Private Client & Collector Advisory Role

Independent valuation, acquisition and collection Services for significant specialist vehicles

I provide independent valuation and advisory services for a small number of non-UK private clients, collectors and professional advisers, providing trusted independent expertise when vehicles are being considered, acquired, retained or disposed of.

Independent advice means being prepared to recommend no purchase at all. The objective is not to complete a transaction. It is to make sure the right car is bought at the right point, on terms that still make sense after inspection, rectification and eventual resale.

For non-UK clients, I act as their representative on the ground: inspecting vehicles, meeting sellers and specialists, examining documentation, assessing provenance, condition and value, and reporting directly to the client before significant decisions are made. The purpose is straightforward: to provide experienced, independent judgement throughout the ownership and acquisition cycle, without financial interest in the transaction.

My work may include:

  • Independent valuation of significant individual vehicles and collections
  • Acquisition advice and pre-purchase assessment
  • Physical inspection on a client’s behalf
  • Assessment of provenance, specification, originality and condition
  • Independent market and value analysis before acquisition
  • Liaison with sellers, dealers, auction houses and specialists
  • Negotiation and acquisition support where appropriate
  • Collection reviews and updated asset schedules
  • Agreed-value insurance for significant vehicles
  • Advice around disposal and collection restructuring
  • Probate, succession and estate-planning valuations

Assignments range from a single significant acquisition to an ongoing advisory relationship across a collection.

Retained Expertise across the Acquisition Cycle

For some clients, the most useful arrangement is not a series of isolated valuation instructions but an ongoing relationship. Over time, I become familiar with the collection, the client’s interests, standards and preferences, and the types of vehicles they are seeking. When an opportunity arises, I can assess it independently and, where appropriate, inspect the vehicle and deal directly with the parties involved.

This is particularly useful for international clients who require a trusted representative in the UK. The relationship removes the need to find and brief a different specialist for each transaction. The client has direct access to someone who already understands what they own, what they are looking for and the standard they expect. I do not act as a vehicle dealer and do not receive commissions from sellers. My responsibility is to my client.

Why independent judgement matters

The assessment of a significant vehicle cannot always be reduced to model, year and recent auction results. Seemingly small differences in provenance, specification, originality, restoration quality, mileage, condition and market history can affect both value and whether a particular vehicle is worth acquiring.

Market information is easy to obtain. Determining what that information means in relation to a particular vehicle requires judgement. Depending on the assignment, my work may include physical inspection, examination of supporting records, analysis of comparable vehicles, consideration of international markets and direct discussion with relevant specialists.

Experience

I have more than 30 years’ experience in specialist vehicle valuation, including ten years with Glass’s Guide, where I was Editor of the Guide to Older Cars and Modern Classics. I regularly value significant Ferrari, Porsche and other specialist vehicles for private clients, insurers, lenders and legal professionals.

I also act as an independent expert witness in substantial civil, matrimonial and criminal matters. That work requires valuation opinions to be evidence-led, clearly reasoned and capable of withstanding professional and legal scrutiny.

Every assignment is undertaken personally. Valuation opinions are not delegated, outsourced or generated by an automated valuation system. Private client instructions are handled personally and confidentially. Information concerning ownership, location, security, collection composition, proposed acquisitions and asset values is treated with appropriate discretion.

Where appropriate, I work directly with clients’ existing support staff and professional networks including solicitors, accountants, trustees and family offices.

I am available for in-person meetings and happy to travel; travel in the UK and Europe tends to be part of the role.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I commission a bespoke classic car agreed market valuation report for insurance?

Classic cars valued in-house by insurers are typically valued at average market prices, which are often too low for special examples. For rarer models, low mileage, in excellent restored condition, significantly and tastefully modified etc, owners should always commission a bespoke expert online agreed value classic car market valuation report. They are the ONLY way to ensure that your vehicle's unique qualities are fully appreciated and properly insured against total loss. Why lose thousands of pounds?

Why do classic car owners choose your Classic Car Agreed Value service?

I am the only independent online classic car and motorcycle valuer approved by insurers including Adrian Flux, Footman James, Classicline, Performance Direct, Sterling Insurance, Lockton Performance, Bikesure and REIS Motorsport Insurance. With over thirty years of professional independent valuation experience, including ten years as the Editor of Glass's Guide to Older Cars and Modern Classics and many years serving the courts as an Expert Witness, I am the classic car valuations expert that insurers, lenders and solicitors come to for specialist valuation advice and support.

