Auctions & Buying
Interesting Classics for Sale: 10 Finds Worth a Look — 3 October 2026
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From an exceptionally low-mileage MG TF to a £1,500 Rover V8 project, this week’s trawl has turned up ten classics and modern classics worth a closer look.
This is not a list of guaranteed bargains. It is a shortlist of cars that caught our eye because they are unusual, potentially good value, usable, or simply interesting. Prices and availability were checked on the evening of 3 October 2026 and can change quickly—especially auction bids.
Before you buy: Retro Motors has not inspected these vehicles and has no connection with the sellers. Treat every description as a starting point. Check identity and history, inspect the structure and mechanics, confirm the paperwork, and never send money until you are satisfied that the car and seller are genuine.
1. 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R manual
Current bid when checked: £3,250 (reserve not met)
Where: Longtown, Cumbria
Source: Car & Classic auction
The 850 T-5R is one of the defining fast estates and saloons of the 1990s, and the seller describes this Black Stone manual saloon as one of just nine UK-market examples in that specification. It has an MOT until August 2027 and the combination of turbocharged five-cylinder power, a manual gearbox and discreet four-door bodywork makes it an appealing modern-classic project.
What to check: The odometer has reportedly gone around and the listing estimates the true mileage at 183,981, so study the history carefully. The car has also spent time stored, while the current MOT mentions ageing front tyres and a damaged seat-belt buckle. Budget for a thorough recommissioning rather than assuming it is ready for immediate hard use.
2. 2002 Vauxhall VX220 2.2
Current bid when checked: £5,200 (reserve not met)
Where: Newport, Isle of Wight
Source: Car & Classic auction
Few cars offer the VX220’s combination of low weight, mid-engined balance and real rarity. This naturally aspirated 2.2-litre example shows 80,717 miles, includes hard and soft tops, and has an advisory-free MOT to July 2027. If the bidding stays sensible, it could be one of the most interesting performance cars in this selection.
What to check: It was recorded as a Category C insurance loss in 2013. The seller believes this involved the rear clamshell, but a buyer should verify the repair evidence and have the bonded aluminium chassis, suspension pick-up points, geometry and paint finish inspected by a VX220 or Elise specialist.
3. 2004 MG TF 135 Cool Blue
Current bid when checked: £3,895 (reserve not met)
Where: Treorchy, Wales
Source: Car & Classic auction
This may be the week’s most remarkable survivor: a one-owner Cool Blue edition showing only 3,291 miles. The auction says it is one of 1,171 examples built and that it comes with both roofs, service history, an MOT to August 2027 and a battery fitted in September.
What to check: Ultra-low mileage does not remove age-related risk. Confirm the dates of the tyres, cambelt, coolant and brake-fluid changes, and look closely at the cooling system, head-gasket history, suspension and seals. Condition and maintenance matter more than the number on the odometer.
4. 1990 BMW 318i Lux E30
Current bid when checked: £1,200
Where: Romsey, Hampshire
Source: Car & Classic auction
A usable E30 at an attainable price is increasingly hard to find. This four-door 318i Lux has been with its current owner for 28 years and has an MOT until July 2027. Its honest presentation could make it a rewarding rolling project for someone more interested in driving than polishing.
What to check: The odometer has been replaced and later stopped, with mileage stated at about 147,694. The listing and MOT history also point to corrosion, an oil leak and brake wear, while the car was stored for roughly four years. Inspect the sills, jacking points, floors, rear arches, boot and suspension mounting areas in person.
5. 1980 GMC Vandura A-Team replica
Current bid when checked: £8,250
Where: Alford, Lincolnshire
Source: Car & Classic auction
Subtle it is not. This eight-seat Vandura has been converted into a detailed A-Team tribute and carries a 6.6-litre V8. It is UK registered and has a voluntary MOT to November 2026 with no advisories. As a show vehicle, promotional vehicle or gloriously impractical weekend toy, it certainly qualifies as special.
