So, you’ve started collecting and you’re trying to figure out why after a period of time some cars are 5 times their original value. Well, that comes down to a few things:
Firstly, production numbers, many cars come with what is called a certificate of authenticity (COA) which is a numbered certificate that tells you how many of that model were built. Some cars that have a low build number become hard to find and supply just doesn’t meet demand which makes values skyrocket.
Drivers also play a massive part in values; some collectors try to collect every car a driver has raced or every livery and this make the lower production model hold and increase value.
The best way to avoid this is by pre-ordering, pre-orders insure you get a model upon release. Some models double in price upon release as people who did not pre-order something that is highly popular try to get their hands on it and are willing to pay the higher price to get this model.
Not all cars have a COA, some company’s like Minichamps number the cars on there display bases and for example will say 1 of 626 and will not be individually numbered.