There are only a few dozen cars in the world whose price exceeds 100 million dollars. These are not just vehicles - they are works of art, engineering masterpieces and investment assets that only increase in value over time. Such cars are bought by collectors, billionaires and even entire states for museum displays.
But how is it even possible that a car costs as much as a small company or an island in the Caribbean? It's all about exclusivity: limited editions (sometimes only 1-2 copies), unique technologies, historical value and the participation of legendary designers. For example, Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé 1955 was sold for $143 million - and this is a record to date.
If you think that such transactions are carried out like a regular purchase at a car dealership, you are mistaken. This requires special auctions, lawyers, verification of provenance (ownership history), and sometimes coordination with the government of the country. Let's figure out which cars cost that kind of money, where to look for them and what pitfalls you might encounter.
Top 5 most expensive cars in the world (2026)
The leaderboard is constantly updated, but these models have been at the top of the ratings for a long time. Prices are based on recent sales at auctions Sotheby’s, RM Sotheby’s and Bonhams.
- 🥇 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé (1955) — $143 million. Two prototypes built for racing but never raced. One of them belongs to the museum Mercedes-Benz, the second - to a private collector.
- 🥈 Ferrari 250 GTO (1962–1964) — $70–100 million. A total of 36 pieces were produced. In 2018, a copy with a racing history was sold $70 million, but experts estimate rare versions at $100+ million.
- 🥉 Bugatti La Voiture Noire (2019) - 18.7 million € (~110 million $ at the 2026 exchange rate). The most expensive new car. The only copy purchased by a cryptocurrency tycoon.
- 🏁 Rolls-Royce Boat Tail (2021) — ~$28 million (according to rumors, the real price is closer to $100 million). Customized for the customer, with champagne Armand de Brignac and a set of silverware.
- 💎 Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita (2009) — $4.8 million (2026 estimate — $80–100 million). Only 3 copies, body made of carbon fiber with diamond dust.
Interestingly, most of these cars not intended for daily driving. For example, Bugatti La Voiture Noire has an engine W16 8.0 with 1500 hp, but its maximum speed is electronically limited to 380 km/h - so as not to damage the unique finish.
Where and how do people buy $100 million cars?
Such cars are not sold in showrooms or Avito. Main sites:
- Closed auctions — Sotheby’s, RM Sotheby’s, Gooding & Company. Transactions with preliminary verification of the buyer take place here. For example, to participate in an auction Pebble Beach you need to confirm the presence of at least $50 million.
- Private brokers - companies like Girardo & Co. or Simon Kidston looking for rare lots all over the world. Their commission is from 2% to 10% from the transaction amount.
- Direct negotiations - when the owner (for example, a museum or the heir of a collector) is ready to sell the car without intermediaries. Such transactions often remain confidential.
The purchasing process can take up to several months. First it is checked provenance (ownership history), then a technical examination is carried out, and then legal registration. For example, for import Ferrari 250 GTO in the USA a certificate will be required EPA and DOT, which can cost up to 500 000 $.
⚠️ Attention: When buying a car for $100+ million luxury tax in some countries (for example, Italy) can reach 40% from the cost. Switzerland has a “conditional import” rule - a car can be imported for 6 months duty-free, but then it must either be exported or pay full tax.
If you're considering the purchase as an investment, look for models with a racing history. For example, Ferrari 250 GTO, who participated in Le Mans or Targa Florio, rise in price by 15–20% per year.
Legal nuances: how not to lose millions on fines?
Buying a car for $100 million is not only a matter of money, but also of legal literacy. Here are the key points:
| Aspect | What you need to know | Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Taxes | In the EU - BAT (20–25%) + luxury tax (up to 40%). In the USA - sales tax (5–10%) + federal vehicle tax. |
Failure to pay may result in confiscation of the vehicle and a fine of up to 100% of its cost. |
| Customs | A certificate will be required for import into the Russian Federation. TR TS 018/2011 and payment of duty (up to 48% for cars over 30 years old). |
Without the correct documents, the car will not be allowed to leave the border. |
| Insurance | The cost of the policy is from 1% to 3% per year from the price of the car. Insurance companies require storage in special climate-controlled boxes. | In case of an accident, the payment may be reduced if the car was not operated according to the rules (for example, on a highway with humidity above 60%). |
| Provenance | Documents must confirm all previous owners. For example, for Ferrari 250 GTO archive required Ferrari Classiche. | Fake documents can make the car “illiquid” and will not be accepted for auction. |
Particular attention should be paid purchase and sale agreement. It should contain:
- 📄 Return conditions (for example, if the examination reveals a fake).
- 🔧 Guarantees for the originality of parts (for restored cars).
- 🌍 Jurisdiction for resolving disputes (most often chosen Switzerland or UK).
⚠️ Attention: If the car was stolen or involved in criminal activity (such as money laundering), it may be repossessed even years after purchase. Before the transaction, order a check in the database Interpol Stolen Motor Vehicles.
Maintenance: how much does it cost to maintain a millionth car?
Purchasing is just the beginning of the expenses. The maintenance of such a car costs hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Here are the main cost items:
- 🔧 Service: Changing the oil in Bugatti Chiron worth it 20 000 $ (requires special synthetic oil Total Quartz). Full diagnostics - from 50 000 $.
- 🏠 Storage: Rent a climate-controlled box in Monaco - $10,000/month.. An alternative is private collections like Mullin Automotive Museum (California).
- 🚛 Transportation: Transportation Koenigsegg from Europe to the USA on a specialized truck - 150 000 $. By plane (for example, Boeing 747 Dreamlifter) - up to 500 000 $.
- 🎨 Restoration: Body restoration Ferrari 250 GTO costs $1–2 million. Original paints are used (for example, Rosso Corsa from PPG).
