do not want a project car.
• Cosmetic Work: The cosmetic work of the car from the paint to the detailing makes an incredible difference in how attractive the car is.
• Spare Parts: If the vehicle has spare components, from the jack in the back to the spare tire, make sure they are all there. Small features, from ornamental details to the very specific wiper blades can increase the value of the car considerably.
• Paperwork: Your next step is to get all of the paperwork together on the car. This includes the title, but also look into printing off some insight into the car’s history from CarFax. Include a bit of personal history with the car as well. Collector car purchases can bring a lot of memories with them, making them even more valuable.
• Detail the Car: This may be one of the most important parts of the process. Spend the necessary time to detail the interior fully. If you can swing it, it is often best to have a professional do this work for you. However, make sure that professional has experience on detailing collector vehicles so they don’t use chemicals or additives that could otherwise damage the vehicle.

Marketing the collector car for sale

Whether you have a local auction house in mind to help you or plan to sell the collector car yourself through local marketing, there are a few simple things you can do to greatly enhance the look of the car and the way it sells.

• Take professional photos. If your car is valuable, these photos will pay for themselves.
• Ensure that there’s up to date information about what’s under the hood, in the car, and the details that help bring this car to life.
• Make sure you are taking photos and providing a clear description of the interior and the engine of the car. If you have not done so, now could be the ideal time to get the engine detailed, too.

Know the value of the car

It is also quite important to know the actual value of the collector car. What it means and is valued at to you, personally, is dependent on numerous factors. What someone else will pay is much different. These tips can help you ensure you’re targeting the best price point:

• Research current sold prices on the cars in your area. Look at the condition of those vehicles, the overall features, and what they sold for.
• Determine what the auction houses are selling these vehicles for by looking at their websites. For those who have very rare cars, it is best to turn to a specialized auction house with ample experience and significant marketing reach.
• Do your homework on the key problems the vehicles like this tend to have. Then, make sure that you have a clear description of the current condition of the car. If the engine has been updated, note that in the value of the car, for example.

These are just some of the tasks to take now to make sure your car is looking its best and ready to be sold.

Protect your collector car with the right Insurance

Selling your collector car means updating your insurance. Request a quote from Orbit Insurance Services for Collector Car insurance that protects your investment.