Classic Car Divorce Valuations – Desktop & Single Joint Expert
It is a sad fact of life in divorce that, once trust has broken down between the parties, the divorce process centres on conflict. Travelling the UK and Europe providing independent, trustworthy valuations for marital assets such as classic cars and motorcycles is a big part of my work.
As a member of the UK Register of Expert Witnesses, and having been through my own somewhat challenging divorce, I am highly familiar with the issues faced by divorcing couples and am regularly instructed by UK divorce solicitors to prepare classic car divorce valuation reports for Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) hearings. My expertise has helped countless divorcing couples to resolve their affairs and finalise divorce proceedings.
Classic Car Divorce Valuations – Inspected and Desktop Reports
In many divorce cases, time, cost, or cooperation make physical inspection difficult or impossible. In these situations, I can also prepare desktop classic car divorce valuation reports, based on documentary evidence, historical data, market research, and specialist investigation.
Desktop valuations are particularly useful where vehicles are being concealed, access is restricted, assets have been sold or devalued, or where parties need an informed, independent valuation early in proceedings. These reports are regularly used to inform negotiations, FDR hearings, and interim decision-making, and can later be supplemented by inspection if required.
I am happy to work as a sole/party expert or a Single Joint Expert (SJE). All of my in-person expert classic car divorce valuation reports conform to the Family Procedure Rules (FPR) Part 25. My divorce valuation reports have covered all sorts of vehicles including vintage and classic cars in all conditions (often modified or partly restored), racing and rally cars, motorcycles of all ages, and larger vehicles including motorhomes, tractors and commercial or military vehicles.
I am available for work across the UK and Europe and regularly act in cases where inspection is not immediately possible. I can prepare desktop valuation reports based on limited or disputed information, including cases where vehicles are hidden, access is denied, assets have been sold, or condition is misrepresented. This work often involves reconstructing value from market history, prior listings, MOT and registration data, comparable vehicles, and specialist knowledge.
Desktop valuations are also suitable for parties managing their own divorces or seeking early clarity before committing to the cost and logistics of a full inspection. I also work with Legal Aid funding.
Why use a recognised expert for Classic Car Divorce Valuations
There are many reasons to use a classic car expert valuer to value classic car marital assets as part of a divorce. Most classic cars are managed by male partners, who quite often undervalue these assets to begin with. This leads to much wasted time in court and uncertainty about what they are truly worth. The lack of trust feeds into the entire settlement discussion and leads to much higher legal bills. Using an experienced expert from the start mitigates much of this.
I have seen a wide range of valuation reports over my time and some are entirely worthless – a single page with no market comparables. My reports are lengthy and detailed. Many owners reach out to auction houses for a market value estimate and this is a major no-no. Classic cars presented at auction typically sell for much lower sums and auction estimates should not be used in divorce. As classic cars are marital assets, both parties have a say in how the assets are valued (and sold, if needs be) and the difference between bottom end auction estimates and true market values can be significant.
Men should be very aware of the advantages of using an expert to value a car. I take account of current market conditions and can also adjust for technical or condition issues. Cars in lesser condition can be valued correctly and dealer or auction commissions can also be deducted, giving an accurate net return to the parties, rather than an inflated dealer asking price, which the other side may suggest as appropriate, sometimes to damage a party’s overall credibility. Taking an expert valuation into court demonstrates your desire to settle things professionally and amicably.
Classic Car Divorce Valuations for Court
My experience as a Court Expert Witness in the classic and modern car space includes classic car valuations in all conditions, provenance and history research, finding comparables, disputes over restoration work and more. I support solicitors and counsel with specialist information and research in case preparation.
Single Joint Expert classic car divorce valuation report costs are agreed in advance and split 50/50 between the parties. Contact me to discuss your divorce case in confidence. I am also well known as a valuer of classic and vintage motorcycles and am a highly respected expert on classic Porsche cars.
Blog Posts on Classic Car Divorce Valuations
What my customers say about my online Classic Car Valuations:
john@classic-car-valuations.com
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07565 348453
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Classic Car Valuations Specialist is part of Specialist Car Valuations Limited: UK company number 07983578. Values on this site are an opinion: markets can go down as well as up.