Every year, valuation specialists put together a list of ten classic and modern classic cars expected to gain value over the year ahead. That’s not a guarantee. No one can promise a car’s future price, and this isn’t financial advice. But it’s a useful read of where enthusiast demand is heading. It’s based on real transaction data, not guesswork.
The 2026 list leans noticeably towards the 1990s and 2000s, alongside a couple of oddities. Value isn’t only about exotica, and this list proves it. Here’s what made the cut, and what it might mean if you own one.
Which UK classic cars are tipped to rise in value in 2026?
Alfa Romeo Spider (1966 to 1986)
A 1970s Series 2 Veloce currently averages around £21,200. It’s rated as strong value: Italian styling with running costs that are still manageable. That’s a rarer combination than it should be. If you’re weighing one up, our Alfa Romeo insurance specialists insure the full range, not just the obvious models.
Ferrari F430 (2004 to 2009)
The F430 Spider now averages around £95,400, up roughly 19% over five years. It’s the newest supercar on the list. A younger generation of owners see it as better value than its 458 successor, for a similar drive. Our Ferrari insurance team can talk through cover for performance values like this.
Ford Transit Mk1 (1965 to 1977)
The most surprising entry. A 2.0-litre petrol Mk1 Transit now averages £17,200, up around 6.2% over five years. Survivors are far rarer than the old sales numbers would suggest. There’s a growing following of owners restoring them as show vehicles rather than workhorses. Ford insurance covers classic commercial models as well as the more obvious performance Fords.
Mercedes-Benz SLK R171 (2004 to 2011)
At around £5,200 on average, the R171 SLK is often called an outright steal for the build quality and performance on offer. It’s the cheapest car on the whole list. That makes it a good example of a modern classic still bottomed out, before demand catches up. Chris Knott’s Mercedes-Benz insurance cover extends to exactly this kind of modern classic.
MG MGA (1955 to 1962)
Averaging £25,700, the MGA has actually been through a soft patch in recent years. A recovery is expected, given how broadly its race-derived shape still appeals. It’s a good example of price dipping ahead of demand, rather than the other way round. See our MG insurance page for cover across the range.
Porsche 911 996 (1997 to 2006)
An early 3.4-litre Carrera 2 averages around £17,800. It’s scored as the most collectable car on the whole list, relative to its price. It’s long been the 911 generation enthusiasts overlooked in favour of air-cooled cars. That gap looks to be closing. Our Porsche insurance specialists cover the 996 alongside every other generation.
Riley Nine Imp (1934 to 1935)
At around £60,100, the Nine Imp has actually fallen roughly 20% in recent years. That puts it on the list for a different reason to the rest. Well-maintained examples are seen as good value, precisely because the market has corrected.
Toyota Supra A80 (1993 to 2002)
The A80 Supra has had the strongest run of anything on the list: up 41.8% over five years, to an average of around £40,000. UK-market cars were sold in small numbers. A young ownership base with real enthusiasm for the model looks set to keep pushing demand. Our Toyota insurance cover includes JDM-influenced models like this one.
Vauxhall Viva HC (1971 to 1979)
Averaging just £4,300, the Viva HC is here for the same reason as the Transit: rarity. Most were scrapped decades ago. The ones left tend to be well looked after. Vauxhall insurance with Chris Knott covers exactly this kind of overlooked, low-value classic.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2 (1983 to 1992)
The Mk2 GTI averages £15,300, still notably cheaper than a Mk1, which has risen around 25% since 2020. It simply hasn’t caught up in value yet, despite offering much the same ownership experience. Our Volkswagen insurance page covers the full GTI range.
Why does a rising value actually matter for your insurance?
It’s not just a talking point. If your classic’s value is climbing, your policy needs to keep pace. Otherwise a standard market-value settlement could leave you short after a claim or a total loss.
That’s what agreed value insurance is designed to solve. You and the insurer agree what the car is worth at the outset. No dispute over valuation later. It’s worth revisiting that figure periodically. That goes double for anything on this list, where prices have moved fast.
We’ve seen this play out with real collectors too. Read Alan Greenhalgh’s story on building and insuring a car collection over time. It’s a good sense of how this looks in practice, not just in theory.
Get your classic valued and covered properly
Maybe you’re holding onto one of the cars above. Maybe you’re just wondering what your own classic is really worth these days. Either way, it’s worth talking to a broker who deals in this market every day. Chris Knott Insurance has arranged classic car insurance since 1983. Our panel of specialist insurers understands how these values move.
Get a quick, no-obligation quote, or call our UK-based team on 0800 917 2274 to talk through agreed value cover for your car.
(Source: https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/2026-bull-market-list/)