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Karolis Bareckas

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.

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?

 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.

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

Check your VIN

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.

Out of all cars checked on carVertical, BMW vehicles with engines starting from 400 kW “lead” with a staggering 68.6% of damaged models. However, BMW models with engines of up to 100 kW are not that far behind – 60.3% of such BMWs checked on carVertical have been involved in accidents.

The tendency remains even among makers of less-powerful cars

 For example, while 13% of Lancia models with engines of up to 100 kW are damaged, this number increases to 13.8% for its models with 100-200 kW engines.

BMW leads with the highest share of damaged cars, followed by Tesla and Bentley

The graph below shows that makers of some of the most powerful vehicles also tend to have the highest damage rates, which proves the direct connection between average engine power and accident history.

For instance, BMW, which has an average engine power of 168 kW, ranks at the top of the 

 list. On average, a mind-boggling 62.27% of this German manufacturer’s vehicles checked on carVertical have been in an accident. In other words, there are 

over 6 in 10 chances of purchasing a car with potentially concealed damage

Of all checked Teslas (with an average engine power of 263 kW), 56.07% have damage records, and so do 53.1% of Bentley (avg. 415 kW) vehicles. Audi (avg. 157 kW) follows the pack with an average of 48.27% damaged cars, while Maserati (avg. 268 kW) models have a damage rate of 45.81%.

Smart with the lowest average engine power has some of the least damages

Although the research showed that used vehicle buyers check higher-powered cars more often, small cars with lower engine power are also inspected on carVertical.

Some cars with the lowest average engine power have significantly fewer damage records than higher-powered vehicles. For instance, one of the least powerful vehicle brands checked, Lancia, has 

less than 4 times the share of damaged cars

Smart, which boasts the lowest average engine power among all checked brands, exhibits an average damage rate of 

Dacia (72 kW) and Suzuki (86 kW) cars are exceptions to the rule – they rank among the vehicles with the lowest average engine power.

To determine the correlation between average engine power and the share of cars with spotted damage history, we analyzed thousands of vehicles checked on carVertical worldwide. The data was collected from vehicle history reports, organized by car brand and average engine power values, and ranked accordingly.

Doing so allowed us to spot patterns and prevailing trends related to vehicle damage history among higher-powered and least-powerful vehicles from 43 automakers.

Concealed damage can turn car ownership into a nightmare

Concealed damage refers to any damage that exists on a car but is not disclosed or apparent upon inspection. Even if a car has been repaired, structural damage and mechanical issues can still linger, therefore, the occurrence of an accident should be disclosed when selling a used vehicle.

Otherwise, such damage can not only lead to unexpected and expensive repairs but also compromise the vehicle's safety. Not to mention decreased resale value and the stress that comes with buying a car in worse condition than you’d expected.

To prevent this from happening, it’s important to 1) get a vehicle history report and 2) have a car professionally inspected to determine whether damages (if any) may impact its long-term use.

A vehicle history report can help you learn more about the car you plan to buy and identify its potential weak spots, as they can reveal damage and mileage records, financial and legal status, ownership and title changes, and more.

Therefore, you can gain valuable insights into the car’s condition even before meeting the seller or taking the car to a professional mechanic.

Once you’re there, use the facts you have to your advantage – ask questions and shed some light on issues that concern you. This will help you mitigate the risks associated with concealed damage and make more informed decisions when purchasing a used car.

Research: Do powerful engines lead to more accidents?

A year is a long time in the used car market. Can you imagine how many damaged cars, rolled back kilometers, and stolen vehicles carVertical saw over the last 12 months?

Our team has looked at the stats from 26 countries and hand-picked the most interesting automotive facts of 2023. From popular vehicle colors to mileage fraud statistics – here's a glance at the current situation in the second-hand car market.

Don't risk your safety - check it with carVertical first

Looks can be deceiving!

€250,000 – the highest damage value recorded on carVertical (Lamborghini Huracan).

€4.4 billion – the total damages aggregated in our history reports.

7.7 billion – the total number of clocked kilometers.

450,000 km – the biggest mileage rollback seen on carVertical.

14.7% – the share of the most checked car brand on the platform (BMW).

Half of BMW cars had been damaged in the past

In 2023, 1.78 million damage events were spotted on carVertical, up from 1.4 million in the previous year.

The highest damage value belongs to a Lamborghini Huracan, which suffered damages worth €250,000. It was not a good year for Lamborghini owners, as an Aventador took the 2nd place with €218,126 in damages. These Lamborghinis are followed by a Porsche GT3, which had damages worth €202,975.

The total value of damages of all vehicles checked on carVertical in 2023 exceeds €4.4 billion. In 2022, this number was €5.1 billion.

Unsurprisingly, BMW is the most damaged brand on the platform, with 48.4% of all checked cars having damage records. Audi (43.9%), Skoda (43.7%), Dacia (43.5%), and Lexus (42.4%) are not very far behind. On average, 39.3% of all used vehicles checked on the platform had been damaged, suggesting that the chances of buying a car with hidden issues are pretty high.

Premium-class German cars seem to attract thieves the most

Every year, many stolen vehicles are spotted on carVertical. Of course, this isn’t to say anything about the actual number of stolen cars – they rarely make it to the used vehicle market. Mostly, they’re disassembled and sold for parts.

BMW cars are the most desired among thieves, with 17.7% of all stolen vehicles checked belonging to this German manufacturer. Mercedes-Benz (15.3%) and Audi (12%) models also attract wrongdoers, so premium vehicle owners should be cautious. We also spotted some stolen Ford (6.1%) and Volkswagen (5.4%) vehicles.

Most stolen cars were manufactured between 2016 and 2019 – 5-7 year old vehicles are highly desired in the used car market. Most of the stolen cars were produced in 2016 – 12.4%. However, this doesn’t mean that people owning older cars should be careless – thieves target vehicles of any age.

