Sky-is-the-limit enthusiasts will pay just about anything for the motor cars needed to complete their collection. You might call them the crown jewels of car collecting. Here are the 20 most expensive cars ever sold at auction. Garage for all 20? Perfect.
1994 McLaren F1 LM, £15,278,730
One of just two F1s upgraded by the factory to Le Mans specification. At RM Sotheby’s in 2019, frantic bidding lasted all of five minutes. That’s how to spend fifteen million.
1995 McLaren F1, £15,789,444
Another F1, sold by Gooding & Company in 2012 and registering just 243 miles on the clock. Complete with fitted luggage. Handy for easy packing of small boot.
1963 Aston Martin DP215, £16,557,294
Eye-catching, one-off racing Aston, sold by RM Sotheby’s in 2018. Competed at Le Mans in 1963, hitting a top speed of 186 mph on the Mulsanne straight. Still quite fast today.
1955 Jaguar D-Type, £16,805,994
You’re looking at 1956’s Le Mans winner. RM Sotheby’s, who sold the D-Type in 2016, said it's “unequivocally one of the most important and valuable Jaguars in the world”.
1935 Duesenberg SSJ, £16,974,500
One of only two SSJs built, according to Gooding & Company who auctioned it in 2018. Aim in the 1930s was to build one of the most expensive cars ever sold. Job done.
1956 Aston Martin DBR1, £17,393,065
New owner gets to sit where Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss once did. Distinguished racing career, auctioned by RM Sotheby’s in 2018.
1956 Aston Martin DBR1, £17,393,065
Winner of 1959 Nürburgring 1000km, first of five DBR1s, sister car to Le Mans winner, described by RM Sotheby’s in 2017 as “the most important model in Aston history”.
1955 Ferrari 410 Sport, £17,740,308
Little known Rick Cole Auctions sold this V12 racer in 2014. Attraction - apart from those looks - is competition history in 1955 World Sportscar Championship.
1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale, £20,362,018
Just three were built for homologation purposes. RM Sotheby’s in 2014 said its availability sent "shockwaves through the community of automotive enthusiasts”.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4S NART Spider, £21,214,452
Sold by RM Sotheby’s in 2013, proceeds to charity. Lucky auction winner bought one of ten made, meticulously restored. Also: wouldn’t you want it?
1956 Ferrari 290 MM, £21,632,782
Another 290 MM, raced on three continents, podium finisher in legendary Mille Miglia, one of just three surviving examples, said RM Sotheby’s in 2015.
1954 Mercedes-Benz W196, £22,820,121
Not dented, but carrying patina of age. Goodwood punters at the annual Bonhams auction in 2013 loved this double Fangio-piloted grand prix winner, only one in a private collection.
1967 Ferrari 412P, £23,322,718
Far from last Ferrari on our list and what a car, auctioned by Bonhams in 2023. V12 lurks under bodywork by Fantuzzi, stellar racing history, fully restored, ready for supermarket run.
1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti, £27,538,187
Second in the Mille Miglia, then greatest race in the world, with further competition in Venezuela - Mike Hawthorn was a driver - and Cuba, Artcurial in 2016 were first to sell it since 1970.
1964 Ferrari 250 LM, £28,011,727
Le Mans winner in 1965, boasting Scaglietti’s breathtaking coachwork, sold by Indianapolis Museum through RM Sotheby’s in February 2025. Auctioneer’s note: "a bona fide legend”.
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, £29,385,270
Of course there had to be a GTO. Crashed so badly at Monza that owner considered transferring its V12 to a powerboat. Decided against it - reached reasonable price at Bonhams in 2014.
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, £37,319,663
And another, four years later at RM Sotheby’s. This GTO - third of 36 built - boasts more aggressive Scaglietti bodywork, first in class in the Targa Florio two years running, racing legend.
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, £39,874,127
Third GTO on our list, showing steep rise in prices: RM Sotheby’s breaking records in 2023. Unique selling point: only GTO raced by Scuderia Ferrari. “Holy grail,” according to auctioneers.
1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R, £41,604,407
Sold in February 2025, gave Stirling Moss fastest lap at Monza, victory to Juan Manuel Fangio at 1955 Buenos Aries Grand Prix, streamliner bodywork one of four, RM Sotheby’s called it "a gem without parallel”.
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, £109,562,903
And the winner is … worth more than double the next contender. “One of the great jewels of motoring history,” said RM Sotheby’s in 2022. One of two prototypes built by legendary engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut and one of the most expensive cars ever sold. Yes, please.
Next up: These are the most expensive car brands in the world right now.
