For most budding petrolheads a collection of toy cars was a central part of their youth. But while many of us crashed, bashed and smashed our model motors to bits, those who took better care of them could be sitting on a goldmine. Some rare Matchbox and Hot Wheels models which sold for a few pennies each when new are now worth thousands of pounds.

To truly gauge the value of antique metal toy cars, it's critical to consider various factors – rarity, condition, age, and originality among them. Condition plays a pivotal role, with well-preserved pieces often commanding premium prices.

A general rule of thumb for collecting of any kind is to check the availability. The rarer the car, the higher its value. It’s much easier to check the availability of any model car these days by doing a bit of research online. You can consult price guides, catalogues and online auctions for recent sales to see if your model is rare.