France study finds 68.5% of imported used cars have prior damage

A carVertical study of used‑car data in France between January 2025 and March 2026 shows that imported vehicles are 2.6 times more likely to have a recorded damage history than cars that have only circulated domestically. The analysis recorded damage on 68.5 % of imported cars versus 25.9 % of French‑only vehicles, and found that imported cars account for about 30 % of the used‑car market in France.

Experts note that cross‑border imports often lose their original service records, making mileage fraud and hidden structural repairs possible. Consumer attitudes reflect this risk: 84.9 % of respondents say damage history is a crucial buying factor, 76.2 % would refuse a severely accident‑damaged car even if repaired, and 50.4 % are willing to pay extra for a vehicle they are certain has never been in an accident.