Junkyard reports #3: how a “German” Mercedes may actually have started its lifespan in another country

Cars in Europe usually move in one direction – from West to East. Western countries sell, Eastern countries buy. Germany leads the way as Europe’s top car exporter, and if you’ve ever searched for a vehicle in Poland, Lithuania, or Romania, chances are high that it first came from Germany.

But not every story follows that route.

At carVertical, we often come across history reports that tell a very different tale – cars traveling the other way around, from Eastern Europe to Western Europe, with sellers conveniently forgetting to mention their true origin.

In this edition of Junkyard Reports, we’re taking a look at one particularly curious case – a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG whose story took a few unexpected turns.

A short dossier

Suspect: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

Year of production: 2016

Damages: 1

Number of countries changed: 3

Current country of residence: France

A powerful beast with a sad ending

With a 4.0-liter, 469-horsepower engine, the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG isn’t your everyday car – it’s a roaring beast that demands skill and precision. The hero of our story was first registered in France but soon was exported to Serbia. Unfortunately, the new owner didn’t enjoy that power for long.

Just 2 years after leaving the assembly line, in July 2018, the C63 AMG suffered a major front-end collision in Serbia.

Historical photos from the crash show extensive damage – a smashed bumper, bent hood and fenders, and heavy impact to the radiator support and cooling system. The front-left suspension was also affected, with visible bent parts and exposed wiring.

Damage of this kind often leads to alignment issues, engine cooling failures, and electrical faults later on. It can also compromise airbag sensors and frame alignment, creating safety risks that don’t always show up at first glance.

The owner didn’t waste any time – within the same month, the damaged Benz was up for sale. And that’s where things start to get interesting.

From Serbia to Germany – and then to France

A year after the crash, the C63 AMG resurfaced for sale – but this time in Germany.

Historical photos showed a complete transformation: the car looked flawless, as if it had never been in an accident.

Buyers in Germany (and other Western countries) tend to trust cars that have “always been local.” But sometimes, those “German” cars have already seen quite a bit of the world.

Did this happen here? Very likely.

After spending 2 years in Germany, the same Mercedes was then imported to France. It’s safe to assume it was advertised as a “German car,” a label that helps avoid awkward questions. A simple VIN check, however, would have told a very different story.

Why do some cars never make it back home?

To better understand how cases like this occur, we reached out to one of our partners to ask what they think about this particular Mercedes – and whether they would consider buying it after learning its history.

Courtage Auto, a France-based dealership, has witnessed its fair share of unusual import stories. Justine Martin, Head of the Purchasing Department, explains that the company frequently manages vehicle imports from Eastern Europe – showing that, although moving cars from East to West is less common, it still happens regularly.

According to Martin, cars are often repaired abroad when fixing them in their original country would be too costly, effectively rendering them a total loss at home.

“France has some of the strictest registration rules in Europe. Whenever we see a vehicle that was originally registered in France but is now for sale overseas, we never import it back. Such cases almost always hide significant issues – either structural or administrative,” says Martin, explaining why the company would steer clear of a vehicle with that kind of history.

What can this story teach used car buyers?

While cars from Germany are often seen as well-maintained and reliable, the C63 AMG’s journey proves that reputation doesn’t always match reality. A car sold in Germany or France, or anywhere else could have started its life in another country entirely, bringing hidden risks with it.

Since there’s no unified car registry in Europe, countries don’t automatically share vehicle data. This creates perfect conditions for hidden damage, odometer fraud, or misleading listings.

No matter what a seller claims, it’s crucial to check a car’s history before buying. Otherwise, you might end up with a vehicle that needs constant repairs – or worse, one that isn’t safe to drive.

Not all imported cars are bad. But when you know the story behind them, you can make sure you’re buying the right one.