What to check: The five-digit odometer means the indicated 12,078 miles may not represent the true total. The air conditioning and front blowers do not work, and the seller estimates a four-figure repair. Check cooling, fuel consumption, parts availability, conversion workmanship and where you would realistically store it.
6. 1994 Vauxhall Corsa GLS
Asking price: £1,995
Where: Arundel, West Sussex
Source: eBay classified advert
Early Corsas have almost disappeared from ordinary roads, which makes this red five-door more interesting than its modest specification suggests. The advert claims 48,000 miles and one owner for 30 years. It could be an inexpensive route into preservation-era 1990s motoring.
What to check: Confirm the mileage and ownership claim against the V5C, service invoices and MOT history. Inspect the sills, rear arches, floor, suspension mounts and brake or fuel lines for corrosion, and make sure trim pieces that are now difficult to source are present.
7. 1987 Austin Mini Advantage
Asking price: £7,695
Where: Pulborough, West Sussex
Source: eBay classified advert
The Wimbledon-inspired Advantage is a charming limited edition, and this example is advertised with 35,700 miles. Its original 998cc engine and distinctive trim give it more collector interest than a heavily modified Mini, although the seller’s claim that only 47 remain should be independently verified.
What to check: Minis can hide extensive corrosion. Examine the scuttle, A-panels, door steps, floors, sills, subframes, boot floor and suspension mounting points. Check that the Advantage-specific interior and exterior details are authentic, and verify the mileage and identity from the paperwork.
8. 1970 Rover P6 3500 project
Price when checked: £1,500
Source: eBay listing
A Rover P6 with a 3.5-litre V8 is a wonderfully characterful British sports saloon. This one is explicitly described as an abandoned automatic project, so the appeal lies in its low entry price and rescue potential—not in getting a cheap car on the road next weekend.
What to check: Establish exactly what is complete, why the restoration stopped and whether the engine turns. The P6’s visible outer panels can disguise corrosion in the structural base unit, so a knowledgeable inspection is essential. Price transport, welding, missing parts, brakes, fuel system and interior work before bidding.
9. 1987 Volkswagen Golf Mk2 1.9 TD project
Asking price: £1,495
Where: Swindon, Wiltshire
Source: eBay classified advert
This five-door Mk2 is advertised as a running and driving project with a 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine. At £1,495 it has potential as a practical rolling restoration, and the strong following for Mk2 Golfs means knowledge and many service parts are readily available.
What to check: The car has 180,000 miles and needs work for an MOT. Confirm the engine conversion or specification against the V5C and insurance requirements, then inspect the sills, floors, rear axle mounts, windscreen surround and fuel-filler area. Ask the seller for a precise list of known MOT work.
10. 1990 Mercedes-Benz W124 230E automatic
Asking price: £3,250
Where: Benfleet, Essex
Source: eBay classified advert
A W124 saloon makes a strong case as a classic that can still perform everyday duties. This blue petrol automatic is described as a usable classic and, at the advertised price, could be appealing if its structure, history and mechanical condition support the claim.
What to check: The advert provides limited detail, so ask for the mileage, MOT status, maintenance history and underside photographs before travelling. Inspect the jacking points, front wings, rear arches, subframe areas and boot floor, and check the automatic gearbox, cooling system, central locking and electrical equipment.
Our pick of the week
The Volvo 850 T-5R is the standout for us because of its unusual specification and the enduring appeal of Volvo’s turbocharged five-cylinder cars. The mileage story and storage period make inspection essential, but that is precisely why it is interesting: it may reward someone prepared to assess it carefully rather than shop purely by odometer reading.
For a lower-risk day out, the Mercedes W124 and early Vauxhall Corsa merit further investigation. For a proper workshop challenge, the Rover P6 is the brave choice. And if you want something nobody could overlook at a show, the GMC Vandura wins without debate.
Listings, prices and auction bids were live when checked on 3 October 2026. They may change or disappear at any time. Links are provided for readers’ convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
Feature image: Alex Gorin / Unsplash.
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