My individual agreed valuation reports are an industry benchmark. Each report is valid for two years and I support my insurance valuation reports against queries as part of the price. Most clients have been with me for years and appreciate my personal attention to their beloved cars. We handle renewals as part of a private client service.

How do your valuations compare with Owner's Club valuations?

Owner's Club valuations may be the least consistent form of classic car valuation. A club valuer can be an enthusiast for one model and badly informed for all others - particularly when cars have been modified. Club valuations are rarely in tune with an expert independent valuer. We will happily 'sense-check' your club valuation free of charge before you order a valuation.

What do your agreed Insurance Valuation reports include?

My bespoke online classic car agreed value reports are valid for two years and account for your vehicle's history, specification including any modifications and current condition. All my agreed insurance valuation reports are researched and created by a human valuer - not a computer or AI data scraping - and include:

  • A VDI Car Check detailing any previous history of theft, insurance damage, mileage and MOT history
  • My detailed overview of current classic car market trends
  • Model-specific history and points of note
  • Details of the subject vehicle and its provenance
  • A look at market activity and prices for similarly unique vehicles in context
  • A bespoke market valuation based on your car’s unique features and market appeal
Do you value at the full cost to recreate or restore a project?

It is important to note that insurers cover for market value and not the full cost to recreate the vehicle from scratch. I am therefore required not to value at the full rebuild cost but it really depends on the car. Special cars tend to value at the high end of available data or I might take a view based on class-leading examples if no data is available. The aim is to be reliable and keep any later queries to a minimum.

How much do online agreed insurance valuation reports cost?

My bespoke and highly detailed independent classic car valuation reports for agreed insurance purposes are valid for two years, not one as with insurance company valuations. The cost depends on the estimated value of your vehicle. Prices start from £75 plus VAT.

Contact me with any questions. Please see my other forms for probate valuations and HMRC import and tax valuations.

What vehicles do you value?

I have provided valuation reports for everything from pre-war vintage Rolls Royces to motorhomes, motorcycles, tractors and the very latest supercars in need of agreed insurance valuations. Rare or modified cars sometimes take slightly longer, as more research is involved.

Where does your information come from?

I use a wide range of sources when researching valuations. The results are weighted depending on the source and the purpose of the valuation. There is also an element of adjustment when observations are drawn for vehicles with differing mileages, conditions etc. Reports explain any weighting.

Do you value cars in person?

I inspect many vehicles every year for valuation purposes. From my base in the centre of England, I have travelled all over the UK and Europe looking at cars, including Germany and Italy in 2024. It is not always necessary to inspect vehicles in person - I recently used a video call to inspect a classic Land Rover in Mallorca for a divorce valuation.

Are your online valuations suitable for court use including divorce?

Expert valuation reports for use in court must conform to a set format and carry very specific declarations. As the expert serves the court, the reports involve detailed research following inspection in person, so the online service may not be suitable.

That said, as the same experience and skillset goes into all of my reports, my online market valuations tend to be accepted in the pre-court stages of divorce negotiations, such as mediation and financial remedy discussions. However, should your situation go all the way to court, the court will usually require that a valuation report completed to Family Procedure Rules Part 25 be provided. If you start with one of my online valuations, I cannot work as a Single Joint Expert in your case as we will have a pre-existing relationship.

How do you use and protect my data?

All data is confidential: Specialist Car Valuations is ICO registered and will never share your details. We use your information solely for valuation. See our privacy policy.

Do I have to be a classic car club member to use your service?

You do not need to be a club member to use my unique online service. An in-house condition report form from your insurers is not required with my signed valuations.

What my customers say about my online Classic Car Valuations:

"Hi John, thank you for your report and prompt attention, very thorough and appreciate your good service."

David in Cornwall - restored and upgraded Honda RC30 Insurance Value

"Hi John, thank you for the amended valuation. The valuation made interesting reading and certainly had more content than I was expecting. It is impressive how quickly you got it done for me."

Richard in Harrogate - restored Volvo T5R Insurance Value

"Hi John, Your valuation report is truly a work of art, and I feel that the vehicle deserves a throne rather than a garage. I’m thinking of actually framing the valuation to hang proudly on my wall! 

Thank you for your comprehensive scripture. It is interesting to hear the view of a vehicle specialist, and to see some examples of recent sold listings. It will give me great pleasure to submit your report to Adrian Flux this evening!"

