Diecast and Resin Model Cars in 1:18, 1:43, 1:12 and Other Scales

What are diecast and resin model cars?

Diecast model cars are scale replicas built by injecting molten zinc-alloy ("Zamak") into precision steel dies, then assembled with photo-etched parts, opening doors, bonnets and boots. Resin model cars use polyurethane casting — smoother surface finish, no opening parts, almost always limited production runs of 99 to 1,500 pieces worldwide. Both target adult collectors, not children's toys. Diecast is the broader category (Norev, Minichamps, AUTOart, Solido); resin is the premium niche (GT Spirit, OttOmobile, BBR). Collector scales we stock range from 1:64 (~7 cm, entry-level — Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Greenlight, Tomica) through 1:43 (~10 cm, breadth scale, motorsport grids) and 1:18 (24–28 cm, display centrepiece) up to 1:12 (~50 cm, museum-grade). Choosing between them depends on shelf space, budget and collection focus — see the comparison below.

Manufacturers in our catalogue — quick comparison

Each manufacturer has its own production philosophy, scale focus and licensing relationships. Knowing the manufacturer predicts level of detail, opening parts and run size.

Where to start: Norev for value entry, Minichamps for breadth of motorsport, AUTOart for the engineering benchmark in 1:18, BBR for Ferrari collectors, GT Spirit for bold limited resin, and CMC when budget allows museum-grade — plus Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Greenlight, Tomica and Auto World in 1:64 entry-level, and Maisto, Bburago and Welly in budget 1:18. We carry scales from 1:64 to 1:8, with the broadest catalogue concentrated at 1:18, strong depth at 1:43 (F1, Le Mans, rally grids) and 1:12 museum-grade trophies. Our Used Models segment is a Models118 speciality — hand-picked references from private collectors' collections, individually inspected and graded with full photo documentation, many of them no longer available from authorised distributors.

Which scale should you collect — 1:64 vs 1:43 vs 1:18 vs 1:12?

The right scale depends on shelf space, budget and what you collect — entry-level licensed casts, motorsport grids, single-car centrepieces or museum trophies.

1:18 is the most-collected scale — almost every manufacturer in our catalogue produces 1:18. 1:43 is the breadth scale (50+ models fit in one cabinet) and the only practical scale for full F1 grids or Le Mans classes. 1:12 is the trophy piece — one model anchors a room, runs are typically under 500 worldwide. 1:64 is entry-level — small, affordable, broadly licensed by Hot Wheels, Matchbox and Tomica, and the easiest way to start a themed collection.

Within each scale, weight depends heavily on vehicle type and construction. A 1:18 sports car (AUTOart composite, low and compact) can weigh around 500 g, while a 1:18 large SUV or van (Norev Mercedes V-Class, Almost Real Land Rover Defender, GT Spirit Land Rover) reaches 2–2.5 kg. The same 4–5× spread applies in every scale — small sports cars at the lower bound, vans, SUVs and buses at the upper.

How to buy at Models118 — stock badges, pre-orders, authenticity, delivery

How our stock badges work

Every product card shows a combination of badges (above the image) and a stock status line (under the price). The badges signal what kind of model it is; the stock line tells you what is actually available right now.

Badges:

• New — added to the catalogue within the last 30 days.
• Sale (−X%) — active discount with the percentage off.
• Pre-order — manufacturer allocation reserved; we ship as soon as the production batch arrives at our warehouse.
• Used — sourced from a private collector's collection, hand-graded with full photo documentation.
• Last one — final piece of this reference left in stock.

Stock status under the price:

• Only X left — between 1 and 5 units remaining. Popular references sell out within days at this level.
• Sold out — production run ended, no longer available from authorised distributors. May reappear in the Used Models segment if a curated private collection arrives.
• Pre-order sub-states — from Slots available through Limited slots, Few left, Only X left! down to Sold out, tracking how much of the manufacturer allocation remains as the production batch closes.

How pre-orders and limited editions work

Pre-orders reserve your specific allocation before manufacturer production closes. Resin limited editions from GT Spirit, OttOmobile and BBR typically run from 99 to 1,500 pieces worldwide and routinely close before delivery. Once a manufacturer confirms allocation, your order locks — but you can cancel any time before that confirmation for a full refund. If a model sells out at Models118 before you order, the Notify Me button on the product page emails you the moment stock returns.

Are Models118 models authentic?

Every model in our catalogue comes from one of two sources. New models are sourced directly from the original manufacturers and their authorised distributors, in factory-sealed packaging — no third-party resellers, no aftermarket reproductions. Used models are hand-picked from private collectors' collections, individually inspected, photographed in our studio and graded before listing. Either way, what you see in the photos is what arrives in the box.

Delivery, returns and payment

We ship to 78 countries across 6 continents from our EU warehouse, with full UK coverage. Every parcel goes out in a custom 5-layer carton with foam padding designed specifically for scale models, with full door-to-door insurance and tracking on every shipment. Couriers include UPS, DHL Paket, FedEx, DPD and InPost (for Poland and parcel-locker delivery); the final courier is chosen at checkout. See full delivery options →

Returns and refunds:

• 14-day return window under EU Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83/UE — open and inspect the model as you would in a retail shop.
• Full refund for models returned in mint packaging with all accessories; partial refund (typically 80%) if packaging is damaged or accessories are missing.
• Retailer covers return shipping for damaged, defective or wrong items; the customer pays for change-of-mind returns.
• Refunds are processed within 5 business days of receiving the returned model. See full return policy →

Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna, Revolut, BLIK, Przelewy24, iDEAL.

Still have questions? Browse the full FAQ → or contact us.