Classic car buyer's guides
In-depth, independent guides to buying and selling the classic cars that change hands most often in North Yorkshire, from the cars we see at Mathewsons auctions and local dealers. Each guide covers what to check, what to avoid, buying at auction and how to sell. No adverts, no valuations.
New guides are added regularly.
Most common at North Yorkshire sales
Classic Mini
1959 to 2000
How to buy a classic Mini from 1959 to 2000: rust spots, A-Series and gearbox checks, versions from Mk1 to Rover Cooper, auction tips and selling advice.
MG MGB and MGB GT
1962 to 1980
How to buy or sell an MGB roadster or GT: rust areas, engine and gearbox weak points, chrome versus rubber bumper, auction tips and paperwork checks.
Morris Minor
1948 to 1971
How to buy a Morris Minor saloon, Tourer, Traveller or van: rust areas, Traveller ash frame, trunnions, A-Series engine checks, auctions and selling.
Ford Escort Mk1 and Mk2
1968 to 1980
How to buy or sell a rear-drive Ford Escort Mk1 or Mk2: rust areas, Kent and Pinto engine checks, spotting fake Mexico and RS cars, and auction tips.
Ford Capri
1969 to 1986
How to buy a Ford Capri Mk1, Mk2 or Mk3: rust areas, Pinto and V6 engine faults, key versions, fakes, auction checks and selling advice for UK buyers.
MG Midget
1961 to 1979
How to buy or sell an MG Midget from 1961 to 1979: rust areas, A-series and 1500 engine weak points, version differences, auction tips and paperwork.
Triumph TR6
1968 to 1976
How to buy a Triumph TR6: chassis rust, trailing arm mounts, diff mounts, thrust washers, PI injection, and telling a UK PI car from a converted US import.
Triumph Spitfire
1962 to 1980
Buying a Triumph Spitfire? Version differences, chassis and sill rust, trunnions, thrust washers, swing axle handling, auction tips and selling advice.
Triumph Herald
1959 to 1971
How to buy a Triumph Herald: chassis outriggers, bonnet rot, trunnions, swing axle, version differences, auction viewing checks and selling advice.
Jensen Interceptor
1966 to 1976
Buying a Jensen Interceptor? Rust areas, cooling, electrics, fuel use, versions from Mk1 to convertible, auction viewing checks and how to sell well.
Jaguar E-Type
1961 to 1975
A buying and selling summary for the Jaguar E-Type: which series to choose, rust and mechanical checks, originality, auction tips and how to sell well.
Jaguar Mk2 and Daimler 2.5 V8 / V8-250
1959 to 1969
A buying and selling summary for the Jaguar Mk2, 240, 340 and Daimler 2.5 V8: rust, XK engine, gearboxes, originality, auctions and selling.
Triumph Stag
1970 to 1977
How to buy or sell a Triumph Stag: the cold start test, cooling and timing chains, A-post and sill rust, hoods, conversions and paperwork that matters.
MG T-Series Midget (TA, TB, TC, TD, TF 1250, TF 1500)
1936 to 1955
A buying and selling summary for the MG TA, TB, TC, TD and TF from 1936 to 1955: ash frames, chassis, XPAG and XPEG engines, LHD conversions and auctions.
AC Ace and Aceca
1953 to 1963
Buying an AC Ace or Aceca? Chassis numbers, engine matching, ash frames, aluminium corrosion, provenance, auction viewing checks and how to sell one well.
More guides
Land Rover Ninety, One Ten, 127 and Defender 90, 110, 130
1983 to 2016
How to buy or sell a Land Rover 90, 110, 130 or Defender: chassis and bulkhead rust, engine checks from V8 to Puma, ex-military and identity checks, auctions.
Range Rover Classic (first generation Range Rover)
1970 to 1996
How to buy or sell a Range Rover Classic: bulkhead, chassis and tailgate rust, V8 and Tdi checks, transfer box, air suspension and early two-door originality.
Land Rover Series I, II, IIA and III
1948 to 1985
How to buy or sell a Series Land Rover: chassis and bulkhead rot, galvanic corrosion, gearbox and swivel checks, chassis numbers, rebuilt vehicles and Q plates.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1 and Mk2
1976 to 1992
How to buy or sell a Mk1 or Mk2 Golf GTI: rust areas, K-Jetronic and Digifant checks, 8v and 16v differences, Campaign identity checks and auction tips.
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and Bentley T Series
1965 to 1980
Buying a Silver Shadow or Bentley T? Rust traps, high pressure hydraulics, RR363 fluid, subframe mounts, V8 cooling, auction checks and how to sell well.
