Classic and collector
Pre-war cars, muscle cars, and sports cars
Cars whose value turns on originality, documentation, and the market for that model:
- Antique and pre-war cars
- Muscle cars, sports cars, and exotics
- Hot rods, customs, and restomods
Auto Estate Appraisal
Auto estate appraisal covering probate inventories, estate tax returns on Form 706, and division among heirs, at fair market value as of the date of death and prepared in accordance with USPAP. AppraiseItNow offers auto estate appraisal services of inherited cars, classic and collector vehicles, motorcycles, and entire car collections, onsite at the property in all 50 states or online from photographs.
…instantly felt relief… I will forever be in your debt!
…AppraiseItNow got it done quickly and was super responsive about my questions
I’m so glad I did… They are absolutely worth the money
USPAP-CompliantOnsite NationwideDate-of-Death Values
DEFENSIBLE, USPAP-COMPLIANT VEHICLE APPRAISAL REPORTS — QUALIFIED FOR THE IRS, PROBATE COURTS, AND ESTATE ATTORNEYS.
Auto and Car Collection Appraisals for Probate, Estate Tax, and Division Among Heirs
Each of the three asks the same thing of the appraisal: what the estate's vehicles were worth on the date of death, with the market evidence behind it. We can prepare one report that serves all three.
01
Probate
Filed with the probate court
A signed, USPAP-compliant report of the estate's vehicles at date-of-death value, for the inventory the executor files with the court.
02
Estate Tax
Reported on IRS Form 706
Date-of-death fair market value for the Form 706 schedules, including a collection valuable enough to change what the estate owes.
03
Estate Settlement
Dividing the cars among heirs
Fair market value supported by comparable sales, so an in-kind division or one heir's buyout of another's share rests on the same number for everyone.
We Appraise Every Vehicle an Estate Holds, from One Family Car to an Entire Collection
An inherited garage is rarely one kind of vehicle. We appraise classic and collector cars alongside late-model cars, trucks, and motorcycles, and we account for the records that travel with them.
Everyday vehicles
The family cars, trucks, and SUVs
The vehicles an estate used day to day, valued from sales of the same make, model, and age:
- Late-model cars and SUVs
- Pickup trucks and vans
- Utility and equipment trailers
Motorcycles and recreation
The rest of what is in the garage
The other titled vehicles that turn up in an estate:
- Vintage and custom motorcycles
- Motorhomes and travel trailers
- Classic pickups
Onsite or Online Appraisals of Inherited Cars and Car Collections
For a collection, our appraisers come to the property and document the cars where they are stored, so no one has to move or start them. Our collector car specialist has appraised, bought, and sold hundreds of collector cars and judges concours events for marque clubs. When an estate holds a few vehicles that photograph well, we can complete the appraisal online instead.
Onsite
Our appraiser comes to the collection
An appraiser visits the garage, barn, or storage building, works through the collection with the executor, and records the originality, equipment, and condition of each car in person, arranged around the family schedule.
We appraise an estate's vehicles onsite when:
- The collection fills a garage, a barn, or more than one property
- Classic or collector cars need originality and restoration quality documented in detail
- Cars have been in storage, do not run, or cannot be moved
- The estate is contested, and an in-person visit strengthens the record behind the values
- Firearms, art, or household contents also need appraising on the same visit
Online
When the vehicles photograph well
We work from photographs, the VIN, the title, and whatever service or restoration records the estate has. After the quote we tell you which views we need.
We appraise an estate's vehicles online when:
- Someone at the property can photograph each vehicle, its VIN, and its odometer
- The estate holds a few everyday vehicles that photograph clearly
- A court date or filing deadline is close and a visit would add time
Either way the report is the same: written, signed, USPAP-compliant, and stating fair market value as of the date of death. The fee is quoted as a flat amount before we start.
