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Tadas Švenčionis

Used car dealerships are at the heart of the second-hand market, and therefore some of carVertical’s most important clients.

Throughout February and March, we ran a survey to better understand how European dealerships function:

What their relationship with import/export is

How they stay informed about the industry

We received answers from 3 big used car markets in Europe: Italy (63 dealerships), France (61 dealerships), and Poland (54 dealerships). Here’s what we’ve learned.

French buyers favor more expensive vehicles 

Direct purchases from individuals and businesses is the most common source of cars

favor buying from other authorized dealerships.

61% of Polish dealerships buy from online auctions (46% in Italy)

 for dealerships in France, Italy, and Poland.

French dealerships rarely use online auctions to sell cars

 dealerships sell through online auctions

Most Italian dealerships surveyed sell at least a portion of their cars on 

 and even fewer Polish dealerships sell on physical marketplaces 

use online marketplaces to sell some of their cars – this isn’t as much the case in 

Germany is the most common source of cars for all 3 markets, Belgium is second

Polish dealerships offer buyers significantly more information to help sell cars

, including test drives, the ability to conduct a technical inspection, detailed information in adverts, and car history reports

Polish dealerships sell cars the fastest 

Reveal them all! Just enter a VIN code and click the button:

Used cars have dark secrets

Car age, average price, and time to sale: What cars do dealerships sell and how quickly?

The vast majority of cars dealerships sell are either 3-5 years old (50%) or 6-9 years old (33%). Older cars that are 10+ years old only make up 13% of all cars sold. Meanwhile, newer cars (1-2 years old) only make up around 7% of all cars.

The average age of cars sold across the 3 countries is similar: between 5.8-6.3 years.

However, there are significant differences in the average car price. French buyers favor more expensive vehicles (30,000 EUR average) than Polish buyers (21,300 EUR average). Italians, who generally favor smaller cars, tend to buy cheaper – 17,400 EUR average.

Across the 3 countries, more than half of the cars sold by dealerships are in the 10,000-20,000 EUR range. With that said, a significant percentage of buyers (31%) prefer more expensive cars valued between 20,000-50,000 EUR.

Although the difference is small, French dealerships tend to sell the slowest at 5.6 weeks per car. This is understandable given the higher average price. It’s more surprising that Polish dealerships sell faster (4.9 weeks) than Italian dealerships (5.3 weeks), despite the latter dealing in cheaper cars.

Overall, dealerships sell most of their cars (91%) in 1 month (35%), 2-3 months (28%), or 1-3 weeks (28%).

Dealerships buy cars from various sources, with the most common among the 3 countries being direct purchases from individuals and businesses. However, there are also differences from country to country:

Other authorized dealerships are a significant source of cars from French dealers – almost half (48%) of the surveyed businesses get some of their cars from other dealerships. Relatively few dealers (38%) in France reported buying from online auctions.

These tendencies are different in Poland, where 61% of dealerships buy from online auctions, and Italy (46%). With that said, authorized dealerships are also a significant source of cars for Italian dealerships (41% of businesses) and Poland (albeit less so – 26%).

Online marketplaces are the 3rd most common source of cars for dealerships in France, Italy, and Poland.

When it comes to selling, the French and Italians are again reluctant to use online auctions, whereas they are the most common way to sell for Polish dealerships (69% of businesses).

Instead, French and Italian dealerships rely heavily on online marketplaces (86% and 73% of businesses respectfully). Italian dealerships also favor physical car marketplaces, with 67% of businesses using them for sales.

Europe is a huge used car market, so it’s no surprise that many dealerships in France, Italy, and Poland import and export their cars.

80% of French dealerships buy from other countries. The percentage is a little lower in Poland (70%), and Italy (56%).

Fewer dealerships export: 43% of French dealerships, 48% of Italian, and 59% of Polish dealerships.

It’s no surprise that Germany is the biggest exporter to all 3 markets, but somewhat unexpectedly Belgium is the second-most-common exporter:

: 72% buying from Germany, 49% from Belgium

Among the other popular origins of used cars are the 

Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Austria, France, and Spain

While all these markets are some of the safer ones according to our Transparency Index, there are still significant risks for dealerships. For example, based on carVertical data, 22.77% of cars in Germany are damaged. Meanwhile, a massive 9.96% of Swedish cars have a clocked mileage (at an average of 97,486 km clocked per car).

