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The phrase “It’s not the car, it’s the driver” rings true when it comes to auto accidents. After all, cars can only typically run into each (or other stuff) when someone is behind the wheel. A recent study from Insurify’s data science team proves this with a list of the 10 most accident-prone car models. You may be surprised at which German sedan took the No. 1 spot.

Which German sports sedan topped the list with the most auto accidents?

A 2020 Audi S4 front corner view, the S4 topped Insurify's list of cars with the most auto accidents in 2023
2020 Audi S4 | Audi

You would think that anyone driving an expensive car like an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz would drive carefully. However, the Audi S4 topped Insurify’s list of cars with the most accidents in 2023. The data scientists examined their database of “more than 4.6 million car insurance applications to identify the car models with the most accidents in 2023,” Insurify reports.

When applying for car insurance, drivers must input the make and model of the car they’re insuring in addition to any accidents they have caused in the past seven years. After combing through the data, the team found that Audi S4 drivers get into accidents at a rate of 54% more than the national average and get more speeding tickets. A whopping 14.6% of the applicants that drive an Audi S4 reported having a speeding ticket on their record in 2023, and 11.7% reported having an at-fault accident.

The second car on the list is not very fast

A blue 2016 Scion IA driving down a street
2016 Scion IA | Toyota

Considering the Audi S4, a high-performance luxury sedan, topped the list, you would think that the runner-up would be just as fast. Think again. The folks at Insurify found that 11.5% of owners of the Scion iA, a small hatchback that was discontinued in 2016, had an at-fault auto accident on record. It’s surprising, considering the Scion iA is practically the antithesis of the Audi S4 with its sluggish acceleration and commuter-friendly characteristics.

The Chevrolet Volt came in third place

A blue Chevrolet Volt EV
2013 Chevrolet Volt EV | GM

Although plug-in hybrid cars are heralded as a planet-saving, fuel-efficient commuters, that doesn’t mean they don’t get into accidents from time to time. The study showed that 11% of Volt owners reported an at-fault accident on their record, which landed this car in the third-place spot on the list. Fortunately, the Chevrolet Volt was deemed safe by the IIHS, which gave this model a Top Safety Pick award before it was discontinued in 2018.

Surprisingly, some performance-oriented cars landed lower on the list

If the Audi S4, Scion iA, and Chevy Volt were surprising entries on the list, you might be more surprised that some performance cars rounded out the Top 10. The most notable makes and models include the Hyundai Veloster N, Toyota GR86, and Subaru WRX. Over 10% of the owners of these models reported having at-fault accidents. Check out the other cars that made Insurify’s list of the “Top 10 Cars with the most accidents for 2023.”

Insurify's Top 10 Cars with the most auto accidents
The list of the top 10 cars with the most accidents in 2023 | Insurify

Whether it’s a small commuter car or a high-performance sedan, every car can be prone to getting into an accident. Ultimately, this list shows that it doesn’t matter what type of car you driving; what matters most is who is driving.