{"id":307,"date":"2019-04-14T10:00:22","date_gmt":"2019-04-14T10:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/?p=307"},"modified":"2024-09-12T10:25:14","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T09:25:14","slug":"classic-car-buying-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/classic-car-buying-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Classic Car Buying Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The older the car, the richer and more diverse its history is. In some cases, there are reams of paperwork to back that up, taking all the stress out of buying said car. In the case of most cars, however, the paperwork, while positive, won\u2019t be as in-depth as we might like. That means parts of the car\u2019s history could be a complete mystery. As such, you have to go into the purchase of a classic car with your eyes open and your wits about you. We\u2019re not saying that sellers would lie, far from it in fact. Classic car sellers are some of the finest people out there. But what we are saying is that the car could well be hiding secrets even the current owner doesn\u2019t know about.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With all that in mind, we\u2019ve put together this guide on what to look out for. We want you to enjoy your classic-buying experience, so let us help you through the potentially murky waters. Though we should offer the caveat stating that what we cover here will form a good base of knowledge for <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">all cars<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rather than specific models. That said, we\u2019ll be building up our \u2018Five things to look for\u2019 guides as we move forward, which will contain lots of model-specific information.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #036300;\"><b>Body<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-308\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/20190404_161141-2000x1500.jpg\" alt=\"Car bodywork, Ford Zephyr, Car damage, car repair\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/20190404_161141-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/20190404_161141-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/20190404_161141-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/20190404_161141-765x574.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/20190404_161141-1020x765.jpg 1020w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The body of a car can tell you all kinds of things from just a glance. If it has been subjected to a particularly harsh life, it won\u2019t be able to completely hide it. Though if it does, that\u2019s no bad thing \u2013 it means the car has been restored properly. When you go to view your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prospective classic purchase, here\u2019s what you need to be looking for:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ripples <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Crouch at the front and back corners of the car and get your eyes in line with the door handles. From the shallowest angle possible, look down the car for any dubious ripples. These could be a sign of liberal amounts of filler. They could indicate panels being out of line.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Metal<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 It\u2019s the oldest trick in the book, yet still people don\u2019t do it. Invest in a magnet and take it with you. Be sure to wrap it in a microfibre cloth or similar though, as you don\u2019t want to be responsible for any scratches. When you\u2019re looking at the car, place the magnet on the body in as many places as possible. The bottoms of the doors, the sills, the arches, the A-pillars, the bonnet and boot edges. Leave no panel untouched, and make sure you get a reaction from the magnet. If you don\u2019t, you\u2019re looking at a car that may be full of something other than metal. Not ideal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Panel gaps<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Look at the shut-lines around the car. The doors, the boot and bonnet, do the gaps between adjacent panels remain uniform and neat, or do they pinch or splay at any point? If they do, ask the owner why. It could be something as innocent as poor fitment after some work. Or it could mean the car is somehow twisted.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rust<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Oxidised metal is the enemy of every classic car owner. It seems that no matter what we do, rust always seems to rear its ugly head. As such, you need to be sure that any rust you can see is \u2018honest\u2019 rust. Rust you can look at and determine if it\u2019s going to be a headache. Look for \u2018dishonest\u2019 rust, too. You might find this care of the magnet trick above. You may spot it hiding under a liberal dollop of underseal. If you do, ask the owner why?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #036300;\"><b>Engine Bay<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-309\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/DqrWXHbW4AArzY7.jpg\" alt=\"Zephyr engine, Ford Zephyr, engine bay\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/DqrWXHbW4AArzY7.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/DqrWXHbW4AArzY7-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/DqrWXHbW4AArzY7-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/DqrWXHbW4AArzY7-765x574.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/DqrWXHbW4AArzY7-1020x765.jpg 1020w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open the bonnet and you\u2019ll be faced with all manner of things that are worth checking, not just the engine (we\u2019ll get to that next). Bring a torch so you can see down into every nook and cranny. Here\u2019s what you want to be looking for:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crash damage<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 You\u2019re going to be able to see the chassis rails in most cases \u2013 big lengths of box-section steel. But are they straight and true, or do they have uncomfortable looking ripples and kinks? If they do, the chances are the car has hit something hard at some point in the past.