These are all risks dealerships can often avoid with a carVertical vehicle history report. Currently, approximately 7 of 10 dealerships use history checks before buying cars for resale. A larger percentage of Italian dealerships perform technical inspections (a more expensive/time consuming task) than history checks.

Avoid costly problems by checking a vehicle's history. Get a report instantly!

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Germany is also the preferred export destination for dealerships in all 3 countries.

As our statistics show, there are significant dangers when buying used cars both for dealerships and their customers. While the risk mitigation methods when buying cars for resale are similar across the board, our research shows a stark contrast in how dealerships in France/Italy and Poland drive sales.

Polish dealerships offer a lot more information to buyers

 than their French and Italian counterparts. For example, an overwhelming majority of dealerships in Poland:

Include detailed information (including visual) in their adverts (70%)

Only a small part of French and Italian dealerships offer any of the above to their customers. For example, 

only 6% of Italian dealerships provide a car history report to their customers (9% in France)

There are many variables deciding why Polish dealerships sell cars faster (4.9 weeks) than Italian (5.3 weeks) and French (5.6 weeks) dealerships. However, our own analysis shows that giving buyers more information about cars builds trust and helps dealerships sell faster.

Recently, we ran a practical test with Autojuta, one of the biggest dealerships in Eastern Europe. We had them put up 2 identical ads for the same car, with only 1 difference: one of the ads had a carVertical car history report and Trust badge. The ad with the badge and report got 21% more clicks.

Surprisingly, all 3 countries seem to acknowledge the usefulness of car history reports when buying a car. They’re one of the main risk mitigation tools across the board: 72% French, 63% Italian, 77% Polish dealerships use history reports.

Research: What cars do European dealerships sell and how?

Karolis Bareckas

Car mileage across different markets can vary significantly. Mileage is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a car, and knowing how far people in your country drive per year can help you keep an eye out for potential odometer rollbacks.

So where do people drive the most (and the least)?

Our team has dug into car data to determine the number of kilometers cars travel per year in different European countries and the US.

A well-maintained and undamaged car is the most reliable! Check any VIN code to make sure you're not buying a wreck:

Looking for a reliable car?

Cars from the Netherlands drive the most kilometers per year

Among the vehicles checked on carVertical, those 

from the Netherlands had the highest average annual mileage – 29,851 km

, followed by cars from Spain (29,017 km), Denmark (27,346 km), Belgium (24,308 km), and France (23,775 km).

After only 3-4 years, cars from these countries may have around 100,000 kilometers on the odometer, prompting their owners to sell them and choose a new vehicle.

Higher mileage usually means the car will be worth less

, so drivers often try to sell such vehicles before they depreciate significantly or before the end of their warranty, which is usually valid for 100,000 km.

Importing cars from other European countries is relatively cheap and simple, so the fact of import doesn’t significantly increase the final price of a used car. Therefore, vehicles from Western European countries are often sold to Eastern Europe.

Cars from America have the lowest mileage – but only due to damages

Surprisingly, the lowest mileage was recorded in cars imported from the US – 16,941 km. This doesn’t mean that Americans drive less than people in other countries, but because 

most vehicles imported from the US arrive in Europe heavily damaged

. Otherwise, car dealers wouldn’t find it profitable to resell them.

The annual mileage of vehicles driving on Latvian roads is the lowest in Europe

 – 17,420 km. Cars travel a bit more in neighboring Estonia (17,501 km) and Lithuania (17,980 km). Poland also belongs to this exclusive club of low-mileage countries – 17,925 km, followed by Switzerland – 19,151 km.

Even though cars in Latvia travel shorter distances annually than in Western Europe, after 10 years, such a car's mileage is still likely to exceed 170,000 km.

A car with low mileage at a low price – sounds too good to be true?

you should be extremely cautious about vehicles with low mileage at an attractive price

. Dishonest sellers often adjust the odometer readings to earn more money.

likelihood of buying a car with clocked mileage significantly increases when purchasing a vehicle imported from abroad

. Since countries don’t exchange car data, dishonest individuals are much more likely to get away with fraud. As a result, many cars with a falsified mileage – often more than once – enter local markets from foreign countries.

