How to Buy a Classic Car Online
More people are buying vintage automobiles online through auctions than ever—often sight-unseen. It can be fun and a great way to find rarities, but there are risks, too. Here’s what you need to know.
Cars like this 1977 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 are often bought and sold online.
Photographer: Skaman306/Moment RF
With used car prices skyrocketing, new-car inventories delayed for months, and the lingering stay-closer-to-home trend of Covid-19, car lovers are increasingly shopping online.
Last year, online auction sales beat live auction sales for the first time, with 20,000 cars sold online vs. 16,000 sold live across North America, according to research by the classic car insurer and data firm Hagerty. All told, online car sales rose 107%, moving from $492.5 million sold in 2020 to $1.02 billion sold in 2021, according to Kevin Fisher, a Hagerty analyst.