Classic Mini Values – Winter 2025
It's now winter 2025, I am writing this a day before the Autumn Budget, the market remains very cautious and prices are depressed from the hay days of 2020 when COVID was around
Classic Mini Values? Well, it had to happen, during COVID 19 the market went crazy. THE BUBBLE HAS NOW WELL AND TRULY BURST!
The market has softened dramatically, major auction houses are saying classic car values in general have dropped by 17% during 2024. Prices do not appear to have increased by much during 2025. Many see classic cars as a long term investment, like stocks and shares prices rise and fall.
If you want to sell your Classic Mini that you purchased in the last few years there is a very strong chance you are going to lose some money by selling now.
We are receiving many phone calls from people wanting to sell but their price expectations do not align with the current market pricing of these cars.
October is the start of the quiet season, Classic minis are primarily fair weath.er cars, it is a “Summer Toy” to enjoy in sunshine, rarely are these used as a daily commuting car.
So values generally soften during the autumn and winter months.
The market recently seems to prefer cars that are completely standard, these buyers are called purists. A car that is factory standard will always sell quicker than something that has been heavily modified.
Many say a thousand pounds spent modifying a classic Mini is a grand removed from its potential market value? I am not too sure on that one !
Whilst we state, along with many others, values have reduced recently, but take solace don’t all investments fluctuate over the years? We still consider a Classic Mini has always been an excellent long term investment.
Rusty, poorly repaired cars remain with little value, the time to restore a rusty car is many hours, parts are not as cheap as they were a few years ago. Do not expect much more than £1000 for a late Classic Mini that has no MOT and showing “usual mini rust” Cars that have been “resting” for decades are appealing to some, but restoration costs are often substantial. A car that has been sitting for years will traditionally have seized brakes, clutch, all hydraulic items will require replacement along with all rubber hosing.
People have wised up to what it costs to restore a car these days. Labour rates have increased in line with the cost of living.
Look at E Bay completed listings and the classic car on line auction sites, many allow you see what cars sold for in previous auctions, some of you might need a glass of wine to hand. It can be a harsh reality check!
Cars that have been subject to an insurance write off categorisation remain at 50% off retail for structural damage (CAT S or C} and 30% less for Non Structural (CAT N or D).