Before meeting with the seller, you should check the car's history

 and determine if its mileage is genuine. This will not only save you a lot of time but also prevent disappointment later on. When buying a used car, it’s also necessary to take a test drive and have the vehicle checked at an authorized service center.

Our research analyzed car history reports obtained by the company’s users. To determine the annual mileage, we examined the mileage records of all vehicles checked in that specific country and calculated the average. All data is derived from our vehicle history reports.

Research: In which countries do people drive the most kilometers per year?

Car preferences in different parts of Europe vary – the same model may be desired in one country but ignored in another. Climate, urbanization, purchasing power, infrastructure, and the local automotive industry are among the factors influencing the popularity of specific models in different countries.

So which models did people check on carVertical the most? We analyzed thousands of history reports to find the favorites across 15 markets.

 was the most popular model on carVertical in 2023.

9 of 10 most popular cars are from German manufacturers: 

 is the most searched car brand in the research (14.7% of all checked cars).

 the most – one-quarter of all history checks performed in the country.

The highest average damage value among the cars with the most history checks belongs to the 

German cars still dominate the European market

Volkswagen Golf was the most searched car model across all analyzed countries

 – 4.91% of all history checks performed on carVertical in 2023. The BMW 3 Series is close behind – 4.89%, followed by Volkswagen Passat – 3.75%, BMW 5 Series – 3.68%, and Audi A4 – 3.53%.

Among the top 10 most searched models – 9 belong to German manufacturers: Audi, BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz. With Germany's massive automotive industry feeding the rest of the continent with second-hand cars, this is no surprise. The Czech Skoda is the only non-German brand on the list.

The Volkswagen Golf is the most popular car in Spain, France, Croatia, Serbia, and the UK.

 It has a strong and time-tested reputation in the used car market, starting back in 1974 when the 1st generation Golf was introduced.

There are some exceptions to German dominance, like Czechia, where the native Skoda Octavia takes the top spot with a share of 13.1%. Italians are also faithful to their local automotive industry, with the Fiat 500 being the most searched model on carVertical – 6.7% of all history checks.

Estonians and Lithuanians value the Audi A6 the most, Poles and Romanians – the Audi A4.

BMW leads the list of the most popular car brands

When it comes to the most-investigated car brands, nobody can beat the 

 – 14.7% of all history checks on carVertical. Volkswagen is also a desired car brand with a share of 14.3%, followed by Audi (11.9%), Mercedes-Benz (8.4%), and Ford (5%).

Latvians are the biggest fans of BMW – almost one-quarter of all history checks in the country. Only the British have a similar level of sympathy for BMW vehicles (17.7% of all cars checked), suggesting that the love for beemers extends from one side of the continent to the other.

However, BMW is not a brand that will impress Italians. Among the most popular brands of 2023 in Italy, BMW finishes 11th.

BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen were among the top 10 in most countries

. Whereas Mercedes-Benz is more searched for in Southern Europe, such as Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and some Balkan countries.

Is there a risk when buying a popular car?

When you’re searching for a popular model like the Volkswagen Golf, you’ll face a vast selection of cars. It will also be easy to find spare parts for such a vehicle, and you won’t have any problems selling it after several years of ownership.

wrongdoers know the cars buyers value the most, so they often falsify a vehicle’s history to earn more money

3.6% of all the Golfs checked on carVertical had a clocked mileage. The situation with the BMW 3 Series is even worse – 6.3%. The share of clocked Volkswagen Passat models was 4.7%, BMW 5 Series – 7.6%, and Audi A4 – 4.3%. However, even less popular models are clocked, suggesting buyers should be aware when shopping in the second-hand vehicle market.

Damages among the most searched cars are also common. 

 (48.7%) in the past. This can mean anything from a scratched bumper to structural damages, making a vehicle unsafe to drive.

BMWs attract inexperienced drivers who like to step on the gas pedal too much. It’s no surprise that 64.4% of the 3 Series and 70.5% of the 5 Series had damage records. 52.6% of Passats and 54.6% of A4s were also damaged.

The average damage value among the most searched models varies from 3,385 EUR for the Passat to 4,602 EUR for the 5 Series.

Buying a car with clocked mileage and damages can be avoided

Whether you’re hunting for a popular car like the Volkswagen Golf or something more niche, you should be careful. 

