Talk like a pro
Collector jargon guide
The big three brands
Majorette
French fancy! Majorette cars have opening doors, working suspension and loads of realistic details. Brilliant for collectors who like their cars extra clever.
Hot Wheels
The speed kings! Hot Wheels are built for racing down orange tracks. Watch out for Treasure Hunts – rare secret cars hiding in normal packets.
Matchbox
The classics! Matchbox have been making tough little cars since before your gran was born. Proper vehicles: fire engines, diggers and everything in between.
Collector words
BNIB
Brand New In Box. Never been taken out. Collectors go wild for these.
MOC
Mint On Card. Still sealed in its plastic bubble on the cardboard.
Loose
Out of the packet. Then we say how good it looks: Mint, Excellent or Good.
Playworn
It's been raced, crashed and loved. Scratches = stories.
Survived the Sandpit
Our joke grade! It's been through a lot. Wheels may be missing.
Chase
A special rare version hidden among normal cars – often with rubber tyres or shiny paint.
Treasure Hunt (TH)
Hot Wheels' secret rare cars. Look for a little flame logo on the car or card!
Super Treasure Hunt (STH)
Even rarer! Shiny 'Spectraflame' paint and rubber tyres.
Mainline
The everyday cars you find in the shops.
Spectraflame
Super shiny see-through paint that sparkles in the sun.
Scale (1:64)
How much smaller than a real car it is. 1:64 means 64 times smaller!
Custom
A car someone has changed themselves – new paint, wheels or stickers.
Hard to Find
Not super-rare, but you won't see it every week.
Card / Blister
The cardboard backing and plastic bubble a car comes in.