Many owners hire personal mechanicswho accompany the car at exhibitions and races. For example, support team McLaren F1 consists of 3 people: a mechanic, an electrician and an aerodynamics specialist.
What happens if you don't service your car?
Without regular engine maintenance W16 from Bugatti may fail after 5,000 km. For example, in 2020 the owner Veyron had to replace the turbines for the amount $1.2 million due to the use of unsuitable fuel.
Investment potential: is it worth buying a car for $100 million?
Over the past 10 years, rare cars have shown profitability from 10% to 400% per annum - better than stocks or real estate. But there are nuances:
- Liquidity: Sell your car for $100 million It won't work quickly. Average time to find a buyer: 6–12 months.
- Volatility: Prices depend on fashion. For example, Japanese supercars have become more expensive in the 2020s (Toyota 2000GT, Nissan R34 Skyline), and classic Jaguar E-Type got a little cheaper.
- Capital gains taxes: In the USA, when selling after 1+ years, the rate applies 20%, in the UK - up to 28%.
Experts recommend buying:
- 🏆 Cars with racing history (participation in Le Mans, Mille Miglia).
- 🎨 Models created legendary designers (for example, Giorgetto Giugiaro or Marcello Gandini).
- 🔧 Cars with unique technical solutions (for example, McLaren F1 with central driver position).
The most reliable investments are cars that have already broken records at auctions. For example, Ferrari 250 GTO (black copy from 1962) increased in price from $35 million in 2012 to $70 million in 2018.
How to make sure that the car is not fake?
Even cars are counterfeited $100 million. The most notorious cases:
- 🚗 In 2019, it was discovered in Germany fake Ferrari 250 GTO, assembled on the basis Ferrari 330 GT. Fraudsters sold it for 15 million €.
- 🎭 In 2021, a collector was arrested in the United States who had been selling “restored” items for 20 years. Shelby Cobra, actually assembled from spare parts.
To avoid being scammed, check:
Study the ownership history (provenance) in the manufacturer's archives|
Order an examination from an independent appraiser (for example, Hagerty)|
Check the VIN code in the database Carfax or AutoCheck|
Compare parts with shop drawings (for Ferrari - through Ferrari Classiche)|
Make sure the engine and body are original (metal and paint analysis) -->
For the rarest models (for example, Mercedes 300 SLR) use radioisotope analysis — it shows the age of metal and paint with an accuracy of up to a year.
Alternatives: what to buy if $100 million is too much?
You don't have to spend nine figures to own an iconic car. Here are several options for “almost the same” cars, but cheaper:
| Model | Price (2026) | Why is this beneficial? |
|---|---|---|
| Ferrari 250 GT California Spider (1957–1963) | $15–25 million | Design Pininfarina, engine Colombo V12. Prices are rising by 12% per year. |
| Porsche 917K (1970–1971) | $10–18 million | Winner Le Mans 1970. Original pieces with racing history. |
| McLaren F1 (1992–1998) | $20–30 million | The first production supercar with a carbon monocoque. Only 106 copies. |
| Lamborghini Veneno (2013) | $8–12 million | Limited edition (3 pieces). Fighter style design F-22 Raptor. |
If you need modern car with growth potential, pay attention to:
- 🚀 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ (2019) — $3.5 million (limited edition, speed
490 km/h). - ⚡ Rimac Nevera (2021) — $2.4 million (electric hypercar,
1914 hp). - 💎 Rolls-Royce Sweptail (2017) — $13 million (the only copy ordered by a billionaire from the UAE).
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to buy a car for $100 million on credit?
Technically yes, but banks require a deposit of 150–200% from the loan amount. For example, to purchase Ferrari 250 GTO for $70 million you will need a deposit of $100–140 million. Interest rates - from 8% per annum.
An alternative is leasing through specialized companies like Pagani Financial Services or McLaren Capital.
How to transport a $100 million car from Europe to Asia?
The best option is a charter flight to Boeing 747-8F (cost - 300 000–500 000 $). The machine is placed in a sealed container with humidity and temperature control (20±2°C).
It's cheaper by sea (80 000–150 000 $), but the risk of damage is higher. For example, in 2021 Porsche 917 received corrosion after transportation in the hold due to high humidity.
What documents are needed to register a car in Russia?
Package includes:
- Purchase and sale agreement (notarized).
- Certificate of Conformity
TR TS 018/2011(for cars over 30 years old - a simplified procedure). - Customs declaration with duty payment (48% for cars older than 3 years).
- Insurance policy (minimum coverage amount - $5 million).
- Technical inspection report (even if the car will not drive on public roads).
Registration period - from 3 to 6 months.
Is it possible to drive such a car on public roads?
Theoretically yes, but in practice this is fraught:
- 🚨 Risk of an accident (insurance premium after an accident will increase by 300–500%).
- 🛢️ Problems with fuel (for example, Bugatti Chiron requires gasoline Shell V-Power with octane number
102, which is not available at every gas station). - 📸 Attention paparazzi and thieves (in 2022, a car was stolen in London Lamborghini Veneno for the amount $3.5 million).
Most owners operate their cars only on closed tracks (for example, Nürburgring) or exhibitions (Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance).
What taxes do owners of such cars pay?
Depends on country:
- 🇺🇸 USA:
Sales tax (5–10%)+ annual property tax (up to 2% from cost). - 🇬🇧 UK:
VAT (20%)+Vehicle Excise Duty(up to £2,500/year). - 🇨🇭 Switzerland: Luxury tax - up to 40%, but you can apply for “conditional import” for 6 months.
- 🇷🇺 Russia: Transport tax - 150,000–300,000 ₽/year +
simplified tax system (13%)when selling.
Tip: many billionaires register their cars in offshore companies (for example, in Liechtenstein or Monaco) to optimize taxes.