Two in five second-hand cars in the UK could be hiding previous damage, according to new analysis from carVertical seen exclusively by the Express. The data shows that 41.1% of UK vehicles checked in the last year had recorded damage, sometimes including thousands of pounds worth of accident damage picked up under previous owners.
The average value attached to damage records in the latest study was £4,785. Ramūnas Pletkus, data expert at carVertical, said: “The UK may be Europe’s most transparent used-car market, but that does not mean every car on sale has a clean history. Our data shows previous damage on record in more than two in five cars checked.”
Why some damage goes undeclared
Pletkus added: “For buyers, the important thing is not to assume that a tidy-looking car or believable mileage means there is nothing to worry about. Previous damage can affect what a car is really worth.”
Vehicles that have been fixed independently and not through an insurance firm will likely not appear on history checks. This means owners may have conducted out-of-pocket repairs on issues such as cosmetic damage which are then not officially declared.
Seller responsibilities and legal requirements
A private seller is not considered to be a motoring professional, so sellers only need to ensure that they describe and represent the car fairly to any potential buyers. However, sellers are not usually required to volunteer information about a minor or non-write-off accident if the buyer doesn't ask.
This changes if the buyer does ask about the past, with road users usually required to share more detailed information so they do not knowingly mislead a potential owner.
Stricter rules for dealers and advice from the AA
Car dealers have to follow stricter rules, but the current rules do not specify exactly what sort of damage must be declared. The AA previously suggested that owners should not try to intentionally hide damage in an initial advert.
It said: “Do not be shy about showing marks or minor damage. Buyers will appreciate that you are not trying to hide anything, and it can reduce wasted viewings.”
