Collectible car market 2025: remarkable deals and sharp declines

The collectible car market this year is full of contrasts – record-breaking sales are accompanied by significant declines. Valued at €800 billion, the market remains highly active: in 2024 alone, nearly 57,000 cars were sold for more than €3.39 billion. Interestingly, despite this level of activity, the average sale price dropped by 13% to €59,800.

A few weeks ago, Sjoerd Peereboom, founder of ClassicCarRatings, specializing in collectible car valuations and market analysis, visited Lithuania for a Commody community event for collectors and investors. He shared insights into global collectible car market trends.

Record-breaking sales and shifting values

According to ClassicCarRatings, the value of the ten most expensive collectible cars sold this year has already increased by more than 56% compared to 2024. Some standout transactions contributed to this growth, both happened at RM Sotheby’s auctions:

• A Mercedes-Benz W196R, built for the 1954–1955 Formula 1 seasons, sold for €51 million.

• A 1965 Ferrari 250 LM fetched nearly €35 million.

Other strong performers included the Ferrari 550 Maranello (+24.3%), Porsche 911 997 Coupe GTS (+20.9%), Datsun 240Z Series I (+19.1%), and Porsche 911 (997.2) GT3 (+18.6%).

Not every car rewarded its owners, though. Significant declines were recorded for the Porsche 991.1 Targa 4S (–21%), Porsche 997.1 Coupe 4S (–19.2%), and the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso (-18,7%).

“The value of a collectible car depends on provenance and history. If a car once belonged to a famous personality, its value skyrockets. Moreover, the most serious investors are now looking for cars with less than 100 km on the clock, as this can increase value by 30–50% or even more,” explains Peereboom.

US caution, UK decline

The United States remains the world’s largest collectible car market, but it is currently showing signs of slowdown. Investors are treating it as uncertain, closely watching potential tariff changes and currency fluctuations that could strongly impact exports.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has seen around a 48% depreciation since Brexit. Import duties have significantly widened the gap between UK and European prices.

“If you buy a car in the UK now and want to bring it into Europe, you’ll have to pay an average of 30% in import duties. As a result, the UK market has experienced a major decline,” says Peereboom.

By contrast, the European Union market remains relatively stable. Still, the way cars are being bought and sold is changing fast: 71% of transactions are now happening online, while traditional physical auctions account for less than one-third of sales.

A collectible car is more than just an investment

For Vilius Oškeliūnas, co-founder of Commody, these dynamics highlight that collecting is about far more than numbers.

“Traditionally, this world was accessible only to a narrow circle of wealthy individuals. We want to change that by opening the doors of car collecting to all enthusiasts, even those with smaller budgets. Commody offers the chance to become a co-owner of a real collectible car from just €25 – sign up and start building your dream garage,” he says.

About ClassicCarRatings
ClassicCarRatings is a data-driven platform that provides independent valuation insights and market trend analysis for collectible cars. By consolidating auction results, sales data, and historical performance, it helps investors, insurers, and industry professionals assess asset values, monitor market dynamics, and make informed investment decisions in the collectible car sector. For more information, visit: classiccarratings.com