Your classic car can earn money and probably more than you think.
Owners across the UK are making between £200 and £1,000 per booking by hiring out their vehicles for weddings, film and TV shoots, corporate events, proms, and self-drive experiences.
The best part is that you don't need to hand over your keys to a stranger or commit to anything full-time.
Modern peer-to-peer platforms like Spoke Hire let you choose which bookings to accept, set your own prices, and stay with your car if you prefer to chauffeur.
Whether you own a concours Jaguar E-Type or a well-loved Morris Minor, there's genuine demand for classic cars for hire, and the market is growing.
Why the Demand for Classic Car Hire Is Growing
The UK classic car hire market has expanded well beyond weddings, though weddings remain the single biggest source of bookings.
Film and television productions are constantly sourcing period-correct vehicles, and they'll pay premium day rates for the right car in the right location. Corporate events, brand activations, and advertising campaigns are another growing segment — companies use classic cars to create visual impact at product launches, festivals, and photo shoots.
Then there's the self-drive experience market. People who've always dreamed of driving a particular car. Maybe an Aston Martin DB5, a Porsche 911, or a classic Mini Cooper.
At Spoke Hire, we currently have over 10,000 vehicles listed across 77 marques and 88 cities in the UK. There are thousands of owners who've already made the decision to list, and hirers who are actively searching for classic cars near them.
What Can You Realistically Earn?
Earnings depend on the car, your location, and how often you make it available. As a rough guide, wedding bookings typically pay between £300 and £800 for a half-day or full-day hire. Film and TV hires tends to pay more like £500 to £1,500 per day aren't unusual for the right vehicle, and multi-day shoots can mean several thousand pounds for a single booking.
Self-drive hire rates vary widely depending on the car's value and desirability. A classic Porsche 911 might command £300 to £500 per day, while a more accessible classic like a Triumph TR6 or MGB might sit around £150 to £250.
The key point is that you don't need to hire your car out every weekend to make it worthwhile. Even five or six bookings a year can cover your annual insurance, road tax, and a good chunk of your maintenance costs. For many owners, the real appeal it turns your classic car into something that pays for itself.
What Types of Hire Can You Offer?
One of the things that makes classic car hire appealing for owners is the flexibility. You're not locked into one model. Most platforms, including Spoke Hire, let you choose from several hire types.
Chauffeur hire is the most popular with owners who want to stay with their car at all times. You drive the hirer to and from their event and typically a wedding, anniversary, or prom as your vehicle never leaves your sight. It's sociable, enjoyable, and you maintain complete control.
Commercial hire covers film, TV, photo shoots, and advertising. Production companies often need specific vehicles for period accuracy, and they're willing to pay well for it. You may need to make your car available for a full day or longer, but you're usually on set and involved.
Self-drive hire means handing the keys to a vetted hirer for a day or weekend. This commands good rates, particularly for desirable marques, but it does require a different level of trust and the right insurance arrangement.
How to Get Started
The process of listing a classic car for hire is simpler than most people assume. On Spoke Hire, you create a vehicle profile with photos, a description, your location, and the types of hire you're willing to offer. When an enquiry comes in, you see the full details and have your price set.
Before you list, there are a few practical things to sort out. Your car needs to be roadworthy, properly insured for hire use, and presentable. If you're offering chauffeur services, you should be comfortable driving in event environments (wedding venues, film sets, city centres). If you're offering self-drive, the car's insurance must cover third-party hirers.
Good photography makes a measurable difference to how many enquiries you receive.
Clean, well-lit photos taken outdoors showing the car in an interesting setting will always outperform poorly shot photo.
Is It Worth It?
For most owners, the financial return is welcome but it's not the only reason they do it. There's genuine satisfaction in seeing your car appreciated.
Watching a bride arrive in your Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, or spotting your E-Type in the background of a television scene.
Classic car ownership can be an expensive hobby and hiring your car out through a trusted platform like Spoke Hire is one of the few ways to offset those costs while actually enjoying the car.
If your classic is sitting in a garage for most of the year, it could be earning. Browse owners already listed on Spoke Hire to see what's out there, or list your vehicle today and start receiving enquiries.