Car and Classic
Car and Classic is the UK's largest online marketplace for classic and specialist vehicles, operating across 10+ European countries with 59,000+ listings and 4 million monthly visitors. It combines a self-serve marketplace, live auctions, a recently launched digital insurance product, and dealer subscription services for collectors and professional traders.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Car and Classic does
Car and Classic (legal entity: Car And Classic Ltd., UK Company Number 05599884) operates Europe's largest online marketplace for classic and specialist vehicles. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in the UK, the platform serves both individual collectors and professional dealers across 10+ localized country sites, drawing approximately 4 million monthly visitors and hosting roughly 59,000 active listings spanning classic cars, classic motorcycles, modern cars, supercars, and commercial vehicles. The core product surface comprises a self-serve classifieds marketplace, a live auction platform with real-time bidding, a free vehicle valuation tool, and editorial content via Car & Classic Magazine, a clubs directory, and an events platform.
The company extends its marketplace into adjacent financial services through regulated partners. In February 2026, it launched an in-house digital Instant Insurance Platform enabling fully online quote-and-buy classic car insurance in the UK, distributed through FCA-authorized Bluefriars Brokers Limited (FRN 604987) under an Appointed Representative arrangement. Vehicle financing is offered via an Introducer Appointed Representative relationship with Motiv Finance Limited (FRN 827288). The technology stack is a web-first marketplace with live bidding infrastructure; no public APIs, SDKs, or mobile apps are documented.
Car and Classic's revenue model is multi-stream and asset-light: marketplace commissions on transactions, auction buyer premiums and seller fees, recurring dealer/trader subscription listings, plus affiliate-style referral commissions from insurance and finance partners. Distribution is digital and self-serve, with international growth executed through localized SEO-driven country sites rather than physical retail. The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, and Tom Wood serves as CEO alongside Christopher Varin (COO), Robert Dighero (Director), and Jo Ward (Head of Product).
Car and Classic firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Car and Classic
- Legal name
- Car And Classic Ltd.
- Website
- https://carandclassic.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Car and Classic is the UK's largest online marketplace for classic and specialist vehicles, operating across 10+ European countries with 59,000+ listings and 4 million monthly visitors. It combines a self-serve marketplace, live auctions, a recently launched digital insurance product, and dealer subscription services for collectors and professional traders.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Car and Classic industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Classifieds Marketplace (Classic and Specialist Vehicles)
- NAICS
- Used Car Dealers (44112)
- SIC
- Retail-Auto Dealers & Gasoline Stations (5500)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Automotive Vehicles & Parts C2C (CRAFAKAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Classic / Collector Car Insurance (FSAJAAAG)
Keywords
Where Car and Classic is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Car and Classic business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Marketplace Commission: Platform fees or commissions from vehicle sales facilitated through the marketplace, connecting buyers and sellers of classic cars, motorcycles, and specialist vehicles
- Auction Fees: Fees from live and upcoming classic car and specialist vehicle auctions, including buyer premiums and seller fees
- Dealer/Trader Listings: Revenue from professional dealers and traders listing vehicles on the platform, with dedicated dealer registration and storefront capabilities
- Insurance Referral: Referral commissions from insurance product distribution through Bluefriars Brokers Limited for classic car insurance policies
- Finance Referral: Introducer appointments to Motiv Finance Limited for classic car financing products, earning commission from the FCA-regulated finance partner
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Variable vehicle listing prices ranging from under £1,000 to £50,000+ |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Car and Classic product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Car and Classic runs the world's largest free online classifieds marketplace dedicated to classic and specialist vehicles, where individual sellers and professional dealers list cars that buyers can discover and purchase. The platform adds live online auctions, a dedicated dealer/trader subscription portal, and an integrated digital instant insurance product enabling buyers to insure a vehicle in minutes. Surrounding the core marketplace are community features including a clubs directory, events calendar, valuation tool, and magazine content.
Product overview
Car & Classic operates as a multi-platform marketplace for classic and specialist vehicles, combining a core marketplace with live auction capabilities, insurance services, and valuation tools. The platform serves both private sellers and registered dealers across 59,337+ vehicle listings spanning classic cars (31,902), motorbikes (7,858), modern cars (10,596), and other specialist categories. The product ecosystem includes the main marketplace (carandclassic.com), live auction platform, a proprietary instant insurance product (launched February 2026), vehicle valuation service, dealer/trader accounts, and supplementary content through the magazine, clubs directory, and events platform. The company also provides finance introducing services through regulated partners, serving 4 million monthly visitors across multiple international localized sites.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Classic Car Marketplace Free online classifieds marketplace where individual owners and dealers list classic and specialist vehicles for sale, browsable by 4 million monthly visitors across 10+ country-localized sites. Currently hosts 59,000+ vehicles for sale.
