My classic car services & pricing

Expert witness reporting

I work as an expert witness in legal cases involving classic cars and my reports conform to Civil Procedure Rules (part 35). A typical project would be to attend a car that is in restoration and report back on the quality of restoration services being carried. Typical issues covered include:

- Insufficient restoration work
- Substitution of parts
- Over claims of work carried out
- Poor quality restoration
- Damage to parts from poor storage

Inspection & valuation reports

Detailed inspections and reports for pre-purchase, insurance valuation or onward sale allowing you to buy or sell your vehicle with the confidence in knowing it’s true condition and value.

As an expert restorer I bring deeper knowledge than many other inspectors, giving you certainty on the correct details for manufacturing year, marque history as well as costs involved in any body work, paint, mechanical and electrical work required.

What you get
A comprehensive report with photographs of the vehicle. Reports for pre-purchase, insurance valuation or onward sale will all have a different focus with appropriate emphasis on positives or obvious flaws, mechanical, bodywork, components, interior, originality, current value or likely investment required. 

Fees
Comprehensive classic car inspections are available for a fixed fee with mileage charged by the mile (for overnight stays bespoke charges can be arranged). Most pre-purchase, insurance valuation and on-ward sale inspection reports start from £300.

For pre-purchase reports advice is given immediately after viewing and if a quick purchase is required, I can also act on your behalf in purchase negotiation.

Benefits of my reports can include
- for buyers, leverage to lower purchase cost
- for sellers, leverage to justify a higher sale cost
- accurate insurance cover
- detailed record for insurance claim in case of total loss
- accurate valuations

Recent assignments

Jaguar E-type Series 1
An inspection of a very original 3.8 Lt Jaguar. The main inspection and report was for Probate valuation. A secondary report detailed possible restoration work and associated budgets, allowing the family to decide how best to dispose of the vehicle and how to get the best sale price.

Porsche 911T
Advising the owner of a U.S. spec 1972 Porsche 911T on the best way to achieve the highest sale price in the UK. The car was in poor condition and the clients budget was limited.  I scoped out a sensitive restoration approach including the removal of U.S specification parts, a repaint and selective re-trimming to present the car at its best.

Jaguar E-type Series 1.5
A civil court case involving a poorly restored Series 1.5 Jaguar E-type. I attended the restorer’s business in the morning, inspecting the car and worked through the night on a comprehensive report showing that work that was charged for was not undertaken, parts were damaged from poor storage and the restoration work carried out was of poor quality. 

The report was presented in court the following morning and a court order for the car to be returned to the owner was achieved. A follow up report (at a more relaxed pace!) was used to support a successful claim for damages.

MGB Mk 1 Roadster
Inspecting a nice example of an early MGB and advising on originality, work required to elevate it to excellent condition and a fair market value.

Mk 2 Jaguar Coupe
A civil court case involving a poorly restored Jaguar Coupe. Extensive reporting on behalf of client regarding breach of contract by the restorer.