The French car fleet is getting older. Sales of used cars over fifteen years old are rising in 2025, while sales of cars less than five years old are falling. This shift changes how buyers assess, choose and maintain a vehicle: mileage alone is no longer enough to evaluate a purchase, and the critical maintenance items are not the ones most consumer guides tend to highlight.
Manufacturer recalls and VIN number: the check nobody makes before buying
Since 2026, certain safety recalls can have a direct impact on whether a vehicle can be driven. A model affected by an unresolved recall may fail its roadworthiness test or, in the most serious cases, be subject to an administrative driving ban.
Before signing, checking manufacturer recalls using the vehicle identification number (VIN) takes two minutes and can prevent weeks without a vehicle. Official databases and manufacturer websites let you check whether a vehicle is affected by an active recall.
This is just as important when buying from a private seller. We find that most buyers focus on the paper service book without cross-checking it against recalls registered against the VIN. A used car can have a spotless service history and still be subject to an outstanding recall.
To compare listings and keep your searches in one place, the 24 Auto 24 website brings together a wide selection of new and used vehicles, with detailed specifications.
Used electric cars: real-world range versus advertised range
The range of electric cars on the used market is growing, with prices falling significantly. The natural instinct is to compare the ranges listed in the specifications. That is the wrong approach.
Real-world range depends on the condition of the battery, not the manufacturer’s specifications. A battery that has undergone several thousand fast-charging cycles no longer delivers the same capacity as it did when new. The battery health certificate (or State of Health) is the only reliable indicator. Ask to see it before taking the car for a test drive.
Choosing a used electric car also means considering your actual journeys and daily charging options, rather than the maximum theoretical range. A model with a modest rated range but access to a home charger may be a better fit than a long-range vehicle charged only at public fast-charging stations, which degrade the battery more quickly.
Purchase incentives: check eligibility before signing
The terms of the electric car purchase incentive scheme have changed. Not all models qualify, and income thresholds and incentive amounts vary. Confirming that your chosen model is eligible with official sources and the seller before placing an order can prevent you from relying on an incentive that never comes through.
Car maintenance: wear items that reveal whether a vehicle has been properly maintained
Standard guides list oil changes, tyres and brakes. That is a starting point, not a diagnosis. On a vehicle more than ten years old, peripheral components are what reveal the true quality of its maintenance history.
- Brake fluid: it is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture over time. If it has not been changed for more than two years, it becomes less effective, even if the brake pads are new. Check the date of the last brake fluid flush in the service book.
- Timing belt or timing chain: on engines that use them, replacing the belt or chain too late can cause engine failure. Both mileage AND age matter; whichever limit is reached first determines when replacement is due.
- Shock absorbers and suspension bushings: rarely replaced as a preventive measure, they deteriorate gradually. A car that feels unstable in corners or has uneven tyre wear may have worn-out shock absorbers.
- 12V battery (including in electric cars): a failing auxiliary battery can cause intermittent electronic faults, often mistakenly diagnosed as a control unit failure.
Bodywork and passive safety: details not to overlook
A vehicle with unrepaired structural damage or compromised passive safety components may fail its roadworthiness test. Checking these items during routine maintenance can help avoid unpleasant surprises when the test is due.
Car budget: hidden costs that distort the purchase price
The advertised price of a vehicle represents only a fraction of its true cost. Insurance, fuel and routine maintenance are predictable expenses. Less predictable are the differences in maintenance costs between engine types and vehicle segments.
A compact SUV with an automatic transmission costs significantly more to maintain than a manual-transmission saloon with equivalent power. Automatic transmission fluid changes, oversized brake pads and tyres in a specific size all add up over time. Comparing the total cost of ownership over five years, rather than just the purchase price, regularly changes the ranking of the supposed “best deals”.
When buying a used car, asking for maintenance invoices from the past three years gives you a clear picture of its actual annual running costs. A seller who cannot provide these documents should give you pause, whatever the asking price.
Buying a vehicle, whether new or used, petrol-powered or electric, calls for specific technical checks that neither price nor mileage can sum up. Cross-checking the VIN history, the actual condition of the battery or wear items, and the total cost of ownership is the three-part test that separates a well-informed purchase from a source of unexpected expenses.
