1981 DeLorean DMC-12 |

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1981 DeLorean DMC-12

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£33,768

Mileage~35,086 on clock
TransmissionManual
Engine2.8L
LocationBirmingham

SOLD

1981 DeLorean DMC-12

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Paul Wright

Professional Consigner

Great Scott - Need we say any more to introduce this 80s icon?

The DeLorean DMC-12 is an iconic 1980s sports car, best known for its distinctive brushed stainless-steel body, gull-wing doors, and futuristic styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro. Built in Northern Ireland, it features a fibreglass underbody on a Lotus-designed chassis. Powered by a 2.8-litre PRV V6 engine producing around ~130BHP, it offered modest performance, with 0–60mph in about ~10.5 seconds. Buyers could choose between a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic gearbox. The DMC-12 was the only model produced by John DeLorean's company, which folded in 1983 after just two years of production. Its fame was sealed thanks to its starring role as a time machine in the 'Back to the Future' films, making it a lasting symbol of 1980s pop culture and a sought-after collector’s item today.

This 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 has been owned by a company for the past seven years and used as a promotional vehicle. It has been dry stored and used very little. It's being sold as a recommission project, but once this is completed, it will make a fantastic car!

This listing was written from information supplied by Paul after meeting Mark the custodian, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

We have wrapped this DeLorean several times for different promotions over the years, and obviously, because of what it is, it always draws a crowd!

Mark's company has been in charge of the DeLorean for a client, for whom they have stored and wrapped the car several times for use as an advertising prop. The car has always been kept in dry storage, and when used at various shows, it had the fluids completely drained.

Four years ago, the car had the fluids refilled and was moved into another storage area, where it has remained since then. Therefore, it will require some recommissioning. Mark will be available to answer any questions about the car the comments section below.

Mark

Custodian

Mark saved £5,940* when they
sold their DeLorean with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Gull-wing doors and a brushed stainless steel body – the DeLorean DMC-12 is probably one of the most iconic-looking cars ever produced.

Wheels and Tyres

Fitted with the original multi-spoke alloy wheels, these are all in good condition with just a minor amount of surface corrosion to some areas of the faces, but nothing excessive we think.

The tyres are different brands to the front and rear, but there is plenty of tread remaining on each. Please see the image gallery for detailed shots.

Bodywork

It's this that makes or breaks the car, and we can say the panel gaps all look to align well. There were no dings or dents spotted, and the doors, boot, and engine cover all opened easily and stay in place when open.

The bonnet cable has snapped at the handle, but this can still be pulled open from inside.

Paint

Finished in bare brushed stainless steel, the finish is excellent. There are a couple of light scratches which run against the stainless grain, but with the correct grade paper, they could be rectified.

The windscreen surround, front and back panels have been wrapped, and there are signs of either a previous wrap or paint under the existing gloss black wrap, which has come off in pieces. Images are taken from multiple angles to give you a realistic impression of the car, just as if you were standing beside it. Please take the time to examine these high-resolution images and videos to assess the condition for yourself.

Glass and Trim

The windows are all in good condition, and there are some age-related marks, but these are minimal. The seals look in good order for their age but have perished a little.

The louvred engine cover is in good condition and has no visible cracks or splits that we could see.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

With full leather seats, the low-down seating position suits the style of the low-slung DeLorean just perfectly.

Seats and Carpets

The full grey leather interior is in good condition. The driver's seat has a light amount of wear, and when you consider how low down the car is, the wear is very minimal. There are some bits of trim which are loose and have been removed; this includes the roof panels, which attach to the top of the doors. Two flat panels have been attached, which does lower the internal roof height, but the originals are included and would add a couple of extra inches in height inside.

The grey carpets have a small amount of wear and have discoloured in places. There is one area behind the passenger seat which looks to have had battery acid spilt on it at some point, which has unfortunately rotted the carpet. Inside the boot, the original space-saver spare wheel is in place, along with the carpet.

Dashboard

Matching the seats in grey leather, the dashboard is in good condition with no damage noted. There is one corner of the glove box lid which has lifted slightly as pictured.

The instrument cluster does have the oil pressure gauge, and the tachometer needles are sticking but do move when revved, and the odometer shows a reading of ~35,806 miles at the time of our visit.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The leather steering wheel is in good condition with just light signs of age. The original gear knob shows the numbers 1–5 and R clearly, albeit a little small.