- Live Auctions Live online auction functionality that lets buyers bid on classic and specialist vehicles in real time and sellers run timed auction events on the platform.
- Instant Insurance Integrated digital instant insurance product that allows buyers to quote, bind, and purchase insurance cover for a classic or specialist vehicle directly through the Car and Classic platform in minutes.
- Dealer/Trader Platform Dedicated subscription portal for professional classic and specialist vehicle dealers and traders, providing storefront management and inventory listing tools to reach the platform's enthusiast audience.
- Finance Introducer Service Finance introduction service that connects buyers of classic and specialist vehicles on the platform with partner finance providers to support vehicle purchases.
Companies that use Car and Classic
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Car and Classic technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Car and Classic partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Chris Harris (Top Gear Presenter)coreTop Gear presenter Chris Harris serves as brand ambassador for the digital insurance platform launch. Provides credibility and automotive expertise endorsement for the classic car insurance product.
- Bluefriars Brokers LimitedcoreFCA-regulated insurance broker (FCA Firm Reference Number 604987) as Appointed Representative. Provides regulatory authorization for Car and Classic to distribute insurance products.
- Motiv Finance LimitedcoreFCA-regulated finance provider (FCA Firm Reference Number 827288) as Introducer Appointed Representative. Enables Car and Classic to offer classic car financing products through the platform.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Car and Classic competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bring a Trailer: US online auction platform for enthusiast and collector cars with curated listings. Direct competitor in the classic/collector auction vertical.
- Collecting Cars: UK-headquartered global online auction platform for enthusiast and classic cars. Direct competitor in European classic/enthusiast auctions.
- Hemmings: US-based classic car marketplace with classifieds, auctions, and editorial content. Comparable dual marketplace/auction model serving enthusiast collectors.
- Classic.com: Global marketplace and auction platform for classic and collector cars with integrated valuation data. Closest direct competitor to Car & Classic's marketplace-plus-auction model.
- PistonHeads: UK enthusiast car marketplace with classifieds, auctions, and editorial. Overlaps with Car & Classic's UK marketplace and auction offering.
Broad incumbents
- Auto Trader UK: UK's largest new and used car marketplace with limited but growing classic car coverage. Broader incumbent competing for dealer subscription revenue.
- eBay Motors: Global online marketplace with a significant classic and collector car category. Competes for both private sellers and enthusiast buyers at scale.
- AutoScout24: Europe's largest general vehicle marketplace with a dedicated classic and collector car section. Larger horizontal player competing for the same dealer advertising spend.
Regional players
- mobile.de: Germany's leading general vehicle marketplace with classic car inventory. Regional competitor for German dealer relationships and buyer traffic.
Emerging players
- Cars & Bids: US online auction platform focused on modern enthusiast cars (1980s-present). Partial overlap with Car & Classic's broader age range of listings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Car and Classic social profiles
Digital presenceCar and Classic compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Car and Classic financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Car and Classic leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Car and Classic funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Car and Classic M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Car and Classic
What does Car and Classic do?
Car and Classic runs the world's largest free online classifieds marketplace dedicated to classic and specialist vehicles, where individual sellers and professional dealers list cars that buyers can discover and purchase. The platform adds live online auctions, a dedicated dealer/trader subscription portal, and an integrated digital instant insurance product enabling buyers to insure a vehicle in minutes. Surrounding the core marketplace are community features including a clubs directory, events calendar, valuation tool, and magazine content.
Is Car and Classic a public or private company?
Car and Classic is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Car and Classic founded?
Car and Classic was founded in 2005. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Car and Classic based?
Car and Classic is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Car and Classic make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Marketplace Commission is the primary driver. The others are auction Fees, dealer/Trader Listings, insurance Referral and finance Referral.
Who are Car and Classic's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bring a Trailer, Collecting Cars, Hemmings, Classic.com and PistonHeads. Broad incumbents are Auto Trader UK, eBay Motors and AutoScout24. mobile.de is listed as a regional player. Cars & Bids is listed as an emerging player.
Does Car and Classic have an API?
No public API is recorded for Car and Classic.
What industry is Car and Classic in?
Car and Classic's product category is Online Classifieds Marketplace (Classic and Specialist Vehicles). Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAFAKAE, Automotive Vehicles & Parts C2C, with a secondary code of FSAJAAAG, Classic / Collector Car Insurance. Its NAICS code is 44112 and its SIC code is 5500.