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rubber<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Old rubber is not the friend of a classic car. It perishes and cracks and as such, leaks. With that in mind, check the hoses that go to the radiator both top and bottom. Check all the hoses in fact, especially around the areas they\u2019re clamped down. If they are cracking or rough\/dusty to the touch, they\u2019re going to need replacing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cleanliness<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Is the engine bay so clean you can see your own reflection? That\u2019s nice, but unless you\u2019re buying a known show car, you have to question if it\u2019s honest. Has it been hastily cleaned to hide drips and leaks? If the engine bay\u2019s cleanliness doesn\u2019t match the car overall, ask why?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #036300;\"><b>Engine<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-310\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/D194WERX0AEoLxJ.jpg\" alt=\"Honda V6, engine, engine repair, engine diagnostic\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/D194WERX0AEoLxJ.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/D194WERX0AEoLxJ-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/D194WERX0AEoLxJ-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/D194WERX0AEoLxJ-765x574.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/D194WERX0AEoLxJ-1020x765.jpg 1020w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The heart of the beast, the engine is arguably the best bit. Even a humble-engined classic has a certain charm about it. But don\u2019t get swept away in the romance of an old powerplant, be objective and curious and look out for the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Temperature<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 It\u2019s an old trick. Run the engine for a while before a potential buyer comes to view. A warm engine can often be a quieter engine. If the engine is warm, ask why? Ask if you can wait for it to cool down before starting it again. A cold start is an honest start, and if there are any rattles, that\u2019s when they\u2019ll show themselves.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Levels<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Check the oil, not only for level but also for colour. You want the oil to have a bit of a brown sheen to it, ideally, rather than being thick, heavy and pure black. Smell it, too. Does it have a burnt odour? If so, something isn\u2019t right. Check other levels too like the brake fluid and the coolant.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Core plugs<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 On the engine block you should be able to see 50p-sized \u2018blanks\u2019. These are core plugs and are designed to pop out of the water in the engine freezes. Check them for corrosion, as they can fail prematurely if the rust sets in.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Numbers<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 The older the car, the more likely it is the engine has been changed at some point. Look for the engine number, which is normally stamped on the topside of the block somewhere and ask to compare it with the V5. On some cars this won\u2019t be a deal-breaker, but some cars command a higher price if they\u2019re \u2018numbers matching\u2019.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #036300;\"><b>Chassis<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-311\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/black-and-white-car-vehicle-vintage-2000x1333.jpg\" alt=\"Volkswagen Beetle, chassis, car chassis repair,\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/black-and-white-car-vehicle-vintage-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/black-and-white-car-vehicle-vintage-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/black-and-white-car-vehicle-vintage-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/black-and-white-car-vehicle-vintage-765x510.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/black-and-white-car-vehicle-vintage-1020x680.jpg 1020w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the most important part. The chassis is the backbone of the car, and without it everything else is destined to fail. It\u2019s also usually the most complicated part, and that means it may have been historically bodged in a bid to save money. That\u2019s why you need to be looking for the following things:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Repairs<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 The lines of any car\u2019s chassis should be straight and clean. So if you look underneath and are faced with clumsy steps, ripples or bends, it\u2019s safe to say repairs have been done. This isn\u2019t necessarily a bad thing as long as the work \u2013 specifically welding \u2013 has been done to a decent standard. If you can see rust around repairs though, it might be best to walk away.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Underseal<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Does the underseal look fresh and clean? That\u2019s not normal. It should show signs of life, a bit of dirt, that kind of thing. If it\u2019s fresh, you have to wonder if it\u2019s been slapped on to cover something up?<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abuse<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Look at the frontal area of the chassis for scrapes and dings. If they\u2019re present and in big numbers, it could be a sign that the car has been driven exceptionally hard. Fine on a rally car, but if you\u2019re looking at a Zephyr, you have to question how it\u2019s been treated in the past?