Neil in Doncaster - concours Mk2 Ford Escort RS2000 restoration

"John, thank you for the report. It's perfect."

Ian in Sussex - low mileage Mk2 Ford Fiesta Ghia insurance valuation

"Dear John, we both really enjoyed reading this document. Thank you for your care, expertise, and research that evidently went into this report. We’re in touch with a customs agent  and will let you know how it goes with HMRC"

Johannes in Cambridge - 2013 Renault Clio Import Valuation for HMRC

"Dear John, Thank you so much for travelling all the way to see us, we really appreciate it. It was so nice meeting you! We already feel a lot better now that we’ve found you. We honestly thought a car evaluation would be a simple task, but it turned out to be more complicated than we expected. Thank you for all your suggestions and recommendations, we truly appreciate them and will definitely look into each one and hopefully we will find a garage capable/willing to do it!"

Antonia in Sheffield - 2017 Jeep Import Valuation for HMRC

"Dear John, Thank you so much for the attached valuation and recommended insurance valuation with which I am entirely content. The bespoke valuation makes fascinating reading; incredibly thorough with great and highly relevant attention to detail. Your knowledge and experience is greatly appreciated and valued."

Nigel in Shoreham - 1999 BMW E36 M3 Coupe insurance valuation

"Hi John, I just wanted to thank you for your help with your valuation and research for my Terrot Velomoteur. I have just received my DVLA registration number for it."

Martin in Swindon - 1931 Terrot 100 VM HMRC valuation

"Hello John, Thank you for your valuation of my MGA. I submitted it to the insurance broker and it was accepted, so their valuation of £23,000 was increased in line with your valuation of £28,000."

Tim in Ludlow - 1958 MGA insurance valuation

"Hi John, Thank you so much! So much more detailed than expected - this is brilliant. I will speak to the family and see what they think and want to do."

Sam in Bognor Regis - Series 1 Land Rover 86-inch market value report

"Hi John, Thank you very much for sending the reports so quickly. They are excellent; detailed and accurate, with plenty of supporting information. You have made this valuation process much easier than I expected, so many thanks for your helpful, professional service."

David in Basingstoke - Triumph & Kawasaki HMRC Import Valuations

"Thanks John for your very swift response and valuation which has been forwarded to Arian Flux. We appreciate your swift and expert service and you will be our first port of call if needed in the future."

Eric in Norfolk - low mileage Mk1 Land Rover Feeelander insurance valuation

"Thank you for such an incredibly rapid service and I was delighted with such a detailed and expert report, which my insurers accepted without question. I would certainly recommend your service without hesitation and will be singing your praises whilst on the impending show circuit."

Chris in Kent - Cosworth-powered Ford Escort Mk2

"Many thanks indeed for your prompt service, it’s a very complete and professional report, I found it to be a very interesting and enjoyable read ! Thank you for a job well done and I would have no hesitation in recommending your excellent service!"

Simon in Colwyn Bay - Mercedes 300SL Probate Valuation

"Thank you very much John for your report and valuation. It has taken some time to go through and it is very interesting reading - much more comprehensive and detailed than I was expecting and a very satisfactory valuation."

John in Sussex - Saab 900 T16S Insurance Valuation

"Afternoon John, I have gone through your report again this afternoon and have concluded that this car is not for me. I will keep looking. I am impressed with your detail in what you call a small report. Excellent!"

JJ in Leeds - Datsun 240Z pre-purchase inspection

"John, this is great. Thanks very much, I really appreciate your work. I’ll be back in touch with you probably once it’s at the state I wish to keep it in. Best wishes."

Boglarka - Bristol - Series Land Rover Overlander insurance valuation

"Hi John, many thanks for your well-researched and sensible valuation. This has been submitted and accepted by HMRC. Will keep in touch!"

Andrew in Market Harborough - Classic Pontiac Import Valuation

"Hi John, Thank you very much indeed. This is perfect, and exactly what I was looking for. I really appreciate your time and insight, and this will be very helpful indeed with the insurance company."

Stephen - Isle of Man - Mk1 Mini Cooper S insurance valuation

"Hi John. Many thanks for the valuation of my Morgan Plus 4, an excellent prepared report, great detail and a very professional job.

David in York - 1993 Morgan Plus 4 4-seater insurance valuation

"Dear John, thank you for sending this on. The insurance valuation makes me feel that perhaps in my car buying experience over the years I might just have bought it right. I really do appreciate your input into the whole experience and it has made my wife and I feel very happy about our latest car purchase."

