For many Portuguese people, buying a used car continues to be the most affordable way to acquire a recent or higher-end model. However, this choice involves additional risks, especially when it comes to imported vehicles. Although the topic is known, it is rarely explored in depth: imports facilitate access to a greater supply, but also increase the likelihood of information failures and fraud that are difficult to identify at first glance.
According to Notícias ao Minuto, the weight of imports in the national automotive market is significant and helps to contextualize this problem. Often, vehicles arrive in Portugal with a history that is not fully matched by the car, leaving gaps in mileage records, accidents or structural interventions that may go unnoticed by the buyer.
History that gets lost along the way
According to carVertical, a platform specializing in vehicle histories, the majority of used cars analyzed in Portugal originated in other European countries. Between September 2024 and August 2025, 3.6% of the imported vehicles assessed showed signs of mileage manipulation, slightly below the 4.1% recorded in national vehicles. However, these isolated numbers can be misleading.
The real problem lies in the information that does not follow the vehicle. When a car moves countries, part of its history may not be incorporated into national registrations. The seller may not even be aware of previous damage or significant alterations, while a vehicle always registered in the same country tends to have more complete documentation, accessible to authorities and, in some cases, consumers.
Differences in laws between European Union member states further complicate the situation. The systematic sharing of historical data between countries is limited, increasing risks for buyers. The vehicle identification number, the VIN, exemplifies these discrepancies: in some countries it is considered personal data, restricting the consultation of histories.
In Portugal, 61.5% of used cars checked by carVertical were imported. Matas Buzelis, a specialist, warns that many of these vehicles arrive after accidents or with altered mileage, highlighting that geographical origin does not guarantee quality. A car coming from Germany or France can present problems as serious as any other, as each vehicle has its own route that is not always transparent.
Distrust among buyers
Consumer perception reflects this reality. A European study by the same entity, with more than 10 thousand participants, reveals that almost half do not trust used car salespeople. Fears focus on hidden problems, worrying 75% of respondents. More than a third admit to having been scammed on a previous purchase.
Most consider it essential to have access to the complete history before purchasing a vehicle. More than 80% defend this right, and 61.5% support the sharing of non-confidential data between countries. More than 70% disagree that VIN should be treated as sensitive information, showing that there is a demand for greater transparency in a market marked by information inequality.
According to , in a market where imported used cars continue to dominate, carefully checking the history of each vehicle is essential. It does not eliminate all risks, but it can be decisive in avoiding costly surprises.
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