What estate, probate, and estate tax clients say we are known for
Estate, Probate, and Estate Tax Appraisal Reviews: “I will forever be in your debt” and “The AppraiseItNow team was great: quick turnaround, outstanding service”
- Answering fast, and staying reachable while the work runsMentioned in 5 reviews
- Being the appraiser they come back to“I highly recommend their services” Bruce A.Mentioned in 4 reviews
- Delivering the finished report ahead of the deadline“The AppraiseItNow team was great: quick turnaround, outstanding service” Steven K.Mentioned in 3 reviews
- Following the regulatory guidelines the IRS and the courts requireMentioned in 2 reviews
Across 9 published estate, probate, and estate tax appraisal reviews, every one from a client who paid AppraiseItNow for an appraisal, the three things they raise most often are how quickly we answer, that they would hire us again, and how fast the finished report arrived.
My mother passed away in August 2023 and unfortunately, in the state of Ohio, motorhomes are not transferable on death and was going to have to go through probate court. After speaking with an attorney, I was informed I needed an appraisal. Due to my hectic work schedule and family schedule, I was looking for someone who could do this online, without needing an appointment. After a quick Google search I came across Joe at AppraiseItNow Inc., and instantly felt relief. A quick inquiry led to a few emails back and forth, a very reasonable cost to have the motorhome appraised and all the information needed to submit to get this taken care of. Joe was patient, worked with me as it was going to take a few weeks before I was able to supply the needed images/documents and payment, and less than a week later of submitting it I received the appraisal. His communication is next to none! He responds very quickly, is kind and extremely helpful. If I need anything in the future, I will not hesitate to reach out again! Thank you again! I will forever be in your debt!
Brandy F., Mentor, OH · Recreational Vehicle Appraisal for Probate
It is a pleasure to work with Joe and his team. They communicate every step along the way and made the process simple for us to have more than 35 firearms appraised. It was all done in a timely manner and the final report is easy to understand. I highly recommend their services.
Bruce A. , Saint Johns, FL · Gun Appraisal for Probate
AppraiseItNow was amazing! My father passed with a large volume of artwork & I had no idea what it was worth. Their team was incredibly helpful and quick to respond with text and/or email to any questions as well as a status update along the way. Highly recommend!
Christina W., Bend, OR · Artwork Appraisal for Probate
I needed an appraisal for Probate Court so I could get the boat and motor title in my name. The AppraiseItNow team was great: quick turnaround, outstanding service. I would definitely use them again.
Steven K., Dayton, OH · Boat Appraisal for Probate
I needed to have a car appraised, AppraiseItNow got it done quickly and was super responsive about my questions. Whole thing was done online, very easy!
Lauren C., Brooklyn, NY · Car Appraisal for Probate
Friendly, speedy service with fair value.
Christina W. , Johnstown, PA · Auto Appraisal for Probate
How an Auto Estate Appraisal Works, from One Car to a Full Collection
1
Tell Us About the Vehicles
A rough count or list of the cars, what the appraisal is for, and any deadline. No finished inventory needed.
2
Fixed-Fee Quote
We quote a flat fee for your approval before any work starts.
3
Onsite Visit or Photos
Our appraiser visits the property, or you send photos of each vehicle with its VIN and any records.
4
Research and Analysis
We research comparable sales as of the date of death and write the report to USPAP.
5
Report Delivery
The signed report arrives by email for the court, the tax return, or the family.
Estate Car Collections Are Appraised at Fair Market Value, Not Agreed Insurance Value
Many collections come with an insurance schedule listing the cars at agreed values, and a family may have heard a dealer's offer as well. Neither is the number a probate inventory or Form 706 asks for. We appraise an estate's vehicles at fair market value as of the date of death.
The estate standard
Fair market value
What a willing buyer would pay a willing seller for the same make, model, age, and condition, the standard for:
- Probate inventories
- Form 706 estate tax returns
- Division among heirs
The insurance schedule
Agreed value
The figure an owner and an insurer settle on for a collector car policy, which serves:
- Insurance coverage
- Total loss settlements
The dealer offer
Wholesale value
What a dealer would pay for the car to resell it, a lower number that serves:
- Quick sale estimates
- Dealer trade offers
Originality and Documentation Decide What Each Car in a Collection Is Worth
Two cars of the same year and model can differ in value by large multiples, and to a family they can look alike. The report states the condition and configuration each value was reached on, so anyone reading it can see how the number was set.
