Classic Car Restoration Cost: What Drives the Price

Written by Petro Olekhnovych, mobile mechanic in Aylesham, Kent

Classic car restoration cost depends mostly on four things: the condition of the car, how easy parts are to find, how original you want it to be, and how many hours of labour it takes. Two cars of the same model can cost very different amounts to restore. The only honest way to price one is to inspect it and plan the work in stages.

Why there is no standard price

Restoration is not one job. It is a long list of jobs, and most of them cannot be seen until the car is stripped. A car that looks tidy can hide worn parts, seized components or past repairs that need redoing.

That is why you should be wary of anyone who gives a firm figure for a whole restoration without seeing the car. A better approach is to inspect it, list what is known, and agree each stage as it is uncovered.

Factor 1: the condition of the car

Condition is the biggest variable. A car that has been used and maintained needs far less than one that has stood for years.

A car that has been laid up may need every system checked before it can run safely: fuel, cooling, brakes, ignition and lubrication. That is recommissioning, and it is often the first stage of any restoration. Our post on recommissioning classic cars explains what is involved.

If you have not bought the car yet, a careful inspection before you pay is the cheapest way to control the final cost. Our classic car buying checklist covers what to look at.

Bodywork, welding and paint are a separate area of work. We do not offer those, so get them assessed by a body specialist. On many cars they are a large unknown, so it pays to know what the shell needs early.

Factor 2: parts availability

Some classics have strong club and specialist support, with new parts still made. Others need parts found second hand, reconditioned or made to order.

Parts availability affects cost in two ways. The parts themselves cost more when they are scarce. Labour goes up too, because time is spent finding, cleaning or repairing parts rather than fitting new ones.

Before you commit, talk to the owners’ club for your model. They usually know which parts are easy to get and which are hard.

Factor 3: originality and the paperwork

How original you want the car to be changes both the parts list and the hours. Using correct period parts often costs more and takes longer than fitting modern equivalents. Modern upgrades can also add cost, and they can have legal effects.

Originality matters for MOT exemption. GOV.UK says a vehicle built or first registered more than 40 years ago does not need an MOT, as long as no substantial changes have been made in the last 30 years. It gives replacing the chassis, body, axles or engine to change how the vehicle works as an example of a substantial change. You must still keep the car roadworthy.

Major parts also affect the registration. GOV.UK says you only need to tell DVLA about a repair or restoration if you replace the chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame, or if your V5C details change. If the car’s age or identity is in doubt, DVLA can issue a “Q” registration instead of the original number.

So decide early what kind of car you want at the end: original, sympathetically improved or modified. It shapes the whole budget.

Factor 4: labour hours

Labour hours add up quickly on a restoration, because older cars take time. Fixings can be seized, old wiring may need tracing, and parts often need adjusting to fit.

Our labour rate is £30-£50 per hour, depending on the job and its difficulty. Parts are extra. Because restoration hours are hard to predict, we break the work into stages and agree the price for each one on WhatsApp before we start it. That way you are never surprised by a total you did not expect.

How to keep restoration costs under control

• Get the car inspected first. Know what you are dealing with before you set a budget.
• Work in stages. Make the car safe and running first, then improve it.
• Decide on originality early. Changing direction halfway costs money.
• Keep every receipt and photo. They help with DVLA paperwork and show the work done.
• Allow a contingency. Stripping an old car nearly always uncovers something.

Our guide to vintage car restoration in Kent explains how a mechanical restoration is planned from start to finish.

How we can help

We work on classic and vintage cars at your home or garage across our area, including Aylesham, Canterbury, Dover, Deal, Sandwich and Folkestone. Our classic car mechanic service in Kent covers servicing, repair, recommissioning and air-cooled VW engines. Classic engine rebuilds are done in a Kent workshop.

Labour is £30-£50 per hour depending on the job and its difficulty. Parts are extra, and the price is agreed on WhatsApp before work starts. Bodywork and paint are not part of what we offer.

Frequently asked questions

Can you give me a price for a full restoration?
Not without seeing the car. We inspect it, then price the mechanical work in stages and agree each one on WhatsApp.

Is it cheaper to restore a car that already runs?
Usually, yes. A running car tells you more about its condition. A non-runner needs recommissioning before you know what else it needs.

Will modern upgrades affect MOT exemption?
They can. GOV.UK says substantial changes in the last 30 years, such as changing the engine or axles in a way that changes how the car works, can affect it.

Do you rebuild classic engines?
Yes. Classic engine rebuilds are done in a Kent workshop.

Need help? Send a WhatsApp to 07563 350335 with your car’s make and model and we’ll come to you.

Sources

• Historic (classic) vehicles: MOT and vehicle tax (GOV.UK)
• Historic (classic) vehicles: MOT exemption criteria (GOV.UK)
• Vehicle registration: repairs and restorations (GOV.UK)