Don't call it a "second choice": 5 benefits of buying a used car

Transparency note: This press release was originally published in Italian. The text has been machine translated. You can find the original press release here.

From checking a vehicle's history to avoid unpleasant surprises to the wide variety of models available, CARFAX highlights why the used-car market can be a smart choice.

Milan, 18 September 2026 - When the time comes to change cars or buy one for the first time, almost every consumer faces the same dilemma: new or used? The choice may depend on several factors: available budget, mobility needs or how long the buyer plans to keep the vehicle. But viewing a used car merely as a fallback option when budgets are tight means overlooking some of the tangible advantages this market can offer - advantages that may make it preferable to buying new.

"A used car should not be seen as a second choice, but as an option to be assessed using the same criteria as any major investment: by knowing what you are buying," says Marco Arban, Business Development Director Europe at CARFAX. "Today, used-car buyers have access to far more information than in the past. A report providing a vehicle's history - and, in particular, whether it has sustained damage or been involved in accidents – helps ensure transparency in the market while also enabling consumers to reduce uncertainty, identify potential risk factors that warrant further investigation and enter negotiations better informed. The goal is not simply to find the cheapest car, but the one that offers the best balance of price, condition and value, ensuring that an opportunity does not turn into an unpleasant surprise after purchase."

To mark the 2009 established Day of the Used Car, CARFAX, an international leader in vehicle history information, debunks the most common misconceptions about used cars and highlights five key reasons why this market can be the smart choice:

1) "Used" does not mean "old": it means more choice (far more than you might think)

Automatically associating "used" with "dated" does not reflect the reality of a market characterized by a wide variety of vehicles and models, including recent models suited to every need. Listings include, for example, many hybrid and electric cars, as well as pre-registered ("zero-kilometre") vehicles.

The presence of hybrid and electric vehicles is set to grow further: according to CARFAX data*, although diesel continued to account for the largest share (43%, down from 47% in 2025), this summer there was a significant increase in checks on hybrid vehicles (13%, compared with 9% in 2025) and electric vehicles (2%, compared with 1% in 2025).

“Zero-kilometre" cars, moreover, can be an ideal solution for those looking to combine excellent value for money with minimal wear: they have already been registered, generally have very low mileage and are therefore typically offered at a lower price than an equivalent new car, while remaining in near-new condition.

Finally, many recent used cars on the market may still be covered by the manufacturer's original warranty or by additional warranties offered by dealers.

2) Avoiding the steepest depreciation

A second-hand car that is at least one year old - and therefore may still be relatively new - has already passed the period of fastest depreciation.

As soon as a new car leaves the dealership and is put on the road, it automatically loses 10% of its value. By the end of the first year of use, it loses a further 10%. This means that a vehicle loses around 20% of its market value in the first year alone. Depreciation can even reach 50% for makes or models that are less "attractive" to the market. On average, a new car loses 60% of its total value in the first five years.

3) Greater price flexibility and value when buying

One of the best-known advantages of used cars is their affordability, which in many cases can also mean getting more for the same budget. With the same amount to spend, the used-car market can give buyers access to models from higher market segments, with more space, richer equipment, a more powerful engine or greater comfort than would be possible when buying new.

Another equally important aspect is that used cars give buyers more room to negotiate and agree a lower price than the seller's initial asking price, especially in direct transactions between private individuals.

With all these advantages, a consumer who opts for a used car may often be able to pay for the car in full upfront, without committing to financing and taking on the associated interest rates, which can be high.

4) Buying used with confidence: knowing the car's history (and any previous damage) helps prevent unpleasant surprises and strengthens your negotiating position

Buying a used car does not mean taking a leap into the unknown without knowing its history under previous owners. It is possible to learn about a vehicle's history, reducing risks and enabling a more informed decision, particularly when assessing wear and tear and checking for previous damage or accidents, including issues that may not be immediately visible.

To a less attentive or experienced eye, a car may appear to be in excellent condition even if it has previously been involved in an accident or suffered damage, because it was subsequently repaired. Vehicles of this type are commonly found on the used-car market, where they are available in significant numbers. For this reason, in addition to carefully inspecting the vehicle and taking a test drive in person, it is also important to check the information available on its history using platforms that collect and make available information on damage and accidents, providing an additional basis for assessment before purchase.

Knowing about previous damage can first of all help identify and rule out these cars that may have issues that are not immediately visible. But there is more: vehicle history information can also become a practical tool during negotiations, providing objective evidence to assess whether the asking price is consistent with the condition of the car and, where appropriate, negotiate accordingly.

In conclusion, an informed approach to buying used starts with a simple rule: do not stop at what you see in the listing or at a first impression; gather all available information before making a decision.

5) Lower insurance and ancillary costs

The economic advantage of a used car does not end with the purchase price. The costs associated with running the vehicle can also be lower.

A vehicle that has been in circulation for several years may benefit from wider availability of lower-cost spare parts and a greater choice of original, equivalent or remanufactured components, helping to reduce the cost of repairs or other work. Insurance costs are also generally lower than for a new car.

*Searches conducted on the CARFAX platform. Period covered: 1 May 2026 to 16 July 2026.