Consumers buying used cars in Italy face a high risk of purchasing a vehicle with serious, hidden damage. According to analyses by Italian media, as many as one in twelve, or about 8% of used cars, were previously involved in serious accidents. The problem mainly concerns vehicles imported from other countries, and concealing a vehicle's history is becoming an increasingly common practice that can result in serious technical and financial problems for buyers.
Scale of the Market Problem
Italians estimate that about 8% (one in twelve) of used vehicles in circulation were involved in serious road incidents. Consequently, many unsuspecting buyers may come across so-called 'lemon' cars, i.e., vehicles with hidden damage. This phenomenon is particularly dangerous as it can lead to unexpected breakdowns and high repair costs.
Main Cause: Imported Wrecks
The key source of the problem are cars imported from other countries that were previously seriously damaged, then repaired and sold without disclosing their full history. Such a practice deprives the buyer of awareness of the vehicle's actual technical condition, which can result in serious safety consequences. Border control mechanisms may be insufficient to eliminate this practice.
Risk for Consumers and Recommendations
Automotive market experts warn that purchasing such a vehicle is not only a matter of financial risk but, above all, a threat to the safety of the driver and passengers. They recommend particular caution, thoroughly checking the vehicle's history using available registries, and having it inspected by a trusted mechanic before finalizing the transaction.
The Italian used car market is grappling with a serious problem of vehicles with hidden, major damage. It is estimated that as many as one in eight, or about 8% of cars sold, may have been involved in a serious accident in the past, a history concealed from the potential buyer. This rate, translating to one vehicle in twelve, indicates the scale of practices that mislead consumers. The phenomenon is referred to in the local press as „bidone”, which can be translated as „wreck” or „lemon”. It is associated not only with financial risk but, above all, with a threat to the safety of road traffic participants. The main source of the problem are cars imported from other countries, which after serious collisions are repaired and then introduced into circulation on the Italian market without disclosing their full history. In practice, this means a buyer may acquire a vehicle whose structural frame (the so-called chassis frame) was previously damaged, and the repair may not have restored its original strength properties. Experts emphasize that border control mechanisms may be insufficient to catch all such cases, making the trade in these vehicles a lucrative business for dishonest sellers. Problems with dishonest practices in the automotive market, especially the used car market, are not a new phenomenon. For years, consumer organizations worldwide, including in Poland, have warned against buying so-called cars from the USA, which may have extensive but undisclosed histories of accident or flood damage. The development of cross-border vehicle trade within the European Union has facilitated the flow of cars but has simultaneously complicated tracking their full history, which dishonest intermediaries exploit. Italian journalists point out that victims of such practices expose themselves to unforeseen, high repair costs, which can far exceed the value of the vehicle itself. Furthermore, driving a vehicle with a weakened structural frame poses a direct threat to life, as in the event of another collision, safety systems may not function correctly. Therefore, buyers are advised to exercise extreme caution. It is crucial to thoroughly check the vehicle's history using available accident and repair databases and to commission a comprehensive technical inspection by an independent, trusted mechanic before signing a contract. The lack of such actions exposes the consumer to serious financial and personal losses.