Evaluation Info
Numerous questions are raised when trying to evaluate vintage, collector, specialty and late-model vehicles. The concerns range from the qualifications, reputation and experience of the appraiser, to the process used for determining the actual value and particular type of value you may require. Estate values, loan values, wholesale disposal values and insurance values, fair market replacement and/or actual cash resale values are but a few and are all different depending upon the circumstances.
C/S Automotive Appraisal Services is qualified in all the above-noted requirements and more. Over 36 years experience in the local British Columbia marketplace and exposure to international automotive markets, has given us the knowledge and experience to assess your vehicle with the accuracy and efficiency that has satisfied literally thousands of investors and collectors as well as numerous insurance companies, legal firms, government agencies, banks and private buyers and sellers throughout the years.
C/S Automotive Appraisal Services conforms to a condition evaluation, which consists of a 6 position rating system such as contained within this report. This system has been derived from some of the most recognized rating systems seen throughout North America. These systems are used extensively by premier auction houses, dealers of fine collectable vehicles and private buyers and sellers everywhere.
Many price guides using similar rating systems do not necessarily agree upon values attached to the various ratings. In many cases, the “book” values can be much higher or lower than the actual current market activity, the values stated may also be somewhat outdated as well. Remember, they are mere “guides” and will only help you find the ballpark values – a qualified and experienced appraiser is still your best assurance of an appropriate value for your vehicle. The rating system contained within this report will help you understand the rating scale and assist you in understanding the assessment of your vehicle.
The appraisal business is very much a hands-on type business, meaning that if a vehicle requires an appraisal for any particular reason, the appraiser “must” see the vehicle in-person to determine the exact condition it represents. Without this personal inspection, it is near impossible to determine the vehicle’s condition by previewing pictures sent over the internet. This type of appraisal service offers no real value for the car owner as most all insurance companies providing “Classic or Specialty” vehicle coverage will not accept these types of reports.
At C/S Automotive Appraisal Services, we inspect “all” vehicles personally as there is no other way to protect our reputation or to provide our clients with a high-quality report that would be accepted by insurance companies, law firms, auction houses, vehicle import/exporters, car collectors, buyers & sellers.
Questions to Consider When Shopping for an Appraiser
Are you going to receive a quality report? Is it a professional-looking report that looks presentable with “real” content? You should be asking any potential appraiser that you may consider using to provide you with an email sample of a completed report for you to review.
If they are reluctant to do so then you may want to ask yourself why they would not be willing to show off the quality of their work. If they provide something that appears to have been created in a word document format, something that anyone could create within a couple of hours typing using underlined & bold lettering, ask yourself, how professional will that report look to an insurance company, a lawyer, or a potential buyer for your car? You may want to consider something better for the money you are about to spend.
At C/S Automotive Appraisal Services, we have invested a lot into an actual appraisal program that no other company in North America has even considered doing. We have raised the bar with regard to quality reports second to none in the appraisal industry. That is why we provide you with a sample of our high-quality report on our website.
Sample Appraisal
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Vehicle Rating
Restored to maximum professional standards of quality in every area, or a perfect original with components operating and appearing as new. These could be considered the very best in the world, a concourse type restoration. A 95-plus point car that is rarely driven if at all. In a national show judging, a #1 car is likely to win top honours in its class.
A well restored, or a combination of superior restoration and excellent original. Also, an extremely well-maintained original showing very minimal wear. Except for the very closest inspection, a #2 vehicle may appear as a #1 vehicle. The #2 vehicle may take top awards in many judged shows except when matched against a #1example in the same class. They can be former #1 cars that have been driven or have slightly aged. Only upon close inspection would a seasoned observer be able to notice flaws not noticed by the general public. The paint, chrome, glass & interior will appear excellent.
A combination of well-done restoration and very good original operable components; or a partially restored car with all excellent quality original and/or NOS or new reproduction parts is required to complete it. May include fresh paint, new interior & recent mechanical work. Also, a very good quality amateur restoration all presentable & serviceable throughout. Not used for daily transportation but are ready for a long tour without excuses.
Completely operable original or “older restoration” showing wear. A drivable vehicle needing no or only minor work to be functional. Also, a deteriorating restoration or a poor amateur restoration. All components may need restoration to be very good or excellent but the vehicle is mostly usable “as is”. This is a driver and/or may be in the process of restoration.
Needs complete restoration of body, chassis, powertrain and interior. May or may not be running, may be weathered but not wrecked and/or stripped to the point of being used only for parts. This car needs everything. It may not be operable, but is essentially all there and has only minor rust and/or damage to repair.
May or may not be running but is weathered, wrecked and/or stripped to the point of being useful primarily for parts. This is an incomplete or greatly deteriorated, perhaps rusty vehicle that has value only as a parts donor for other restoration projects.