Buying a classic car has changed significantly over the past decade. What was once a process built around auctions, dealers, and trusted club networks is now increasingly happening online.
New research from Heritage Car Insurance shows that 29% of UK classic car owners have purchased a vehicle online or via social media. A decade ago, this figure would have been close to zero, highlighting just how quickly the market has evolved.
The convenience of online platforms has opened up more choices than ever before. However, this shift has also introduced new risks that many buyers are still learning to navigate.
Why are more people buying classic cars online
Online platforms have made classic car buying faster and more accessible. Buyers can now browse hundreds of listings in minutes, compare prices easily, and contact sellers directly without travelling across the country.
Specialist platforms such as Car & Classic and Collecting Cars tend to offer structured listings, including detailed photographs, vehicle descriptions, and some level of buyer reassurance. In contrast, social platforms like Facebook Marketplace prioritise speed and reach but offer very limited protection.
This shift is not just about convenience. It is also changing buyer behaviour, with decisions often being made more quickly than they would be through traditional channels.
Classic car fraud is rising across online platforms
A sharp increase has matched the growth in online transactions in fraud. Santander’s fraud data shows that £480,000 was lost to Facebook Marketplace car scams in 2023 alone, representing a 93% rise compared to the previous year.
Further analysis highlights how widespread the issue has become. Facebook now accounts for 73% of purchase fraud cases handled by TSB Bank, and a review of listings found that 34% of car adverts on the platform were fraudulent.
This level of activity shows that fraud is no longer a fringe risk. It is now a core concern for anyone buying a vehicle online.
Why buying a classic car online carries more risk
Classic cars are more difficult to assess remotely than modern vehicles. Their value is not based solely on age or mileage but on a combination of factors that are often hard to verify without seeing the car in person.
Details such as the quality of restoration work, the originality of parts, and the completeness of service history all play a major role in determining value. These are not always visible in photographs or accurately described in online listings.
As a result, buyers who rely purely on digital information risk overpaying or purchasing a vehicle that does not match expectations.
Traditional knowledge still drives classic car values
Despite the rise in online purchasing, traditional sources of information remain central to how buyers assess value. The research shows that 21% of classic car owners rely on magazines and trade publications, while 20.8% use auction results and 13.8% turn to car clubs.
Only 9.4% of respondents use online valuation tools as their primary source of information. This suggests that while transactions are moving online, trust in established valuation methods remains strong.
In practice, many buyers are combining traditional research with modern buying channels, which can create a disconnect between knowledge and action.