Buying a used model is a smart alternative to acquire a vehicle at a lower price. However, you must avoid certain traps to prevent an unwelcome surprise. A recent study by CarVertical explains how models that rack up a lot of miles in a short period can be problematic.
More than 1,860 miles per month
The used-car market is full of vehicles from all walks of life. It offers real opportunities to buy a car at a price far below the new-car market. However, it is essential to take precautions before diving into the purchase of your next model. This is precisely the focus of CarVertical’s latest study on vehicles used “intensively on the French market.”
In this study, the organization targets primarily a vehicle whose annual mileage exceeds 36,000 miles. That translates, on a monthly basis, to about 1,864 miles. These vehicles account for only a small portion of France’s vehicle fleet. Between January 2025 and May 2026, only 2.4% of vehicles in France exceeded this threshold.
What are the consequences of a vehicle used intensively? The main one: greater wear on brakes, suspensions, the engine, or steering components.
Which cars are targeted by the study?
Vehicles particularly prone to these high mileages are notably taxis, transport vehicles, or ride-hailing cars. Wear is intensified with the multiplication of accelerations, braking and short urban trips.
The CarVertical study places the Mercedes-Benz Classe V at the top of the models most frequently associated with intensive use. In total, 22.36% of units in France have experienced more than 36,000 miles per year. That represents one in five for this vehicle.
The podium is completed by the Mercedes-Benz with 13.8% of the affected models and the Toyota Corolla with 10.9% affected by intensive use. In most cases, these are models particularly favored by businesses and professionals. The qualities appreciated are practicality, versatility, or the ability to cover long distances.
Matas Buzelis, expert of the automotive market at CarVertical explains: “A vehicle recently showing an abnormally high mileage may have belonged to a corporate fleet. A neat appearance and an attractive price should not be enough to reassure the buyer. A thorough inspection in a shop is indispensable, as a heavily used car can quickly require costly repairs.”
Note that vehicles that are imported are also harder to trace. As a result, you will have less visibility into the maintenance and repairs performed.
