Model Car Scale Guide

The majority of diecast model cars we sell are 1:18 scale. This means the models are 18 times smaller than the original car making a model of an average sized car approximately 25cm or 10 inches long. To give you some idea of size we placed this Jaguar XK model car next to a pen.
An 1:18 scale model car is large enough to attach number plates to. So this is the scale car that we mostly widely stock. Please see this page for our Model Car Personalised Number Plate Service
We keep a small number of 1:43 scale models. They are approximately 10cm or 4 inches long and are too small for our number plate service and the shopping cart will not have the number plate option on that cars details page.
All models have the size in cm on the car details page and please remember these are a scale model not a toy.

The smaller the second number the bigger the model car, and the more features it's likely to have!

1:18 Scale Model Cars

Nearly every model car on our website is 1:18 scale except where stated. The most popular diecast brands are Sunstar, Maisto, Hotwheels , Solido, Road Legends and Universal Hobbies, to name but a few. Some diecast companies like AutoArt, Kyosho and Minichamps specialise in highly detailed models for the collector with an eye for detail or that really special present.
The popularity of 1:18 scale has ensured that manufacturers have produced hundreds of models, covering a wide range of subjects, from Aston Martin to Volkswagen, from TV and Film to Formula 1, and even Street Racing and Custom Cars

1:24 Scale Model Cars

Most 1:24 scale model cars available in the UK are relatively inexpensive and very popular with younger collectors. Companies like Jadi, Bburago and Maisto produce a wide range of models in this scale. Occasionally extremely detailed models are available in the UK in 1:24 scale, but these are more popular in the USA.
1:24 scale ties in nicely with the Plastic Kit Car Builder as nearly all of the popular Airfix, Revell and Ertl kits are available in this scale.

1:43 Scale Model Cars

1:43 scale model cars (known as "Matchbox" scale) a little bigger, often sport considerably more detail (especially in recent years), and tend to be very collectable. Corgi, Minichamps and Vanguard are probably the most well-known manufacturers in this scale.

1:64 Scale Model Cars

Whilst 1:64 scale model cars (commonly referred to as "Dinky" scale) are robust, the size doesn't lend itself to extra details due to their small size and so usually tend to be very basic. These model cars are very popular with model railway enthusiasts as they are approximately 00 scale, and of course almost every young boy has probably had a collection of these "toy cars" at some point!.