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #036300;\"><b>Interior<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-312\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/DqrWWH1X0AA4N0m.jpg\" alt=\"Ford Zephyr interior, bench seat, classic car, red leather\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/DqrWWH1X0AA4N0m.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/DqrWWH1X0AA4N0m-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/DqrWWH1X0AA4N0m-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/DqrWWH1X0AA4N0m-765x574.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/DqrWWH1X0AA4N0m-1020x765.jpg 1020w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You want your car\u2019s innards to be pleasant. It\u2019s where you\u2019ll be spending most of your time after all. So be thorough and check what we list here, that way you can be sure you\u2019re buying a dud.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carpets<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 If you can lift the carpets, especially in the front foot-wells. Doing so will expose the floor and the inner front sills \u2013 areas that are prone to rot in almost every classic car.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Damp<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Does the interior smell damp? Press your hand down on the carpet and see if there\u2019s any moisture. Carpets won\u2019t let a car get away with a leak \u2013 they\u2019ll keep hold of the evidence. If the carpet is damp, check it everywhere else, too, to see if you can isolate the source of the leak.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seats and&nbsp;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i>seat-belts<\/i>&nbsp;\u2013 Check under the seats and look at the floor mountings. You\u2019re looking for corrosion or signs of damage that may prevent the seats from functioning. Also, be sure to check the seat-belt mounts both on the floor and on the B and C pillars. Not only is corrosion a MOT failure if found in those areas, it\u2019s also a big safety risk.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Windows <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Chances are you\u2019ll be going to see your potential new classic on a pleasant day. That\u2019s why you need to be extra vigilant when it comes to checking the windows, especially the lower corners. Old rubber seals aren\u2019t nearly as effective as today\u2019s bonded units and are prone to leaks. Leaks mean rust and rust means an expensive bill. So, look for water marks\/stains around the glass on the inside.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #036300;\"><b>Wheels and Tyres<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-314 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/capper3-3.jpg\" alt=\"Ford Capri, Dunlop wheel, classic car, tyre, Capri 3.0S\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/capper3-3.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2019\/04\/capper3-3-765x510.jpg 765w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As your connection to the road, you really can\u2019t take your wheels and tyres for granted. When going to look at a car, be sure to make time to inspect these vital parts, too. A poor set of tyres, for example, can ruin the way an otherwise perfect car drives.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sidewalls<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Are the sidewalls cracking? If so, that\u2019s a sign of age and also a potential MOT failure. It\u2019s definitely an MOT advisory. Rubber gets prattle as it gets older, so tyres crack. If there is a lot of cracking evident, this could spell punctures or even worse, a blow-out.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tread<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Whether the car is old or new, tyre tread is important. Is it even across the axles? Is it even over each individual tyre? If not, it could mean that the tracking, suspension geometry or even the brakes are faulty. It could mean the tyres have been over or under-inflated. Whatever the reason, it\u2019s something to question the seller over.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tread pattern<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 A quick visual check will reveal if a car has matching tyres. It\u2019s not the end of the world if tyres on the front axle don\u2019t match those on the rear, so long as they match across the axle. However, if the tyres are mismatched across the car, this is bad news and can ruin the handling.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wheels<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 You just need to check the wheels for overall condition. Alloy wheels are prone to corrosion, and this really can\u2019t be hidden. If you see it, it\u2019s going to mean a refurbishment. Steel wheels are hardy, but as you\u2019d imagine, they can rust if damage leaves areas untreated and exposed to the elements. Wire wheels can also rust and sorting them out is costly and timely repair given the intricacy of the design. If they\u2019re rough, it\u2019s a definite haggling point.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And there you have it, plenty of stuff for you to be checking when you go and look at your dream car. As we said earlier, individual cars have individual issues, but with the information we&#8217;ve put together here, you should be able to buy confidently while avoiding any major horrors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The older the car, the richer and more diverse its history is. In some cases, there are reams of paperwork to back that up, taking all the stress out of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":315,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[2],"tags":[15,131,12,13,11,129,130,133,132,14,16],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.10 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Classic Car Buying Tips - What to look for - Car &amp; Classic Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Buying a classic car should be a scenario filled with fun and joy. Buy a dud, however, and it&#039;s anything but. 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