Originality
What is still as it left the factory
Value moves with how much of the car is original, so we account for:
- Matching numbers and original drivetrain
- Factory options and paint
- Restored or survivor condition
Documentation
The paperwork behind the car
Records can move a value as much as the car itself, so send what the estate holds:
- Titles and registrations
- Build sheets and ownership history
- Restoration and service records
Market
Recent sales of comparable cars
Our appraisers research the market for the specific model as of the date of death, drawing on:
- Collector car auction results
- Private and dealer sales
- Published market data
IRS Form 706
Car Collection Appraisals Prepared for IRS Form 706 Estate Tax Reporting
An estate that files Form 706 reports its vehicles at fair market value as of the date of death, with the rest of its tangible personal property. We prepare the appraisal that schedule rests on, in accordance with IRS requirements.
Did the decedent own any works of art, items, or any collections whose artistic or collectible value at date of death exceeded $3,000? If “Yes,” you must also complete line 4 and attach appraisals.
- Nine months
- Form 706 is due nine months after the date of death, with a six-month extension of time to file available on Form 4768.
- Date of death, or six months on
- Values are taken at the date of death unless the executor elects the alternate valuation date, which applies to the whole estate and only where it lowers both the gross estate and the tax.
- Reg. § 20.2031-6
- Household and personal effects are itemized, and where articles of marked artistic or intrinsic value pass $3,000 in total, an expert appraisal is filed with the return under oath.
- IRC § 1014
- The value reported generally becomes the beneficiary's income tax basis, so the figure follows the property into whatever gain or loss they report on a later sale.
Vehicle Appraisals We Have Completed, Including a Mixed Collection for Probate Court
Real assignments, with what each one held, the standard of value it called for, and how the conclusion was supported.
Mixed Fleet Vehicle Appraisal for Probate Court
August 27, 2025
SUVs, pickups, vans, a tilt-deck trailer, snowmobiles, jet skis and an aluminum boat, all from one Ohio estate and all headed to probate.
Valuing a Classic Runabout for Probate Court
March 23, 2026
An 18-foot 1970s fiberglass runabout on its trailer, valued as of the owner's date of death for an Ohio probate filing.
Frequently Asked Questions on Auto Estate and Collection Appraisals
How do you quote a large car collection?
We quote one flat fee for the whole collection after a look at the list of cars. A rough list with the year, make, and model of each car is enough to start, even while VINs and records are still being gathered.
Do the cars have to be moved or brought anywhere?
No. Our appraiser can come to the property and document the cars where they are stored, or we can work online from photographs, so nothing is moved either way. Tell us where the cars are kept when you request a quote, including any second property, and we scope the visit around it.
What does the IRS count as fair market value for a car?
The IRS counts the price a member of the public would pay for a car of the same make, model, age, and condition, not what a dealer would pay for it. The estate tax regulations use an automobile as their own example, in Treasury Regulation 20.2031-1(b).
Can the appraisal be dated to a date of death that has already passed?
Yes. We value the cars as of the date the estate needs, including a date of death months or years back, using market evidence from that date. If a car has already left the estate, photographs and records from the time can still support a value, so send them with the request.
Can you meet a probate court or tax filing deadline?
Tell us the deadline when you request a quote, and we confirm before you engage us whether we can meet it. Timing depends on the size of the collection, where it is kept, and how quickly the records arrive, which is why we ask about the deadline first.
Can you appraise the rest of the estate too?
Yes. We appraise the firearms, household contents, jewelry, coins, and art in the same engagement, so the executor works with one appraisal company and every value sits in one report. Our estate appraisal services cover everything an estate can hold.