We've run through everything: personal cars in Russia are getting older
The average age of a personal passenger car in the Russian fleet has reached its maximum in the last five years, analysts told Izvestia. According to various estimates, he is now between 12 and 16 years old. Almost 40% of the vehicles in the services are over 15 years old. Buyers prefer used cars not as a temporary measure, but as a forced solution in the face of rising prices for new ones and the absence of many brands, experts noted.
How long does the car last
Cars over the age of 15 are most often serviced at car service stations, the share of such cars is 36%. Cars aged 10-14 years were in second place, accounting for 33%. The share of cars that are 6-9 years old in car services is 18%. There are significantly fewer more recent cars arriving at the service station, according to a study by the international network of Fit Service car services.
In five years, the share of the most aged cars has increased by 12 percentage points, analysts said.
— This year, we are already servicing 69% of cars over the age of ten years. Such machines require not only standard maintenance, but also more complex repairs. These may be aggregate or other, more extensive works," said Tatiana Ovchinnikova, director of the network.,
The average age of a car in the Russian fleet of registered passenger cars as of the beginning of 2025 was 11.6 years. This is noticeably higher than previous figures and the highest value since 2017, analysts at the Gruzdev-Analyze agency calculated for Izvestia. We are talking about all registered cars in the country.
But for an active fleet of cars, that is, those that are currently in operation, the average age is higher, analysts noted. It can be about 16 years old.
Previously, the average age of a car in Russia increased gradually, but now it is growing sharply, added Gruzdev-Analyze.
"For the car service industry, this means an increase in the volume of more complex repairs," the analysts emphasized. — In addition, another trend is showing itself: as the fleet ages, there is also a shift by age group. Previously, the main number of actively operated cars was in the group of 10-15 years, but now this group will shift towards an increase.
It is car owners aged 10-14 who spend the most significant amounts on maintenance and repairs, according to the study. The average check in this category was 12.9 thousand rubles. Car owners aged 6-9 years spend an average of 12.3 thousand rubles per visit at a service station. The third place in terms of repair costs is occupied by cars older than 15 years.
— The category of cars over 15 years old is very large, both 20-year-old and 30-year-old cars fall here, so the check for them is the most average. For example, our network handles several cars that are over 60 years old and the average receipts for them are small," explained Tatiana Ovchinnikova.
Why is the car fleet aging
The aging trend of the Russian car fleet was also confirmed by experts interviewed by Izvestia.
— Of course, this does not mean that only rusty and old cars drive on the roads. Despite the stagnation that we are currently experiencing, the increase in recycling and the departure of our familiar car brands, the market is replenished with new cars one way or another, but in the current situation this cannot outweigh other factors," explained Alexander Korotkov, General Director of the Migtorg specialized car sales platform.
The lengthening of the service life of machines is associated with economic uncertainty and a decrease in purchasing power, he believes. And also with the stereotypes of Russians regarding the quality and reliability of Chinese cars, with psychological factors and habits of car owners.
The fleet of passenger cars continues to age, because cars do not leave it, but continue to pass from one owner to another, the analysts added.
— This is not an update of the fleet, but simply a redistribution within it. A certain part of buyers prefer used cars not as a temporary measure, but as a forced solution in the face of rising prices for new models. At the same time, cars older than 5-7 years are often chosen, as they are cheaper, which also increases the average age of the fleet, they noted.
At the age of 12-15, the wear and tear of the main components and assemblies begins to require major repairs, Alexander Korotkov emphasized.
— It is during this period that the owner can expect a peak in maintenance costs, including replacement of suspension elements, braking system, engine and transmission. Cars older than 15 years old, as a rule, either undergo restoration at significant cost, or are used with limited repairs, or, as we also note, they are operated with malfunctions," he said.
Interestingly, drivers select the service depending on the age of the car, Bulat Kilov, the founder of the brand of protective coatings and auto chemicals Krytex, drew attention.
— If in the early years many people try to comprehensively inspect cars in one service station, often it is the former official service station, then after five years many make a choice in favor of "chamber", "district service stations", where the cost of maintenance is 20-30% cheaper, — he shared.
Despite the growth in the share of Chinese cars in the secondary market, Korean, Japanese and European brands remain the leaders, said Evgeny Zhitnukhin, commercial director of the Fresh automotive marketplace.
"In the eyes of the average consumer, a seven—year—old Toyota looks more attractive than a three-year-old car from any Chinese brand," he assured.
In his opinion, investing in a used car should not be considered an investment.
— No one can guarantee that an ideal five-year-old Volkswagen, which you buy and put in the garage, will not lose even in ruble value in three years. It is probably more profitable to deposit funds," he added. — On the other hand, if you need a car, new or used, now is a great time to buy. The overstocking of warehouses and the strengthening of the ruble led to lower prices, but it is difficult to say how long prices will remain at this level.
Drivers who are accustomed to comfortable cars of familiar brands are patiently waiting for the return of brands, says Alexey Ivanov, owner of the Alliance Trucks commercial vehicle dealership network. Despite the existence of many schemes for their purchase in other countries, many do not seek to purchase new cars now due to the lack of service infrastructure - their own dealerships, accredited specialists.
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