Broken but profitable: what drivers need to know about cars from the USA.

Cars from the USA remain one of the most attractive options in the Ukrainian used car market due to low prices. However, buyers often have concerns about their condition and history.

Whether to be afraid of American cars after accidents and how to avoid risks when buying them was explained by auto expert Yevgeny Yermolov during a broadcast with Yuriy Romanenko on January 21, 2025.

Myth about 'only damaged' cars

'One of the common myths is that only damaged cars are sold in America. In fact, there are intact cars, and there are many dealerships where they are sold. It's just that if you bring an intact car here, you won't win in price, although you'll get an undamaged car,' Yermolov explained.

According to the expert, cars with damage dominate the Ukrainian market of American cars for economic reasons: 'Since most cars are imported by car businessmen, they need a margin. Therefore, they will not buy an intact car – it's simply unprofitable.'

Advantages of the American market

The main advantage of buying a car from the USA is a unique system for tracking car history. 'The USA is the only country where there is a national register, Carfax, which collects all information about the car from the moment it is sold until it either leaves the country or is disposed of,' emphasized the expert.

This system records every change:

• Owner change
• All service visits
• Mileage information
• Condition changes
• Repair data

'All authorized stations are required to provide information about mileage, condition, and completed work. This is a huge plus when buying a car from the USA, as you receive full and reliable history,' noted Yermolov.

About damage and repair

Speaking about damaged cars, the expert urged not to dramatize the situation: 'There are many myths about damaged cars. In fact, it's not as scary as it may seem. The main thing is to assess the degree of damage. If they, in your subjective opinion, are not too serious, it usually does not create major problems.'

The lower price of such cars is simply explained: 'Since the car is considered to have been in an accident, its market value is naturally lower. But in the USA, car prices are so low that it still allows all parties to gain – both the buyer and those who bring, repair, and sell them,' the expert explained.

Price advantages

In the USA, cars lose value much faster than in other countries. 'The American market is a fast market. There, a three-year-old car can drop to 50% of its value. They live in a system of constant leasing – they drive for three years while the warranty is valid and then change the car. They are constantly in credit,' Yermolov said.

According to him, this feature of the American market, together with the current customs rules, makes buying a car from the USA especially attractive for Ukrainian buyers.

Recommendations for choice

The expert gave several key pieces of advice to those planning to buy an American car:

• Carefully study the car's history via Carfax
• Assess the nature and degree of damage
• Thoroughly check the quality of repairs
• Consider the cost of parts and maintenance

'American cars currently occupy the largest segment of our market because they have the lowest prices. It is important to understand that some models, such as large pickups from Ford, Chevrolet, Jeep, are simply impossible to buy anywhere other than the USA,' summed up Yevgeny Yermolov.

Let us remind you that Diya has launched a convenient feature for drivers.