Buying a classic car

For many, a lifelong dream: owning a classic car. To find that one specific model at the right price, many people look abroad. And with good reason: importing a classic car from abroad can certainly be worthwhile.

Importing a classic car from outside Europe

Are you planning to buy a classic car in America or elsewhere in the world? If your dream classic car originally comes from America, the advantages in terms of price and availability quickly become clear during your search:

The market in the USA is huge thanks to the large market and rich automotive history.
You will find models or versions that are hard to find or even unavailable in Europe.
Due to the warmer climate in some states, vehicles are often in relatively good condition with less rust.

If you are just starting your search, the following websites have a large selection and are good places to start:

Importing a Classic Car from Europe

Europe also has a rich collection of classic models for sale. Often, you will find the greatest availability at the best prices in the country of origin of your favorite brand. But even in countries with large populations like Germany, France, or Italy, you will be amazed by the large selection. When importing a classic car from a country within Europe:

The selection across Europe is much larger than in your own country.
You do not pay import duties and VAT when you buy a classic car from another EU country.
Classics from warmer countries often have less rust.

Avoid a bad purchase: Pre-Purchase inspection on location

Most people do not buy a car without seeing it, but unfortunately, it is not always feasible for everyone to travel to the country of origin to check it out in person. Especially with classic cars, due to their age and potential hidden defects, it is crucial to be thorough. Are you buying a classic car from an unfamiliar seller? SCL Rotterdam has a specialized network of technicians in several countries who can inspect a vehicle. This is usually possible within 72 hours! What do you get with this pre-purchase inspection?

A comprehensive photo report (approx. 50 photos) of the car and any damages or defects.
A detailed inspection report of about 12 pages.
The car is thoroughly inspected for damage.
The technical condition is checked and extensively described in the report.
The inspector drives (if possible) a short distance with the car to check if everything works properly.

The quality of classic cars for sale internationally varies greatly, and defects are often not visible in photos. A thorough pre-purchase inspection not only prevents disappointment but also provides a stronger negotiating position. In most cases, the inspection pays for itself immediately!

Currently, SCL Rotterdam has contracts with inspectors throughout the United States. If you have your eye on a car in another country and would like it inspected as well, please contact one of our experts, and we will be happy to explore the possibilities for inspecting your dream car!

SCL Rotterdam can arrange a safe payment

Thanks to the internet, it has become easy to buy cars or motorcycles abroad. However, paying for a purchase remotely often remains a challenging issue. You often deal with an unknown seller and are not always able to travel abroad to complete the transaction in person. The payment process can also take a lot of time. Do you want to ensure that the purchase goes smoothly? In the USA, SCL Rotterdam offers a payment service. Buying a car has never been easier!

Transfer the Money The first step is to transfer the money to an escrow account of our partner, who will make the payment on site for you.
Pre-Payment Check Before your car is paid for, a thorough background check is done. This will check whether the vehicle is registered as stolen, whether the correct vehicle documentation is present, and whether the owner has fully paid off the car.
Payment and Pick-Up of the Car Once the pre-payment check is completed, the car will be paid for and picked up. Just before picking up the car, the money is transferred to the seller. As soon as the money is received by the seller, we immediately load the car onto the trailer. This way, we avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure that you do not pay in vain!

Never just transfer money to a foreign party if you are not sure of your case, and never use 'anonymous' payment methods such as Western Union. The Secure Payment Service from SCL Rotterdam protects against potential international fraud and ensures a safe transaction.

SCL Rotterdam does not have the ability to offer this payment service worldwide. Would you like to know if we can help with paying for your car? Request a free, no-obligation quote to know exactly what to expect. Prefer to receive more information first? We are available every working day from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Call +31 (0)10 427 7723 or email sales@sclrotterdam.com. We are happy to assist you.