Choosing and buying
Choosing and buying
In short: first decide why you want an old car — that determines what you need from the car and the budget. Then check the documents, the body and the mechanicals as if the seller had told you nothing. Below are the options, the order of checks and common pitfalls.
Three buying scenarios
| Criterion | Everyday old car | Restoration project | Collector’s example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main requirementVerifiable fact | Roadworthiness and safety on the move | Sound bodywork and parts present | Authenticity and documented history |
| What to check firstVerifiable fact | Brakes, steering, suspension, electrics | Structural body parts, completeness | Numbers matching the documents, factory specification |
| Time and effort to keep itOpinion or assessment | Regular but predictable | Large and hard to plan | Moderate, but with storage demands |
| Who it suitsOpinion or assessment | Those ready to look after the car constantly | Those with time, space and skills | Those who value history over convenience |
Documents: the order of checks
Match the numbers
The VIN, the body or chassis number and the engine number (if recorded) must match in the documents and on the car. Look for signs of tampering.
Check the history
Records of owners, repairs and restoration, photos of previous work. A missing history is not a deal-breaker, but it is a reason to inspect the car more thoroughly.
Compare with the catalogue
Use catalogues and literature for the model to check which components and parts a car of that year should have. This is especially important for a collector’s example.
Clarify registration
If the car has been off the road for a long time or has had components changed, check the registration procedure with the vehicle registration authority before the sale.
Bodywork: where to look for problems
- Sills, underbody, lower parts of the doors and wings, wheel arches
- Suspension and chassis mounting points — structural parts matter more than outer panels
- Uneven paint thickness or shade, fresh filler, traces of welding
- Gaps around the doors, bonnet and boot lid
- Condition of the rubber seals and signs of water in the cabin and boot
Mechanicals
- Cold start, idling, smoke from the exhaust
- Oil and coolant leaks
- Brakes: even action, pedal effort, condition of the hoses
- Electrics: lights, instruments, battery charging, signs of home-made wiring
- Tyre date of manufacture on the sidewall — rubber ages even without mileage
Sources
- Factory manuals and parts catalogues for specific models
- Archives and encyclopaedic sources on model history
- Official information from vehicle registration authorities
This reference covers the history of automotive engineering and general principles. Take service schedules, capacities, torque settings and component specifications for a particular model only from the factory manual and parts catalogues. Check registration rules and the rules on modifications with the official authorities.