- Luxury German makes among the most likely to have skeletons in the closet
Buying a second-hand car can be a nerve-racking experience with many fearing they’ll be ripped off.
Whether it’s concerns about buying a dud that’s been poorly looked after by the previous owner, a motor that’s been clocked, stolen or written off, or a vehicle with outstanding finance, a used car can have a variety of hidden secrets the seller might not want to divulge.
Fortunately, vehicle history checking services can provide a safety net for buyers so they can buy with confidence.
These companies run specialist background reports on second-hand cars to ensure they don’t have any of the previously mentioned skeletons in their closet.
One of these providers is CarVertical, which has analysed car history checks carried out last year to reveal which brands typically have clean records – and which don’t.
And the findings will raise alarm bells for motorists considering a used luxury German car, which are among the brands most likely to have a checkered history.
CarVertical has analysed vehicle history checks carried out last year to see which brands are most and least likely to have a checkered history. Here’s how they rank…
Second-hand Hondas typically have the cleanest backgrounds, according to the analysis
Hondas has the best record among the UK’s leading car brands with the fewest red flags raised, according to the analysis of almost 100,000 history reports conducted last year.
Nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of the used motors from the Japanese brands had a clean history record when CarVertical ran background checks on thousands of Hondas in 2024.
It was narrowly ahead of fellow Japanese rival Toyota (70 per cent) and Volvo (70 per cent).
Minis (69 per cent), Porsches (69 per cent) and Peugeots (67 per cent) make up the top five cleanest car brands, with more impressive history records than most other cars.
However, at the opposite end of the scale is the trio of luxury German brands that are hugely popular in Britain.
Audi (56 per cent), Mercedes-Benz (59 per cent), BMW (61 per cent) and Volkswagen (62 per cent) ranked among the least likely to have clean histories of the top 20 manufacturers analysed, suggesting a premium badge doesn’t guarantee it will have a polished record.
This is more worrying by the fact that VW last year was the most popular brand among new car buyers in Britain, followed by BMW in second, Audi in third and Mercedes in sixth.
Kia rounds out the bottom five manufacturers with used cars showing blotted histories, with only 58 per cent having clean backgrounds when checked by CarVertical last year.
Matas Buzelis from the history checking provider said: ‘A vehicle’s history can highlight potential risks or warning signs for buyers to be aware of.
‘Dishonest sellers often try to mask damage, hide defects and falsify mileage in an effort to maximise their profits.
‘This practice can be more common with more stylish and expensive vehicles as there is more money to be made.
‘But with many people dreaming of owning a premium car, there is a risk that buyers prioritise price over due diligence, and look beyond a vehicle’s history in favour of getting what they think is a good deal.
‘Unfortunately, once hidden defects start to emerge, owners may face surprise and unexpected costs, with major repairs driving up ownership expenses unpredictably.
‘To ensure a vehicle remains reliable for years to come, buyers should always check its history report, take it for a thorough test drive, and have it inspected by a trusted professional.
‘The last thing you want is the excitement of owning a new car giving way to frustration and disappointment.’