Of all vehicles checked on carVertical in 2023, 7.5% had been clocked. This means that 1 out of 12 cars in the market may have an altered odometer, costing buyers and governments billions in fees, repair costs, and taxes.

In total, we recorded 7.7 billion clocked kilometers – a slight increase from 7.4 billion in the previous year. For reference, the distance from Earth to Pluto is only around 5.4 billion kilometers.

The biggest mileage rollback of the year belongs to one particular Volvo V70 – its mileage was “improved” by a staggering 450,000 kilometers. It had definitely been around the block a few times! However, no one was able to beat the Toyota Rav 4 with 993,000 km on the odometer. At the moment of writing the article, this car has probably already passed the 1,000,000 km mark – an impressive number for any machine.

Certain vehicle brands are more susceptible to mileage fraud. 14.3% of all Opel cars had been clocked, making it the most risky brand. Opel is followed by Jeep (12.8%), Land Rover (11.4%), Lexus (10.8%), and Porsche (10.5%).

Mileage rollbacks become more prevalent as cars get older. 13.8% of all cars manufactured in 1995 had a clocked mileage, making this the riskiest model year to buy. Cars manufactured between 2012 and 2016 also see a lot of odometer tampering (their clocking rates are around 11%).

The Volkswagen Golf was the most checked car in 2023

When it comes to the favorite vehicles by carVertical users, BMW takes the crown with a share of 14.7%. This means 1 out 7 cars checked belonged to this manufacturer. Volkswagen (14.3%), Audi (11.9%), Mercedes-Benz (8.4%), and Ford (5%) are also popular choices.

The most desired model on carVertical in 2023 was the Volkswagen Golf (accountable for 4.91% of all history checks). The BMW 3 Series (4.89%), Volkswagen Passat (3.8%), BMW 5 Series (3.7%), and Audi A4 (3.5%) are also popular among used car buyers.

While drivers have different car color preferences, black (29.6%), gray (26.6%), and white (18.8%) have dominated the market. The share of extravagant colors like green, purple, or yellow rarely exceeds 1%.

The study analyzed information from 26 different countries: the UK, USA, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Hungary, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Australia, and Mexico. All facts are based on data from our vehicle history reports.

Don’t want to end up in these statistics? Check a car’s history with carVertical

Behind every statistic in this article, there may be a car in bad condition, and an unsuspecting buyer ready to buy it. It doesn’t have to be like this!

Checking a car’s history may reveal mileage discrepancies, damages, theft records, and more. This helps you decide whether a vehicle you’re interested in is actually worth the bargain. If a car has suffered severe damage in the past or its mileage has been altered by thousands of kilometers, it’s best to walk away.

You can check as many cars on carVertical as you need, exclude the ones in bad condition and only test-drive those with a clean history.

Research: The most surprising used car market facts of 2023

Odometer tampering is still one of the biggest concerns in the used car market.

For buyers, the repercussions of this shady practice can be financially devastating, as they pay 

 for what may seem like low-mileage gems. Meanwhile, governments are left scratching their heads, figuring out how to protect consumers, maintain the integrity of the automotive industry, and stop losing millions in taxes and uncollected fines.

Part of the issue is that mileage rollbacks are an international issue, but the solutions are localized and often inadequate. To illustrate the extent of the problem, we conducted research on clocking penalties across 21 European countries and the US.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The contents may not be up-to-date with the latest legal developments. We include third-party website links for convenience and information, but we’re not responsible for their content or accuracy. We are not liable for any actions taken based on this article’s information.

Our research shows that there’s no unified legal system across countries that could prevent “clocking” and mitigate information asymmetry between car buyers and sellers:

The attitude towards odometer fraud varies significantly across countries – from enormous fines and even jail time to just a hundred euros or nothing at all.

The highest fines for odometer clocking are recorded in France (up to EUR 300,000), while in Romania, although odometer tampering is illegal, there is no clearly defined penalty for it.

Imprisonment for odometer fraud is possible in 16 out of 22 analyzed countries, with Croatia leading with the highest possible sentence of all countries studied (up to 8 years).

Latvia has the highest clocking rate among selected countries (12.92%), which shows a clear correlation with lenient laws.

Odometer fraud appears to be more common in Eastern Europe than in the West.

Buyers tend to overpay thousands of euros for clocked cars, while governments lose millions in uncollected fines.

Penalties for odometer tampering vary significantly across countries

Falsified mileage readings are treated with different degrees of severity based on local legislation and enforcement practices. While some countries impose hefty fines, imprisonment, or both for fraudsters caught manipulating odometers, others have more lenient penalties or even lack specific laws targeting this issue.

For instance, Poland has one of the strictest 

 regulating odometer fraud of all analyzed countries. Clocking vehicles is illegal, and doing so can lead to 

. In less severe cases, the offender might end up with a fine or be placed on probation for up to 2 years.

Additionally, car owners who don’t report odometer replacement at a vehicle inspection station can receive a fine of PLN 3,000 (nearly EUR 700).

, altering the odometer may cost the fraudster 

. Upon repeat, the fine can be up to twice as high, and the individual may be 

 has the highest fines for odometer tampering among selected countries, going 

. However, this mainly applies to legal entities, as individuals are subjected to pay compensation and damage costs. Repeat offenders face more severe penalties, leading to 

Although Croatia considers mileage rollbacks fraud (which can carry a sentence of up to 8 years in prison), there is no 

 also don’t have a dedicated law that punishes clockers. This offense mainly falls under other fraudulent activities and scams, which can lead to fines or prison time. 

 regulating clocking are pretty mild. A fine for reducing a car’s mileage is 

Research

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