Collector’s vehicles are automobiles that interest more and more users. This can be explained by the historical value they attach to it. While riding in a classic car, you are sure to attract the attention of all passers-by. However, buying a classic car has certain disadvantages that you will discover here.
A collector’s car: what is it?
To have collector car status , an automobile must meet a number of criteria. The first condition refers to age. Thus, a classic or collector’s vehicle must be at least 30 years old . Its first circulation must imperatively date back to this age.
Then the car in question must no longer be in production. Finally, the vehicle must not be modified in any way. Indeed, it must include its original parts as well as its intrinsic specificities.
Even if your car meets all these criteria, obtaining the status of “collector’s vehicle” is not automatic. You have to apply for it and go through the process, which can sometimes be time-consuming .
The disadvantages of buying a collector’s vehicle
Buying a collector’s vehicle is a good option because it allows you to own a rare automobile. However, this choice has some drawbacks.
An expensive purchase price
The first disadvantage of a collector’s vehicle is its expensive purchase price . Indeed, compared to an ordinary car, a classic vehicle is less accessible in terms of cost. This state of affairs may well be explained by the fact that there are a limited number of them in the world. Therefore, collector cars are not within the reach of all users. To get it, you need to have a fairly substantial purse.
A restriction of mobility
If you need a vehicle for your daily trips, buying a classic car will be a bad choice. Until 2009 in France, this type of car was not allowed to circulate in certain departments.
Even if this is no longer the case today, you will not be able to use such an automobile for your daily errands. These vehicles are already too old to meet your needs. As a result, their use is not regular. This justifies the low cost of their insurance.
As you can imagine, owning a classic car can lead to a double investment . You must also have another regular vehicle available. In addition to being expensive, you are obliged to invest in another automobile for your travels.
Similarly, vintage vehicles are reputed to emit a significant amount of CO 2 . Thus, they do not meet ecological standards .
Prohibited professional use
Unlike a regular vehicle that can be used for professional use as needed, a classic car will not. The latter may in no case be used for profit. It cannot therefore be used for the transport of goods or people for payment. Similarly, you do not have the possibility of renting it, even between individuals.
When you rent out a classic car, the insurers reserve the right not to compensate you in the event of an accident . Thus, there is no way to make your investment profitable while you still have the vehicle available. The only alternative is to sell it if you want to make a profit from it.
An expensive repair
One of the big drawbacks of classic cars is the high cost of repairing them . At first, they must be repaired regularly, since they are old vehicles in most cases. Then their spare parts are quite rare.
Therefore, you have to shell out a small fortune to unearth them. In most cases, these are tools designed to measure and on demand, since the car models to receive them are no longer manufactured.
Likewise, it is not possible to repair your vehicle in a random garage. You have to take it to specialized centres, which requires a certain investment. However, you will be able to integrate a network of collectors, which will facilitate your access to spare parts.
How to choose auto insurance for a classic car?
Insuring a classic car is a process that requires special attention and a good knowledge of the car insurance market. Classic cars are vehicles that have historical value and are often very expensive, which means classic car insurance should be tailored to their value.
When choosing auto insurance for a classic car, it is important to consider several factors. First, it’s important to find an insurance company that offers specific policies for classic cars. Traditional insurers may not have the expertise or resources to properly assess the value of a classic car.
Then, it is important to choose insurance that meets the specific needs of the collector car owner. For example, if the car is used regularly, it is important to choose insurance that provides coverage for daily trips. If the car is stored in a garage and used occasionally, kilometer insurance may be an attractive option.