Mazda MX-5 Mk1 (NA) and Mk2 (NB), including Eunos Roadster
1989 to 2005
How to buy or sell a Mk1 or Mk2 Mazda MX-5 or Eunos Roadster: sill and chassis rail rust, early crank pulley, imports, hood, modifications and auctions.
Jaguar XK120, XK140 and XK150
1948 to 1961
How to buy and sell a Jaguar XK120, XK140 or XK150: rust and timber framing, alloy cars, matching numbers, Heritage certificates, conversions and auctions.
Porsche 911 (air-cooled)
1964 to 1998
How to buy or sell an air-cooled Porsche 911 from 1964 to 1998: rust, head studs, chain tensioners, 915 and G50 gearboxes, 964 and 993 faults, backdates.
Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
1986 to 1992
How to buy a Sierra RS Cosworth, RS500 or Sapphire: identity and replica checks, theft history, YB engine, turbo, T5 and MT75 gearboxes, rust and modifications.
Jaguar XK8 and XKR (X100)
1996 to 2006
Buying and selling the Jaguar XK8 and XKR (X100): Nikasil engines, timing chain tensioners, water pump, gearboxes, rust, hood, electrics and auctions.
MG MGA
1955 to 1962
How to buy or sell an MGA roadster or coupe: chassis and sill rust, aluminium panels, Twin Cam and De Luxe identity, US imports, engines and brakes.
Bentley Continental GT, GTC and Continental Flying Spur (first generation)
2003 to 2011
Buying and selling a first generation Bentley Continental GT, GTC or Flying Spur: air suspension, W12 coil packs, leaks, brakes, electrics, roof and history.
Rover P6 (2000, 2000 TC, 2200, 3500 and 3500S)
1963 to 1977
How to buy or sell a Rover P6 2000, 2200 or 3500: base unit rust, De Dion rear and inboard brakes, V8 and gearbox checks, Series I versus II, auction tips.
Austin Seven (Chummy, saloons, Ruby, Pearl, Opal, Nippy, Ulster, vans and specials)
1922 to 1939
How to buy and sell an Austin Seven from 1922 to 1939: chassis, crank and bearings, coupled brakes, wooden frames, body types, specials and identity checks.
Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170): SLK200, SLK200 Kompressor, SLK230 Kompressor, SLK320, SLK32 AMG
1996 to 2004
How to buy or sell a Mercedes SLK R170: Vario roof hydraulics and microswitches, wheel arch and boot lid rust, Kompressor, automatic gearbox and electrics.
Austin A30 and A35
1951 to 1968
How to buy or sell an Austin A30 or A35 saloon, Countryman, van or pick-up: rust spots, engine and gearbox checks, genuine versus converted estates, auctions.
Audi TT Mk1 (Type 8N) coupe and roadster
1998 to 2006
How to buy or sell a first-generation Audi TT: rust spots, cambelt, Haldex and DSG checks, dashpod faults, the recall, auction tips and paperwork.
Jaguar XJ6 and XJ12, Daimler Sovereign, Double-Six and Vanden Plas
1968 to 1992
How to buy or sell a Jaguar XJ6, XJ12 or Daimler: rust areas, XK six and V12 checks, Series 1 to 3 changes, the XJ-C coupe, auction tips and paperwork.
Jaguar XJ-S and XJS
1975 to 1996
How to buy or sell a Jaguar XJ-S or XJS: V12 and six-cylinder engines, rust and subframes, cabriolet and convertible checks, auctions and paperwork.
Porsche Boxster (986 and 987)
1996 to 2012
How to buy or sell a Porsche Boxster 986 or 987: IMS bearing, bore scoring, cooling, roof, Tiptronic and PDK checks, S models, auction tips and paperwork.
Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1), saloon and Karmann cabriolet
1945 to 2003
How to buy or sell an air-cooled VW Beetle, Karmann cabriolet, 1302, 1303 or Mexican car: rust areas, engine and gearbox checks, auction tips and paperwork.
BMW 3 Series (E30), including the E30 M3
1982 to 1994
How to buy or sell a BMW E30: rust spots, M10, M20 and M42 engine checks, 325i Sport and 318is, Touring and convertible, and how to verify a genuine E30 M3.
Peugeot 205 GTI
1984 to 1994
How to buy or sell a Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6 or 1.9: rust areas, engine and rear axle checks, phases, CTI and Gentry, proving a real GTI and auction tips.
Austin-Healey 100/6 and 3000
1956 to 1967
How to buy or sell a six-cylinder Big Healey: chassis and rust checks, BN4 to BJ8 differences, RHD conversions, Heritage Certificates and auction tips.
BMW Z3 roadster, coupe, M Roadster and M Coupe
1995 to 2002
How to buy or sell a BMW Z3 roadster, coupe, M Roadster or M Coupe: engines, facelift changes, diff mount and cooling checks, auction tips and paperwork.