Buying a vehicle with a clocked mileage or hidden damages might mean a lot of money for maintenance and repairs in the long run.

 Not to mention that it may be hard to sell such a car for the price you’ve paid.

Here’s how the whole buying process should look like:

Inspect the car’s description and photos

 on the classified ads portal. The more information the current owner provides about the vehicle’s condition and previous repairs, the better.

 with the same engine and equipment list to understand the price range.

to reveal mileage records, damage history, photos, ownership changes, theft records, and more. Sometimes, you can find the VIN in the ad. If not, ask the owner yourself. A history check saves time, as you don’t need to meet the owner in person. You can check a car’s history and decide whether you should continue or look for another model.

. Try all the gears and listen for any noises coming from the engine compartment and suspension. Head to the highway and see how the car handles at high speeds.

so they can hook up diagnostic tools, check for rust, and inspect the overall condition of the car.

Buying a used car can be exhausting and time-consuming, so some patience is required. However, with the right tools and attitude, you can mitigate the risk of getting a piece of junk.

Our research examined actual car history reports acquired by the company’s users from January 2023 to December 2023. The car brands, models, and relevant statistics were categorized by country, turned into percentages, and ranked. All facts are based on data from our vehicle history reports.

Research: Cars with the most history checks in 2023 revealed

Renata Liubertaitė

Engine power is among the key considerations when buying a car. However, the excitement of driving a powerful vehicle can lead to overlooking the risks that come with it.

Are drivers of powerful cars more likely to get into accidents due to their vehicles’ capabilities?

We analyzed thousands of carVertical history reports globally to determine whether there is a connection between a vehicle’s average engine power and the share of accidents it had been involved in.

Check any VIN to learn a vehicle's history!

Afraid of buying a wreck?

there’s a direct correlation between the average horsepower under the hood and spotted damage history:

more powerful models within all makes have a higher rate of recorded accidents

The highest share of cars with a damage history is seen among 

BMW (68.6%), Tesla (62%), and Audi (55.6%) models

The lowest share of cars with a damage history is found among 

Bentley (415 kW), Maserati (268 kW), and Cadillac (264 kW)

 models have the highest average engine power and damage rates of 53.1%, 45.8%, and 39.4%, respectively.

On the contrary, vehicles from two of the least powerful makes, 

 have the lowest share of damages (19.4% and 13.2%).

BMW (168 kW), Tesla (263 kW), and Hyundai (105 kW)

 lead with the highest overall percentage of cars with damage records among all checked vehicles, reaching 62.2%, 56.07%, and 55.33%, respectively.

Direct correlation between engine power and damage history with no exceptions

within each brand, higher-powered models had a higher share of cars that had been damaged 

compared to their less-powerful counterparts. The difference between the least and most damaged models across all makes varies from 1.02 to 1.42 times.

For instance, over half (53.6%) of Tesla vehicles with 100-200 kW engines have a recorded accident history, and 

the frequency of damage records increases with higher engine power.

 The damage rate among Tesla models with 200-300 kW under the hood is 55.6%, among Teslas with 300-400 kW engines – 58.3%, whereas a whopping 62% of 400+ kW Tesla cars have damage records.

Research

Research: What cars do European dealerships sell and how?

Research: In which countries do people drive the most kilometers per year?

Research: Cars with the most history checks in 2023 revealed

Research: Do powerful engines lead to more accidents?

Research: The most surprising used car market facts of 2023

Research: Penalties for odometer fraud and how they (don’t) work

Most clocked cars 2023: which models are more likely to have their odometer altered?

Most damaged cars 2023: which vehicles get into accidents the most?

Research: What is the average mileage of the most popular car brands?

Research: How does odometer fraud inflate the value of a used car?

Research: Is buying older cars riskier due to clocking and damages?

Research: Local or imported cars – which have more mileage rollbacks?

Research: Which cars sell quick (and which go slow)?

Introducing carVertical’s Market Transparency Index for 2022

Research: Car colors and why they matter

Which cars suffer from depreciation the most?

Research: What countries have the highest percentage of cars with a fake mileage?

Most clocked cars revealed: The domination of premium German cars

The most and least damaged cars in Europe revealed

Mileage fraud can illegally inflate the value of a used car by 25%

The most clocked cars revealed by carVertical

The most reliable car brands according to carVertical