Driving a high-end car is the dream of most drivers. The features provided by premium brand cars, both mechanically and in terms of comfort, convey a feeling of exclusivity and elegance that goes beyond the mere act of driving. For this reason, manufacturers such as BMW, Audi or Mercedes have established themselves as undisputed references in the world of luxury motorsport, although only the star brand appears in the top 10 of the sales ranking in Spain in 2023.
Getting behind the wheel of a premium brand car does not mean that we will be safe from accidents. But the package of ADAS driving aid systems that their models incorporate can protect us from potentially dangerous situations and significantly improve safety on the road.
Even so, a carVertical study on which cars suffer the most damage in Spain and other European countries reveals that BMW drivers are the ones involved in the most accidents. Data collected by this automotive information company on vehicles purchased by its users between October 2022 and October 2023 show that BMW owners experience a relatively higher frequency of accidents.
Specifically, 67.4% of all BMW cars tested on carVertical in European countries had been damaged by some type of accident. They are closely followed by Dodge, a brand that is not sold in Spain, with 67.2% of damaged vehicles, Tesla (65.15%), Hyundai (62.2%) and Subaru (59.6%). These data suggest that buyers should be cautious when purchasing these vehicles.
The reason why BMW drivers suffer more accidents than others, according to Matas Buzelis, automotive expert and communications manager at carVertical, lies in several factors. Although BMW is a highly desired automobile brand renowned for manufacturing luxury vehicles, there is a notable trend among younger and inexperienced drivers to purchase older, more affordable models from the brand.
This choice, motivated by the aspiration of owning a BMW, can contribute to an increase in the frequency of accidents, since less experienced drivers “are more likely to take risks when driving,” Buzelis emphasizes. In addition, the perception that BMW is a luxury brand can lead to overconfidence on the part of some drivers, as indicated by insurance companies, carVertical adds.
On the other hand, Alfa Romeo cars suffer the least damage, since only 30.6% of all vehicles tested have suffered damage. Fiat (30.8%), Land Rover (36%), Renault (39%) and Peugeot (40%) follow them.
The study also includes the vehicle brands that record the most incidents in their history reports. Once again, BMW appears in first place in the ranking. Every four-ring brand car reviewed on carVertical has 2.34 damage records. They are followed by Lexus (2.27), Land Rover (2.16), Honda (2.12) and Mitsubishi (2.09).
At the opposite pole, Dodges are the least prone to accidents, with 1.43 damages on average. Fiat (1.61), Citroën and Peugeot (1.64) and Renault (1.65) are next. According to the authors of the report, the fact that most economy class cars are avoided by speed enthusiasts means that these brands are the ones with the lowest incidence of accidents.
When purchasing a car, it is as important to ensure that it is reliable and that, therefore, you do not have to visit the workshop frequently, as well as knowing if repairs are more or less expensive depending on the brand. And depending on the brand of a vehicle, repairing the same damage can have different costs.
Dodges are the cars that have the highest average damage value: 5,945 euros. They are followed by the Porsche (5,236 euros) and the Tesla (4,896 euros). That three premium brands appear at the top has an explanation, according to carVertical, because these manufacturers have higher costs than generalist brands. Even the smallest damages can cost thousands of euros in repairs.