Chris in Dorset - Porsche 993 Cabriolet inspection, purchase support and insurance valuation

"Hi John, Thank you for the insurance valuation on my E Type. I must say it is very rare these days that a service is provided with such speed and so comprehensively. I can’t think of a better £80 that I have spent in a long long time. Your help and assistance is really appreciated."

Paul  in Warwickshire - Series 1 E Type OTS insurance valuation

"Hi John, Thank you for your excellent and comprehensive valuation report for my car. A great service provided by yourself and also a very quick response to my initial enquiry. I have forwarded it on to Adrian Flux for them to increase their much lower valuation. I will certainly endorse and recommend your service to other like minded classic enthusiasts going forward."

Roy in Carlisle - MG RV8 insurance valuation

"Hello John, Many thanks for the speedy reply and valuation. I have never used a service like this before and I am very impressed with your detailed report and overall service. I’ll certainly be back when I need another/update and I’ll recommend you where I can. Have a great day."

Andy in Wales - Aston Martin DB9 insurance valuation

"Thank you John so much for your kind attention to my valuation. Wonderful service all round."

Shirley in Brighton - 1963 Wood and Pickett Morris Mini Minor insurance valuation

"Hi John, very many thanks for your report. It makes very interesting reading and it is pleasing to note you consider the car is still in the bracket of a desirable acquisition and as such have increased the replacement cost. I’ve no current intention to sell but it’s always good to know my small collection is not likely to lose huge sums overnight."

Simon in Warrington - bespoke classic Porsche insurance valuation

"Hi John, my insurance company accepted your valuation and amended my policy to suit. The information provided and the way the valuation was composed was in my, and my family’s opinion truly excellent and professional. I would not hesitate to recommend your services to anyone in the future should the need arise."

Simon in Essex - Classic Triumph Insurance Valuation

"Hi John, Thank you for your efforts in providing this valuation! I'm sure my grandad will be thrilled. I shall forward it onto him and advise him with regards notifying his insurance company. Again, can't thank you enough and shan't hesitate to employ your services again in future!"

Oli in Manchester - Riley Special Agreed Insurance Valuation

"Hi John, Thank you so much for your kind words and honest evaluation. I think your valuation and the accompanying justification are more than fair, derived in a very logical and professional way and shown in an easy to read format. If I can provide a reference or a review for your services please let me know as I would be more than happy to do this."

David in Switzerland - HMRC NOVA Valuation - Classic Motorcycle

"John, many thanks for all your help. I am especially grateful for how quickly you have done this valuation. I’m really happy with your valuation and glad that you have appreciated the work that has gone into creating this car. I will not hesitate to recommend your services."

Matt in Birmingham - Agreed Insurance Valuation - Frontline MGB GT

"Hi John, I can now understand why my insurance company recommended you to carry out an assessment of the value of my vehicle. You have done a splendid job, I am very impressed with the detail which you have included and you display an in-depth knowledge of the market. Please accept my grateful thanks for your efforts on my behalf and you can be sure that whenever the opportunity arises I will recommend your services."

Dave in Reading - Classic Ferrari 355 Insurance Valuation

Hi John, Many thanks for getting this back so quickly. Your market commentary is encouraging and I am very happy with the figure. I will send it over to the insurer and ask them to amend the agreed value accordingly.

Nick in Manchester - Agreed Insurance Valuation

"John, this is incredibly helpful, and I can see how much work you have put into it. I am enormously grateful - thank you so much - and Dad will be delighted, I'm sure."

Karen in Ipswich - Agreed Insurance Valuations on unique Jaguar conversions

"John, thank you for the excellent valuation report, most enlightening, particularly the points about the macro economics and how that influences the market demand. We will be in touch when the need arises to revalue our other classics."

John in Bristol - Agreed Insurance Valuation - Morgan 35th Anniversary

"Hi John, Many thanks for your condolences and for the speedy response. The valuation is just what we need as we go through the probate process. The report is very thorough and clear. Thanks again."

Jane in Slough - Probate Valuation - Rover Mini Mayfair

Hi John, I just wanted to give you an update on the car. I listed it for sale on Friday - for £78k to test the waters - and have accepted an offer for £75k, deposit paid, just subject to viewing. I had 3 very serious enquiries within 48hrs, one from Australia. Seems your fantastic insights were spot on - black 911s are very desirable. So just wanted to say thank you.

Simon in London: Porsche 964 market valuation (to sell quickly)

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