Between January and July 2026, more than 1.3 million used cars were sold in Spain, and 56% had at least one risk factor in their history, CARFAX data show. The rate is above the national average, a growing problem for those who depend on their vehicles for work. The used car market also continued to grow: 1,452,851 passenger cars were sold in the first eight months of 2026, a 2.8% increase over the previous year.
For self-employed workers and small companies, a car is often impressive to daily operations. But the latest CARFAX data show that even newer cars with lower mileage are not always a safe choice. The average car sold was 12 years old and had 169,128 kilometers on the odometer, both figures below the national fleet averages. Still, these cars were more likely to have hidden accident histories or rental use, and some had odometer issues. The average age and mileage of sold vehicles were lower than those of the national fleet, at 15 years and 176,000 kilometers, but that does not make them less risky.
Andalusia accounted for about 18% of all used car re-registrations in Spain in 2026, while Madrid and Catalonia each contributed 15%.
CARFAX found that 39% of the vehicles had records of damage or accidents. Thirteen percent had been part of rental fleets, 10% were imported and 2% showed mileage discrepancies. These details can directly affect the real cost of ownership, especially for businesses with tight budgets. The rise in used car sales was partly driven by an 8.4% increase in imports, to 96,850 units, and a 15.5% jump in rental fleet renewals, to 92,000 units, between January and August 2026.
Ownership history is another factor that often goes overlooked. The average used car sold in early 2026 had already had four owners, compared with 2.6 for the wider Spanish car population. Each additional owner adds uncertainty and makes it harder to judge a car's true condition and value. For a small business, a car with a complicated past can bring unexpected repairs or downtime, or force an earlier replacement than planned.
Rental and imported cars are becoming more common in the second-hand market. Thirteen percent of cars sold had been rentals, almost double the rate in the national fleet. Imported cars made up 10% of sales, compared with 6% overall. These categories are not always a problem, but they do require extra attention. Imported cars in the study averaged 192,888 kilometers, while ex-rental vehicles averaged 139,233 kilometers. Surface details alone are not enough to judge a car's condition.
CARFAX data, as summarized in independent reports, indicate that hidden defects and risk factors remain widespread in Spain's used car market. This is particularly critical for small businesses, where vehicle downtime can directly affect revenue and operations. Even relatively young, low-mileage cars may have a history of accidents or mileage tampering, or may have been used as corporate or rental vehicles. Thorough background checks are impressive.
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For business owners, the risks are clear. A breakdown is more than an inconvenience: it can halt operations and interrupt client visits, cutting into revenue. Repair costs are only part of the problem; lost productivity can be even more damaging. Before buying, owners should check the car's maintenance records and ownership history, along with any past incidents.
As CARFAX notes, neither a low odometer reading nor a recent registration guarantees a clean history. Risk factors are more common than many buyers think, and ignoring them can have serious consequences. Similar issues have emerged elsewhere, including the recent recall of millions of vehicles due to hidden safety flaws.
For anyone navigating Spain's used car market, thorough checks are impressive. Savings from buying second-hand can disappear quickly if hidden problems come to light. Data from CARFAX and other sources point to the importance of demanding full transparency instead of settling for a quick inspection. In a market where more than half the vehicles have issues in their past, businesses that depend on their vehicles need to be cautious.
