What’s the Best Platform to Sell a Classic Car in the UK?

Selling Classic and Collectible Cars in the UK: Should You List, Auction, or Go Direct?

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In the vibrant world of classic, sports, and collectible cars, the UK remains one of the most active and diverse markets in Europe. From restored icons and heritage racers to modern classics and limited-edition GTs, the appetite for interesting vehicles continues to grow. But when it comes time to sell, many owners find themselves wondering the same thing:

"Where do I list it? Should I auction it? Do I speak to a dealer?"

This guide is here to answer that. Whether you're parting with a cherished long-term garage queen or an intriguing project with cult appeal, we're going to walk through your options — openly, honestly, and with your best interests at heart. We’re not aligned to any single route. Our role is to help you find the right buyer, through the right platform, at the right time.

Where to Sell a Classic Car in the UK: Platforms Explained

The UK market is fortunate to have an incredibly wide range of selling platforms. In 2023 alone, over 7.5 million used cars changed hands in the UK — and platforms like AutoTrader, Car & Classic, and Collecting Cars hosted a significant percentage of those listings. Sellers now face more choice than ever, with each route offering varying degrees of exposure, effort, and reward.

Broadly, sellers have three primary choices:

Online Classifieds – AutoTrader, Car & Classic, PistonHeads

Online Auction Platforms – Collecting Cars, Bonhams|Cars Online, Trade Classics

Are Traditional Live Auctions Still Worth It for Classic Cars? – Iconic Auctioneers, Historics, H&H, Mathewsons, Brightwells, ACA

Let’s explore how each one works — and when it makes sense to use it.

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Should You Use Online Classifieds to Sell Your Classic Car?

If you want to cast a wide net and retain total control of the sales process, online classifieds are a good starting point.

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AutoTrader.co.uk

The most visited car marketplace in the UK, AutoTrader brings in over 44 million monthly visits, with an estimated 1.44 million daily users in the UK. At any given time, the platform hosts more than 400,000 vehicle listings, and many cars in the enthusiast bracket (e.g. Porsche 911, BMW M3, Lotus Elise) achieve strong visibility and buyer engagement. Well-presented cars can often receive serious enquiries within the first 48 hours of listing.

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CarandClassic.com

This platform positions itself as Europe’s largest classic vehicle site. It attracts enthusiast-led buyers, and its focus on presentation and transparency (including optional escrow services) makes it especially strong for older classics, restorations, and period cars.

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PistonHeads.com

Part marketplace, part community forum. PistonHeads is a great option for niche enthusiast vehicles, modified cars, and performance icons. It enjoys healthy traffic and deep buyer knowledge — especially if your car has a story to tell.

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When to Use Classifieds:

You’re in no rush to sell

You want to control communications and negotiations

Your car has broad appeal or needs the ‘right buyer’

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Considerations:

You’ll need to handle enquiries, tyre-kickers, and viewings

Requires good photography and compelling ad copy

Watch out for: Timewasters and unscrupulous leads asking you to buy and send them third-party car history reports — a common scam to extract money without genuine interest in the vehicle.

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Is an Online Auction Right for Your Classic or Sports Car?

Over the past five years, online-only auctions have exploded in popularity. These platforms offer timed listings, full transparency, and marketing support — without the need to trailer your car to a venue.

CollectingCars.com

Founded in the UK in 2019, Collecting Cars has grown into a global force with over 35,000 cars sold to date and more than £400 million in sales volume. Known for its slick listings, strong marketing, and a dedicated buyer base, it’s perfect for enthusiast vehicles with strong provenance, condition or uniqueness. Sellers get a curated experience, and buyers bid in confidence. The average time to list is just a few days from submission to live auction.

Bonhams|Cars Online

Leveraging the prestige of the Bonhams brand, this platform combines the best of both worlds — online accessibility with heritage auction backing. It’s ideal for rare or valuable cars that would benefit from a sense of occasion and legacy.

TradeClassics.com

Focused on older vehicles and transparency, Trade Classics includes inspection reports and detailed photography for each listing. It tends to suit classic owners who want peace of mind that buyers understand what’s being offered.

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When to Use Online Auctions:

You want to create bidding momentum and urgency

Your car is unusual, high-spec or in exceptional condition

You prefer a hands-off approach once it’s listed

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Considerations:

Auction results are final (assuming reserve is met)

You’ll need to be realistic with pricing and presentation

Watch out for: Failing to provide detailed descriptions or professional photography. Online auction buyers expect clarity — vague listings can lead to lacklustre bidding or post-sale disputes.

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Are Traditional Live Auctions Still Worth It for Classic Cars?

There’s still something magical about live auctions. The atmosphere, the buzz, the gavel, and the right room can create real fireworks.

The image below is tmy own 911SC Targa at The Iconic Sale at Race Retro. This auction is one of the season openers at the start of Spring. I chose this platform for a number of reasons but most importantly because I trusted the audience and the auction house promotion strategy.

I had also had previous good experience selling with them before. I didn't just rely on their marketing, good as it is, I made sure that the car garnered as much reach as possible with social media to really promote the car to a niche audience.

The sale outcome was worth the risk (if you see it that way). Here's the result of the Auction

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Iconic Auctioneers (formerly Silverstone Auctions)

A leading player in prestige classic sales, often linked with events like the NEC Classic Motor Show. Ideal for concours-level cars and motorsport provenance.

Historics Auctioneers / H&H Classics

Both offer well-attended, well-respected live auctions with online bidding. Suitable for mid-to-high-end classics, and they attract serious collectors.

