How to buy a collector car you've never seen in person
Drive Anything · October 13, 2026
A lot of the cars we sell end up hundreds or thousands of miles from our Ivyland, PA showroom. Buying that way is completely normal now, but it only feels safe when you know exactly what you're getting. This is the checklist we'd use ourselves.
1. Ask for a real walk-around video
Photos show a car at its best angle. A video shows everything in between. Ask for a slow walk-around in daylight, close-ups of the wheels and lower panels, the interior, the engine bay, and a cold start. A seller who's proud of a car is happy to film it, and to answer follow-up questions on a live video call.
2. Read the history before you fall in love
Pull a vehicle history report (we link a CARFAX report on our listings) and check it against what the seller tells you: owners, mileage readings, title status and any reported damage. Then ask for service records. A thick folder of receipts from known specialists is worth a lot on a performance car.
3. Get an independent inspection
For anything special, a pre-purchase inspection by an independent shop near the car is money well spent. Ask them to check for paint depth differences, fluid leaks, brake and tire wear, and any stored fault codes. On cars like 911s and GT cars, use a shop that knows the model.
4. Match the VIN to everything
The VIN on the car, the title, the history report and the service records should all agree. It's a two-minute check that catches most problems before they become yours.
5. Agree on payment and paperwork up front
Know exactly how funds move, when the title is released, and who handles registration paperwork for your state. Wire transfers are standard for collector cars; just confirm the bank details by phone with someone you know before you send anything.
6. Choose the right transport
Open transport is cheaper and fine for many cars. For low, valuable or freshly detailed cars, enclosed transport is worth the difference. Ask for the carrier's insurance details and a delivery window, and check the car carefully against the photos when it arrives.
"It was my first time purchasing a car without being able to see it in person and Brett made this process easy." Michael Monico, Google review
How we handle it
Every car we list gets a pre-sale check, a full photo set and a walk-around video on request, and we're happy to help arrange shipping anywhere in the country. If you'd rather see it in person, the showroom is open by appointment.
Browse the cars in the showroom or tell us what you're looking for.