Please refer to the interior gallery for more images.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Producing around ~1.21 Gigawatts and developed jointly between Peugeot, Renault and Volvo, the DeLorean is fitted with the 2.8-litre PRV V6 engine.

Engine and Gearbox

The PRV V6 produces in real terms, around ~130BHP – which, although it might not sound like a lot, is still capable of achieving a 0–60mph time of ~10.5 seconds.

The DeLorean has not been run for some time and does require some recommissioning. We were able to get the car to start on our visit and it idles smoothly, however when revved it misfires. We did move the car around Mark’s garden, and 1st and reverse gears were selected easily.

Suspension and Brakes

The car appears to sit as it should, and looking under the car, there doesn’t appear to be any leaks from the dampers, and there is minimal surface corrosion to the suspension components.

The brakes do stop the car travelling slowly around the garden. It goes without saying that these should be recommissioned before being used on the road, having not been used for some time.

The Drive

Unfortunately, due to some recommissioning work needed, we were unable to take the DeLorean out on the road. It was last driven on the road approximately four years ago, when it was moved from storage to a new location. However, Mark reports that it drove well with no issues.

Electrics and Other

There is an issue with the ignition switch that requires some jiggling to start the car. All of the switchgear appears to be in good condition, with minimal wear. Some of the switches in the centre console are a little loose.

The electric door windows operate, but the heater fan doesn’t seem to blow. However, this issue has not been investigated further. It dates back to 1981, so the electrics are relatively simple to work on by an auto electrician or competent DIY enthusiast.

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History and Paperwork

Imported 2015, the DeLorean has had just 2 former keepers in the UK, it comes to market from ~7 year ownership used for promotional activity and presents a potential steal with a keen reserve as a recommission project.

Unfortunately, there is no paperwork with the car other than the V5C, as it has been used purely as an advertising car over the past few years. Mark does suspect there was some paperwork which may have been lost, and he is trying to obtain it - any bidders should assume this will not be supplied and bid accordingly.

With a little recommissioning, this is going to make a fantastic, desirable, and iconic car for the following lucky custodian. “Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." Well, maybe you do, but get this '80s icon up to 88mph (on a private road of course), and who knows what will happen! You have been warned!

We’ve carried out our usual seller checks, including verifying photo ID, the V5C, and an HPI check. This confirms the car has not been stolen, written off, or has any outstanding finance. Please note: This check does not include mileage verification.

We’ve summarised the car based on the seller’s information above. As always, we go to great lengths to photograph and film the car in high-resolution detail so you can make your own informed assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So grab a cuppa, relax, and enjoy reviewing everything in this listing.

Viewings are welcome for all our listings. Please get in touch to arrange a time—we just need to speak with you first and receive valid photo ID before confirming.

If there’s anything you’re unsure about, no matter how small, please ask the owner in the comments section below before placing your bids, as bids cannot be retracted and form a binding contract if you win—just like in a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
25.09.2019	MOT	35,789
09.10.2018	MOT	35,588
21.10.2016	MOT	35,435
20.05.2015	MOT	64,966

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Key Details

ModelDMC-12
TransmissionManual
Reg. Date01.01.1981
CC2,849
Mileage~35,806 on clock
ColourBrushed Stainless Steel
Interior ColourGrey
Interior TrimLeather
Chassis #SCEDT26T4BD004463
RestoredNo
HPi ClearYes
Former Keepers2 in UK
LHD or RHDLHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned~7 years
Key FeatureOriginal condition
Auction ID2858

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All Images

History and Paperwork

All Videos

Vehicle Sold

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Ask Questions

Seller : MarkBa Sale Date 26.06.2025

Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.

5 Comments

H444yes

1 year ago

Hi again.
I asked if you imported the vehicle due to it’s first MOT stating over 64,000 miles then the following year going to 34,435 miles.

H444yes

1 year ago

Hi Mark.
Just looking at the VIN noted on v5 is this definitely correct?
Having been on delorean vin list it states this car as being built Oct 81, it’s in Bakersfield, painted white and is a project car???

MarkBa

Seller

H444yes

1 year ago

Hi,

The vehicle is in the Uk, and is as the pictures on the auction, its listed on the auction as a Project Car

H444yes

MarkBa

1 year ago

Yes I know the car is in UK and was imported in 2015 as per v5. I’m just wondering if it is the same car (as per vin). Asking as that is the only record of VIN 4463 I can find. Did you import it ?

H444yes

1 year ago

Apologies I’ve just noticed you are the second owner in the UK.

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Vehicle Location

Birmingham

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