Quick checklist before buying a vintage item

Before buying, verify at least:

1. plausible model and variant;
2. consistency of serial and other identifiers;
3. date codes and major components;
4. finish, structure and evidence of work;
5. replaced or modified parts;
6. available documentation and provenance;
7. functional condition and service history;
8. accessories and retained original parts;
9. comparables with similar originality;
10. points requiring specialist verification.

If a point supporting a large part of the value remains uncertain, include that uncertainty in the decision and the price.