Why condition grades, and not mileage?
On a modern used car, mileage is the figure that matters most. On a classic it is of little use: a 911 with 250'000 km and a complete service history can be in better condition than an 80'000 km car that stood for thirty years in a damp barn. That is why the German-speaking world settled on a five-step grading system, shaped by the valuation firm Classic Data and now the standard for appraisals, insurers and the specialist press. Every value estimate on ClassicGuide refers to this system.
The five grades in detail
Condition grade 1 – Concours
Peak condition at concours level: technically and visually at least as new, often better than it left the factory. Fully restored, or an exceptionally preserved original with no trace of use. Such cars are hardly driven and rarely offered; the prices follow. For a buyer who wants to drive, grade 1 is usually the wrong category: every kilometre costs substance and value.
Condition grade 2 – Good
A fault-free, cared-for original condition, or an older restoration, cleanly carried out, with light signs of use. Technically sound, no rust-through, no work pending. This is the reference category of most market-value figures, including our value-trend charts, and for most buyers the best compromise between substance and usability.
Condition grade 3 – Used
Roadworthy and safe in traffic, but with normal signs of use: smaller faults in paint, chrome or interior, possibly light rust that is not structural. No immediate major work is needed, but a backlog of maintenance and cosmetic work is priced in. The most honest category for a newcomer who wants to drive rather than collect.
Condition grade 4 – Tired
Only conditionally roadworthy, sometimes with considerable faults in the mechanicals and the body, and immediate work needed for use or the MFK. Here you are not buying a car; you are buying a project. Restoration costs quickly exceed the purchase price several times over. Buy only with expertise, or with very good advice.
Condition grade 5 – Needs restoration
Not roadworthy, in need of a comprehensive restoration, but largely complete. The purchase price is usually the smallest item on the total bill. Economically, grade 5 almost only pays off for rare or very valuable models, or as a deliberate enthusiast project with no thought of a return.
Intermediate grades and practice
Appraisers often award intermediate grades (e.g. 2–3 or 2.5), because real cars rarely fall cleanly into one category. Worth knowing:
- The grade is an overall assessment. A freshly painted car with tired mechanicals is not a grade 2. Body, mechanicals, interior and history all feed in together.
- Seller statements are not appraisals. « Grade 2 » in the listing is a wish, not a finding. The only reliable source is a current short appraisal from a neutral party, or your own thorough viewing. Our checklist helps.
- The grade counts for insurance too. Swiss Oldtimer policies usually require a valuation for the agreed value; the condition grade largely determines the value.
- Read the price bands: between grade 2 and grade 3, the same model often differs in price by 30 to 50 per cent. If you know the grades, you spot overpriced listings at a glance.