How To Check Out and Buy a Classic Car, Sight Unseen

If you’ve ever looked at a classic car advertised on the other side of the country but baulked at the idea of how to get it to you, then Retro Rides’ market analyst Cliff Chambers has some helpful advice.

The tyranny of distance certainly applies when buying cars in a place the size of Australia, but the process isn’t as daunting as once it was.

With cooperation from the vendor, a reliable pre-purchase inspection service and dependable vehicle transport provider, your car can be secured, checked and safely delivered in less time and at a lower cost than travelling to the vendor’s location, checking it yourself then making the journey home. 

Do Your Research and Know the Classic You’re Buying

Reading a Buying Guide or some old road tests is no substitute for personal experience of a vehicle that is likely to become significant in your life. 

If the model you desire is old or exciting enough to justify an owners’ club, contact the branch near you and become a member if you can. 

Attending club meetings or events will put you in contact with owners of the model you want to buy who can provide insights into what to look out for, and perhaps create the opportunity for a drive.

Consider the size of the vehicle and whether it is big enough to suit your needs, and fit the space you have for storage. Also consider who else might drive it and how often, because that will affect your insurance costs.

Also consider whether you’re willing to be flexible on model year and specification, and whether the car must be automatic or manual? If you're happy to shift your own gears on the make-model-variant equation, you may well find a suitable car that’s somewhat cheaper.

Just because you're looking at buying a car you can't inspect in person, there's still plenty of research you can do online beforehand (Image: Matheus Bertelli/Pexels)

Identify extras that are must-haves such as air-conditioning, fast-glass, or a removable hardtop. Don't pay more for a car that’s loaded with stuff you don't really want.

Set a price based on what you’ve observed similar vehicles selling for recently. Take the vehicle’s condition into account when setting your price. Don't expect to pay minimal money if the car is in near perfect condition. Alternatively, if the car needs mechanical, paint or rust repairs, then you may be in a good position to offer significantly less than the asking price. Don't waste time with a vendor who has unrealistic price expectations.

Be patient. It takes time to observe the market, to see how often suitable cars come up, how long they take to sell, and what sort of prices they are bringing. If you jump at the first example that presents you may end up paying too much, or buying an unsuitable car that may cause buyers regret later. Wait until something comes along that ticks most of your 'must have' boxes, then strike. 

When that special car does appear, but it’s on the other side of the country, there are ways to ensure it doesn’t escape your grasp, or turn into a financial nightmare.

The Dos and Don’ts of Checking Out a Classic Car 

Responsible dealers will include numerous photographs in their online advertisements. If a vehicle has panel or trim damage it will be disclosed and displayed, because the dealer would rather take less money for a flawed car than have the deal fall over once an independent inspection detects a problem.

Private sellers will sometimes attempt to hide damage by not posting photographs of suspect areas of the vehicle, hoping that a sharp price and fear of losing the car will encourage buyers to skip the inspection process. If you are concerned that parts of the vehicle aren’t being shown, ask for more photos.

Unless the vehicle is being sold through a licensed dealer who must by law provide Clear Title, you will need to arrange a Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) check, also known as a REVS check. The PPSR is a national online register administered by AFSA (Australian Financial Security Authority) which can provide information to help protect consumers when they are buying personal property such as cars, motorcycles and boats. It replaced state registers such as REVS, VSR and WOVR in 2012.

PPSR checks aren’t expensive and can be done online, using the Vehicle Identity Number (VIN) or Chassis Number for older models. 

When purchasing a vehicle you've never laid eyes on yourself, organising an independent mechanical inspection is essential (Image: Gratisography/Pexels)

The PPSR check will confirm that the vehicle is not carrying any undeclared debt and has not been reported stolen. In some States it can also advise if a vehicle is on the Register of Written Off Vehicles, due to having been seriously damaged in a crash, flood or other incident. 

Spend a bit more on these services and you can access a full Car History report which includes information like the date of original registration, when the vehicle was last sold and recorded kilometres (where available).

Even when you can see, drive and closely inspect a potential purchase, organising an independent mechanical inspection makes a lot of sense. But when buying a vehicle that you’ve never laid eyes on, it becomes essential. 

Hire a professional organisation that employs qualified people. Don’t get someone's interstate mate to do the job unless the mate has a background in the motor trade and plenty of experience.

When you receive the Inspection Report, ask a friend who has some level of mechanical expertise to peruse it and look for any possible landmines.  

Buyers who have their heart set on buying a particular car can be inclined to don the rose-tinted glasses, glossing over or ignoring any defects or required repairs discovered during the inspection. A qualified person or experienced friend won’t be as forgiving and may do you a favour by convincing you to give a car a miss, if it looks like trouble. 

When you buy a classic car from a dealer, expect to pay around 15 to 25 percent more than you will through a private sale (Image: Ritesh Singh/Pexels)

The Subtle Art of Closing the Deal on Your Next Classic 

Negotiation is a tricky business. You want to get the car for the lowest realistic price but don't want to lose it over a few hundred dollars either.

Bear in mind that dealers have staff to pay and preparation costs. When you buy from a dealer the price will generally be 15 to 25 percent more than you will pay via a private sale, and more than a car in similar condition that’s purchased at auction. 

It is useful when negotiating to know how long a car has been in the market. Some online advertisements carry a pricing history which shows when the advertisement first appeared and what reductions have been applied since then. 

If your first offer is accepted you probably went too high, so start low and be prepared to talk. If a car has damage, has travelled further than is typical or is an unpopular colour, the price could reduce quickly and considerably.

Once the deal is done, insist on an email or other written confirmation of the price, terms of sale including any extras or spare parts that are included, how payment will be made and arrangements to transport the vehicle.

Cash is still king when buying cars. Most dealers are happy to arrange finance and earn commission for doing so, but a private vendor who accepts your offer and is then told it’s subject to a bank loan being approved is unlikely to take the car off the market and may still accept the next cash offer that comes along.  

Trains, Planes and Automobiles: Getting Your New Classic Home

Unless you have the time and money to fly interstate, collect the car and make the return journey, then delivery by road, rail or a combination will likely be cheaper and more convenient. 

If the vehicle hasn’t run for a while, the tyres look ancient and it hasn’t had a recent roadworthy, don’t contemplate driving it any distance at all. Even for a relatively short return trip, have someone drive you to pick up the purchase and act as backup on the journey home. 

When hiring a carrier, check with a few freight businesses first, comparing price and whether the cost includes collection from the vendor's premises and delivery to your home. 

Ask for an estimated transit time, insurance arrangements and yard access times at journey’s end.

For many people, opting for delivery by road or rail will likely be cheaper and more convenient when the classic you're buying is located interstate (Image: Jonathan Cooper/Unsplash)

Make sure the vehicle when consigned is extensively photographed and any existing damage or missing parts noted by the carrier. The good ones have their own process for doing this but ask the vendor to take some to do this.  

Where possible, choose a carrier which provides online tracking of your vehicle during transit. You can then quickly and easily see where it is and make plans for collection. 

When taking delivery at the carrier’s holding yard, photograph and report any damage that wasn't there when the vehicle was consigned. Even if the carrier says they will refer the damage to its insurer, make a claim on your own policy and let them recover the loss. 

You may need to pay the excess but your car will be repaired faster and to the standards applied by your insurance company, not whoever carries the transport company’s liability.   

Remember that carriers will rarely accept responsibility for personal items placed in vehicles, so if there are spare parts, books, memorabilia or other items included in the deal, ask the vendor to put them in a sealed carton and lock it in the boot.