Summer 2026: Interest in Used Cars Grows, with Safety in Focus

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

According to CARFAX, compared with last summer, more Italians are relying on used cars, whether for their holidays or for getting around the city after returning from their summer break. The most frequently checked models on the platform include the Fiat Panda, BMW X Series, and Fiat 500.

Milan, July 30th 2026 – This year, Italians appear to be relying increasingly on the used car market for their summer holidays or for getting around the city once the holiday season is over. Between the beginning of May and mid-July(1), in the months leading up to the peak summer travel period, nearly 34% of all used vehicle history reports generated since the start of the year were produced, highlighting a marked seasonal rise. This represents a 59% increase compared with the same period in 2025. CARFAX, the global leader in vehicle history information, revealed these findings after analyzing the checks carried out by Italian users on its platform ahead of the summer travel season.

Hybrid and electric vehicles gain ground

The vehicles checked were, on average, 9 years old and had driven 122,000 kilometers. In addition, 14% of the vehicles were imported from abroad, making it particularly important to reconstruct a vehicle's history beyond national borders.

CARFAX data also shows the continued growth of electrified vehicles in the used car market. While diesel continues to account for the largest share (43%), despite a decline since the summer of 2025 (47%), the number of hybrid vehicles (13% compared to 9% in 2025) and electric vehicles (2% compared to 1% in 2025) is growing significantly.

Fiat leads the used car market with Panda and 500; BMW X Series also among the most checked models

The Turin-based manufacturer tops the ranking of brands checked by Italian users, accounting for 11% of all searches. The Fiat vehicles analyzed were on average 10 years old with 111,000 kilometers on the odometer. Audi and Mercedes-Benz follow jointly with 9% of searches each, while BMW ranks fourth (8%) and Volkswagen fifth (7%).

Looking at individual models, the Fiat Panda confirms its popularity among Italian buyers, becoming the single most frequently checked model with 4% of all searches, an average age of 10 years and 99,000 kilometers. The BMW X Series ranks second (3%), with an average age of 7 years and 124,000 kilometers. The Fiat 500 completes the podium with 2% of searches; the vehicles analyzed averaged 9 years of age and 95,000 kilometers. The Volkswagen Golf and Mercedes-Benz A-Class also account for 2% of searches each.

1 in 2 vehicles shows at least one issue worth investigating

However, buyers should remain cautious and carefully verify the history of every vehicle before making a purchase. More than half (52%) of the vehicles checked this summer presented at least one element requiring further investigation (risk share), such as recorded damage, data anomalies, or potential mileage inconsistencies. Furthermore, 43% of the vehicles had at least one recorded accident or damage event, while 2% showed inconsistencies in the progression of reported mileage, potentially indicating odometer tampering or data recording errors.

Among the most popular models, the BMW X Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class require the greatest attention, with damage recorded in more than 50% of vehicles checked, followed by the Volkswagen Golf (46%). By contrast, the Fiat 500 and Fiat Panda showed lower levels of recorded damage, at 42% and 34% respectively.

«The data shows that Italians are increasingly relying on used cars both for summer travel and holidays and for returning to work afterwards. The latter appears to be the more significant need, judging by an analysis of the models involved. Indeed, some of the most frequently checked vehicles are classic city cars such as the Fiat Panda and Fiat 500, which also stand out for their relatively low mileage and lower incidence of damage compared with other models», said Marco Arban, Business Development Director Europe at CARFAX. «At the same time, it is essential to remember that every vehicle has its own unique history. Age, mileage, origin and model alone are not enough to assess a purchase. Knowing about previous damage, ownership changes, imports or mileage inconsistencies enables buyers to make more informed decisions and approach every journey with greater peace of mind». (1)Searches of the CARFAX platform from May 1sth 2026 to July 16th 2026.