Classic car prices slightly on the rise

Classic car prices in Germany slightly rose in 2024. The German Classic Car Index (DOX), published annually by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), reached a score of 2,985 as of January 1, 2025. This represents an increase of 1.85% over the previous year. It was thus once again below the inflation rate.

The DOX index is designed to provide a trend indicator for the value development of classic cars in Germany. The vehicle values are determined by the valuation specialist classic-analytics. The selection of 88 vehicles is a representative sample. New vehicles over 30 years old are regularly included. Vehicles that are traded at particularly high prices due to their rarity or history are not taken into account. The DOX index has been calculated since 1999. Based on a base value of 1,000 points, a 198% increase in value has been recorded in Germany since then.

To mark the 25th anniversary of the DOX, the VDA examined and evaluated the index over three observation periods.

2024: Classic car prices slightly rose

As of January 1, 2025, the DOX appears stable and resilient: In 2024, prices increased by an average of 1.85% compared to the previous year. The top 10 vehicles performed significantly, with an average increase of 18.5%, while the ten vehicles with the worst performance saw their prices decrease by an average of 4.4%.

A look at the top 10 reveals the disproportionate share of foreign-made vehicles. One reason for this is the stable, high-quality development of German vehicles. In contrast, foreign vehicles are rarely traded and often not as highly priced, potentially making them more attractive and accessible.

The top 10 includes six foreign vehicles. The Matra Bagheera from France stands out with a 98.6% increase in sales, despite its low volume and popularity, followed by the Ford Taunus 20M (23.8%), the Renault R4 GTL (12%), the Opel Rekord C 1700 with 11.4%, and the Ford Capri I 2000 GT (11.1%). The Toyota MR-2 ranks sixth with 9.2%, followed by the VW W181 Kübel (6.9%), the Buick Riviera (4.9%), the Ferrari 328 GTS (3.7%), and the Triumph Spitfire 1500 (3.6%).

The ten vehicles with the lowest value changes are led by the BMW 2002 (–9.1%), followed by the VW Beetle 1303 (–6.5%), the new BMW class (–6.1%), the VW-Porsche 914 2.0 (–5.4%), and the Porsche 356 1600 SC (–4.8%). With the exception of the Opel Admiral 2800 (–1.7%), classic cars manufactured abroad experienced less severe wear: the MGB MK III (UK, –4.6%), the Austin Healey MK III (UK, –3.1%), the Ford Thunderbird Cabriolet (USA, –2%), and the Chevrolet Corvette (USA, –0.7%).

2019 until 2024: DOX increased by 21.7%

Over the past five years, marked by the coronavirus pandemic and inflation, the value of all vehicles has increased by 21.7%, roughly in line with inflation. The top 10 vehicles have increased by an average of 84.2%, while the ten vehicles with the worst performance have seen their prices decrease by an average of 5.7%.

The top 10 includes well-known candidates such as the Ford Capri 2000 GT (+122.2%), the Matra Bagheera (+98.6%), the Volkswagen K70 L (+92.7%) and Passat I LS (+92.7%), as well as the Ford 20 M (+85.7%). They are followed by the VW 412 L (+76.5%), the Trabant P 601 (+75%), the Mercedes W123 300 D (+73.5%), the Opel Rekord C 1700 (+62.5%), and the Toyota MR-2 (+62.5%) from Japanese production.

The 10 vehicles with the lowest value development over the five-year period are the Porsche 356 1600 C Coupé (–11.1%), the BMW 3.0 CSI (also –11.1%), the Austin Healey 3000 MK III (–7%), the Jaguar XJ 6 4.2 (–5.6%), and the Fiat 500 F (–5.6%). They are followed by the VW-Porsche 914 2.0 (–5.4%), the Jaguar E-Type V12 S3 Cabriolet (–4.3%), the Buick Riviera (–3.5%), the Ford Thunderbird Cabriolet (–2%), and the Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV (–1.3%).

Special evaluation for the 25th anniversary: The DOX development between 1999 and 2024

Since the DOX was first compiled, the market has developed very significantly. Starting with low attention and valuation, strong relative increases have been measured. The index has increased by an average of around 5.6% annually.

The top 10 vehicles over this 25-year period are understandably different from those in other periods. They have increased by 8.2%, significantly more than the worst-performing vehicles, which achieved an annual increase of 2.1% over this period.
The top 10 is led by the BMW 3 Series (E21, 320/6) with an increase of 691%. This is followed by the Mercedes W198 300 SL Coupé (+689.5%) and the Volkswagen models VW Bus T2 (+687.5%) and Beetle 1300 (681%). Behind them: the Mercedes W123 300 D (672.7%), the Ford Escort 1100 S (580%), the Citroen 2 CV (575%), the VW 412 L (552.2%), the Ford Capri 2000 GT (545.2%) and the BMW 735i (E23), which increased by 527.6%.

The ten vehicles with the lowest value performance during the period under review are led by the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow I with 51.7%. It is followed by the open vehicles Austin Healey 3000 MK III (52.7%), Ford Thunderbird (56.3%), MGB MK III (57.1%), and Triumph TR6 (US version, 65.5%). They are followed by the Volvo P544 (71.7%), the Buick Riviera (72.8%), and three other open models: the Fiat 124 Sport Spider (75.8%), the Mazda MX5 (91.5%), and the Cadillac Eldorado (100%).

The DOX is dominated by vehicles that don't achieve record prices at auctions. Nevertheless, their value increases are often impressive, at least in percentage terms. However, when measured against the costs like insurance, storage, maintenance, or restoration, the increase is significantly put into perspective.

According to classic-analytics, the current market situation appears stable. It should be noted that valuation changes can only be used as a guide. The influence of the number of vehicles traded for a particular model and its relationship to long-term price trends are key factors. A slight price erosion following disproportionate growth is understandable and does not automatically represent a trend.

What is crucial is a differentiated view and assessment of the vehicle's condition by an expert on the one hand and the buyer on the other, to whom the model represents the corresponding value.

A graphic is attached to this press release, which you are welcome to use in the context of editorial reporting on the DOX.