Identified the most and least damaged European cars in the aftermarket
Content
One of the most important goals when considering buying a used car is figuring out if it has had an accident or not. After damage to the car body, its rigidity is weakened, which makes further accidents more dangerous and harmful for the car and its passengers. Only a small percentage of drivers invest in proper body repair after an accident. Most often, repairs are performed cheap and of poor quality, the only purpose of which is to sell a car.
The likelihood of acquiring a car that has an accident depends on its make and model. While many drivers are looking for a modern and reliable vehicle, younger and less experienced drivers often focus on the power, sportiness and overall image of the vehicle, rather than active and passive safety features.
We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the results of the latest studies that relate to the purchase of which car models in the secondary market there is a high probability of buying broken vehicles.
Research methodology
Data source: Research is based on vehicle history reports created by customers using the platform carVertical... The platform provides vehicle history data using VIN numbers that reveal every accident the vehicle has been involved in, any damaged parts, and how much any repairs cost, and much more.
Study period: from June 2020 to June 2021.
Sample data: Analyzed nearly 1 million vehicle history reports.
Countries included: Poland, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Russia, Belarus, France, Lithuania, Ukraine, Latvia, Italy, Germany.
TOP 5 most damaged cars
The table below lists the five European car brands that carVertical has reported as having the highest risk of damage. Pay attention to the most frequently damaged models. All cars have different characteristics and are popular among drivers with different financial capabilities and preferences.
The study shows Lexus is in first place. The cars of this brand are reliable, but powerful at the same time, so drivers often misjudge their driving skills, which can end in disaster. The same goes for cars with Jaguar and BMW brands. For example, the sporty BMW 3 Series and Jaguar XF are relatively cheap cars for their type, but too agile for some.
Subaru comes in second, demonstrating that even four-wheel drive systems cannot always protect against difficult situations. Those who buy a Subaru usually spend their holidays in the countryside. Their sophisticated all-wheel drive (AWD) systems are capable of handling almost any road condition, but when forest or country roads are covered with ice or mud, even at safe speeds, you can't always stop quickly enough.
And then there's Dacia, one of the cheapest car brands in the world. Under this brand, budget cars are produced for those who prioritize their budget. Because of its affordability, Dacias are often used as workhorses, so accidents can happen due to lack of proper care.
TOP 5 least damaged cars
The table below shows the five European car brands that are least likely to be damaged according to carVertical's reports. It is striking that even here the percentages are relatively high; there are no car brands with a lower percentage, because even where there is only one road accident culprit, more than one vehicle is most often involved.
These results show that the attractiveness of the brand and the performance of the vehicle affect the likelihood of an accident. For example, Fiat only makes compact cars. Citroen and Peugeot mainly offer inexpensive cars with engines of about 74-110 kW. These characteristics rarely meet the needs of those seeking sporty driving and overspeeding.
10 countries with the highest percentage of damaged cars
During the study, carVertical analyzed vehicle history reports from various European countries. The results in the table show which countries have the highest percentage of damaged vehicles.
Poland;
Lithuania;
Slovakia;
Czech Republic;
Hungary;
Romania;
Croatia;
Latvia;
Ukraine;
Russia.
This variation is likely a result of the different driving habits and economic levels of countries. Those who live in countries with higher gross domestic product (GDP) can afford newer vehicles on average. And when it comes to those countries where wages are lower, then, most likely, cheap and sometimes damaged cars will be imported from abroad.
The habits and needs of drivers also influence these statistics. However, previous research into this issue has been limited. This is due to the fact that some markets do not have online data, which means that insurance companies have very little digital information about car damage and passenger characteristics.
Hack and predictor Aviator
Nowadays, road accidents are an integral part of traffic, which is becoming more serious every year. Text messages, calls, food, drinking water - drivers are doing more and more diverse activities that sooner or later lead to traffic accidents. Moreover, the engines are becoming more powerful, and humanity is already almost at the limit of its multitasking capabilities while driving.
Correctly repairing a car after an accident is often very expensive, so not everyone can afford it. It is necessary to restore the original rigidity of the body, replace the airbags and the like. Many drivers find cheaper and less secure options. This is why there is an increase in the number of dangerous used cars on the roads today.