Mathewsons / Anglia Car Auctions / Brightwells

These regional players offer an accessible, no-nonsense route to market. While results can vary, they also offer one of the few chances to score a bargain — or sell a car that needs recommissioning to an honest home.

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When to Use Live Auctions:

You’re looking for spectacle or sale-day adrenaline

You’re selling a car with wide recognisable appeal

You want expert valuation and full-service support

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Considerations:

Fixed auction schedules may mean waiting

Transporting the vehicle may be required

Watch out for: Auction fees and commission structures that eat into your bottom line. Always understand the seller's fee (and buyer’s premium) before consigning your vehicle.

Which Selling Route Is Best for Your Classic or Enthusiast Car?

Choosing the right platform depends on your car — and your priorities. Here’s how we help sellers think it through, using real-world examples for context.

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Watch out for: Choosing the wrong platform for your specific car. A desirable RS Porsche on Gumtree or a base-model BMW at a specialist classic auction will likely fall flat. Audience fit matters.

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Why We Rarely Recommend Instant-Buy Services

It’s important to be honest here: platforms like Webuyanycar.com or selling straight to trade have their place — but usually only when you need:

Immediate cash

No hassle, no questions

To get rid of the car quickly (e.g. estate clearance, divorce, etc.)

These services buy at trade prices and are structured to protect their margin. That’s not a criticism — it’s their business model. But for a well-maintained E46 M3, a numbers-matching Alfa Spider, or a cherished RS-badged Porsche, it’s almost always a last resort.

Watch out for: Being pressured into accepting a low-ball offer. Always get an independent valuation first so you understand your car’s real market value.

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Should You Use Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Printed Ads?

While platforms like Facebook Marketplace and eBay Motors are commonly used for selling vehicles in the UK, they’re rarely the best choice for classic or collectible cars.
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Facebook Marketplace

Widely used and free to list, but:

• High volume of timewasters, scammers, and non-serious buyers
• Very localised — which works for cheap runarounds, not niche or high-value cars
• No proper listing structure for service history, provenance, or presentation
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We don’t recommend Facebook Marketplace for selling anything beyond a basic, low-value vehicle. The lack of vetting and structure can waste time and erode buyer confidence.
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eBay Motors (UK)

eBay has long been a destination for car sales, but:
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• It attracts bargain hunters or project seekers — not ideal for enthusiast-grade classics
• Auction format can underperform without strong promotion
• Seller protections are weak and dispute resolution is messy

eBay can work for cars that need recommissioning or are being sold ‘as-is’, but it's not the place to sell a well-prepared Porsche 964 or a freshly restored Alfa Spider.
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Printed Media: Local or National

Still has its place — but with important caveats:
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Local village magazines or newspapers: great for older demographics, but rarely yield fast results unless you’re giving away a bargain.
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• National titles (like Classic Car Weekly or Octane):
◦ Good for brand-building or supporting an auction listing
◦ But expensive, and most buyers still follow up digitally
◦ Difficult to track engagement
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Think of print as a supplementary channel, not your main one.
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These platforms aren’t without value — but for the majority of sellers, they’re either too broad, too noisy, or too analogue to compete with specialist online marketplaces or curated auctions.. Always get an independent valuation first so you understand your car’s real market value.

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Helping Sellers Choose the Best Platform

What sets us apart is simple: we’re not tied to any one method. We work with sellers to understand the car, the circumstances, the goals — and then guide you to the best route.

Maybe that means we help you photograph and list a rare 964 on Car & Classic and PistonHeads. Maybe it means we prepare it for a weekend slot on Collecting Cars. Or maybe, after looking at the car’s quirks, we recommend a traditional house with the right catalogue.

The point is: we’re not guessing. We’re guiding.

More and more of our clients are asking us to handle the sale from end to end using our Consignment Concierge service — a tailored offering where we manage everything: presentation, platform choice, negotiation, and paperwork. In many recent cases, our clients achieved a sale within 10–14 days of listing, and in one example, a Porsche 996 C4S sold for 8% above its highest classified valuation thanks to strategic auction placement and pre-sale prep.

It’s a stress-free, expert-led path to securing the right result for you and your car — especially for those short on time or seeking maximum return with minimal hassle.

If you're thinking about selling, talk to us first. No pressure. Just perspective — and a clear sense of where your car belongs in the current market.

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FAQ: Selling a Classic Car in the UK

What is the best place to sell a classic car in the UK?

The best platform depends on your car. AutoTrader is best for modern classics and wide exposure. Car & Classic suits enthusiast vehicles. Collecting Cars and Bonhams|Cars Online work well for rare or high-value cars.

Should I sell my classic car via auction or classified?

Use classifieds if you want control and aren’t in a rush. Use auctions if your car is unique or in demand, and you want bidding momentum. We’ll help you choose based on your goals.

What do auctions charge to sell a car?

Collecting Cars charges no seller fees but takes 6% from the buyer. Traditional auction houses typically charge 5–10% to the seller, plus VAT, plus a buyer premium.

Is it safe to sell a car online?

Yes — but use verified platforms. Watch out for scams (like buyers asking you to pay for a car report). We help handle listing safely and professionally.

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Can you help me sell my car for me?

Yes. Our Consignment Concierge service handles the entire process — from prep and photography to listing, negotiation, and sale. It’s designed for people who want the best result with zero hassle. No pressure. Just perspective — and a clear sense of where your car belongs in the current market.

Need help deciding where to list your car?
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Get in touch and we’ll help you plan the perfect route to sale — with no bias, and your best interests in mind.

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