Do you have a toy car in your home worth thousands of pounds?
Two of the most-loved toy car makers celebrate big birthdays in 2018 - and their classic models can sell for a small fortune
COMPARED to the high-tech toys of today, matchbox cars don't seem to have much appeal.
But if you've got a set of classic models from your dad, you could be racing to pole position and a tidy profit.
The much-loved Hot Wheels and Matchbox brands are celebrating their 50th and 65th anniversary in 2018.
And to mark the birthdays, price comparison site GoCompare has put together a leader board of the most valuable models which are around today.
Some are valued at more than £8,000 - not bad considering they sold for a few pence back in the 1960s.
Expert Neal Giordano, founder of the North Carolina Hot Wheels Association, said that hardcore collectors are after rare cars still in their packaging, while the enduring interest in the toys is down to nostalgia.
He said: "A lot of collectors have fond memories of playing with Hot Wheels and Matchbox as kids, and to pick up collecting them again as an adult can often bring back feelings of nostalgia."
Here's the top five most valuable Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars.
Matchbox Magrius-Deutz Truck in tan/orange, 1961, was 58p now valued at £8,513
Collectors are always on the look-out for this truck, which was released way back in 1961.
An extremely rare prototype of this truck with a tan body and orange crane is highly-sought after, as it's believed there are only two in existence.
Matchbox Opel Diplomat in green, 1966, was 58p now valued at £4,812
Another car from Matchbox's Regular Wheels series, the Opel Diplomat comes with a bonet that opens.
Collectors are particularly keen on finding the car in "seafoam green", as it's nearly impossible to find today.
Classic toy cars: what you need to know
GOT a selection of cars hiding in your house somewhere? Here's what expert Neal Giordano says collectors look out for when they spend thousands of pounds.
Colour matters - A model painted in a rare colour will almost certainly be worth more than one in standard colours. Pink Redline Hot Wheels models are considered a premium collectable colour due to the fact it wasn't a popular choice among boys and there were less pink versions made.
Boxed cars are worth more - Collectors put a premium on models that are still in their packaging, especially if the packaging is in excellent condition.
Wait until Christmas to sell - Values for the cars tend to be highest at around the end of the year, though prices go up and down throughout the year. You can sell you cars over eBay where there's a large market for them
Matchbox BP Dodge Wreck Truck in green/yellow, 1965, was 58p now valued at £4,257
The rarest and most valuable version of the "Dodge Wrecker" sees the paint job reversed with a green cab and yellow bed.
If the colour of the hook is red, it means the model is a fake and not a genuine Matchbox toy.
There are 24 known fakes in existence but even they've become sought-after among collectors.
Hot Wheels Olds 442 in purple, 1965, was 73p now valued at £3,372
You'll do well to find this model at home - the US-produced car has never been found with its blisterpack packaging and is thought to be another prototype.
Models are only considered complete - and valuable - if the toy comes with its spoiler too.
Hot Wheels Custom AMX in blue, 1969, was 73p now valued at £3,138
This is a replica of the car that racer Ed Shaver drove and was available only in the UK.
Fans could buy them through mail order and a small were number given away for free at racing events Shaver was driving at.
What you need to look out for when selling things on eBay
HERE'S what you need to know before you put your stuff on auction:
Always set a reserve price - Starting with a low price will attract bidders but you don't want to accidentally sell your item for less than it's worth.
Watch out for seller's fees - You can list up to 20 things for free every month but there is a 10 per cent charge if you sell - including postage and packaging.
Set the right amount for postage and packaging - The auction site offers set postage fees based on what sellers with similar products charged but these might not be the best option for you. Use the Royal Mail price finder to get an idea of what it will cost you.
Close your auction on Sunday - According to eBay, the website is at its busiest on Sunday evenings so try to end your auction then to get the best price.
Sell stuff for free on other sites - You can avoid eBay's fees altogether by selling your things on classified sites, like Gumtree, Preloved or Facebook Marketplace.
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