what are the risks?

If you want to import a used car, be aware that this method is not without risks. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

If you are looking for a used cardifficult to find the right shoe for you: in fact, for several years, good deals have become increasingly rare on the used vehicle market in France…

A wide choice of used cars in Europe

The temptation is then great to find your happiness, for example, on the other side of the Rhine, especially if you are fond of German cars. The used car market in Europe is in fact one of the largest in the world, and opens up more opportunities, especially since the administrative procedures for import a used car are relatively simple.
Furthermore, you can even come across a used car imported into France without necessarily knowing it: in fact, according to the company specializing in automobile data carVertical, which carried out a study on the subject, 80% of professionals selling used cars in France obtain their supplies abroadby importing vehicles which they will then resell in France.
The main countries from which these automotive professionals source are Germany (72%), Belgium (49%), the Netherlands (36%), Sweden (28%) and Italy (25%). ). Be aware, however, that this method is not always without risks.

The risks of importing a used car

In fact, there exists different risks depending on the origin of your used car: for example, vehicles fromGermany often have high mileage. This is why, according to carVertical data, 2.3% of cars imported from Germany to France have suffered odometer fraud, allowing their displayed mileage to be reduced, and 78.3% have experienced accidents or suffered damage.
In Belgiumthe sale of a used car must be accompanied by a “Car-Pass”, an official certificate allowing the evolution of the mileage to be monitored, helping to reduce the risk of meter fraud. However, this system is not infallible, and 3.1% of Belgian cars checked still show changes in mileage, while 90.9% of them suffered damage.
The problems are identical in other countries of origin very popular with importers, for example with used cars imported from The Netherlands (2.7% mileage fraud and 74.5% accident history), Suede (2.1% mileage fraud and 7.5% accident history) or evenItaly (4.1% mileage fraud and 20.7% accident history).

To avoid making a mistake when making your purchase, it is essential to request thecomplete history of a used car: you will be able to follow the evolution of its mileage, as well as its repairs already carried out. Vehicle history data sites, like carVertical, can also be of great help in your research.