The Classic Car Owner's Guide
Selling a classic car
By Jon Cosson · Last checked
Selling a classic well comes down to choosing the right route for the car, having paperwork that proves what you say about it, and keeping the car, the keys and the log book until the money is cleared in your own account.
The essentials
- Choose the route. A traditional auction house handles buyers and payment for a commission; online auctions and classified adverts reach more people but leave more of the work to you; a dealer offers speed at a lower figure; a club sale reaches the best-informed buyers.
- Describe it honestly. Even in a private sale, the car must match the description you give it. "Matching numbers", "original" and "restored" are statements of fact.
- Do not hand over anything before the money clears. Check the payment yourself in your own banking app. A screenshot, an email or a screen on the buyer's phone proves nothing.
- Watch for scams. Overpayments, shipping agents and fake escrow accounts are the common ones.
- Tell the DVLA. Give the buyer the new keeper slip and tell the DVLA online, which is quickest. If you sell to a motor trader, follow the trader steps instead.
- Tell your insurer once the sale is complete. A policy does not end on its own.
Pages in this section
- Selling at Mathewsons: auction dates and entries
- Detailed selling guides on our sister sites, written for particular cars but useful for any classic: Selling a Triumph Stag, Selling an MG T-Type, Selling a Jaguar E-Type
Coming to this section
The complete selling guide; selling at auction; selling at Mathewsons; selling privately and online; preparing a car for sale; describing a car honestly; payment scams aimed at sellers; selling an inherited car or a collection.
FAQs
- What is the safest way to be paid for a classic car?
- A bank transfer into your own account, which you confirm yourself in your own banking app before anything is handed over.
- Do I have to tell the buyer about faults in a private sale?
- A private seller does not have to volunteer every fault, but anything you do say must be true, and the car must match the description you give it.
Checked 13 October 2026 against GOV.UK (Tell DVLA you've sold a vehicle), legislation.gov.uk (Sale of Goods Act 1979, section 13) and Report Fraud.
An independent guide from Thornton-le-Dale. Not connected with Mathewsons or the programme.