The typical lifespan of a passenger car in Russia reached an average of 27 years in 2023, according to a collaborative study conducted by the Fit Service car service network and the analytics firm Gruzdev-Analyze. The data, which is available through socialbites.ca, shows a steady rise since the beginning of 2022, when the figure was three years lower. This pattern reflects a broader shift in how owners view car ownership and maintenance, with many choosing to extend the use of their vehicles rather than replace them at shorter intervals.
Researchers note that the active life of vehicles in the country has been lengthening year by year. In 2023, the average lifespan of automobiles stood at 27 years. While the 2019 to 2021 period saw a stable average of around 24 years in active use, a pronounced acceleration began in 2022, signaling a slower rate of fleet retirement. This change suggests that a growing share of drivers is prioritizing durability and value, even as the overall costs of running an aging fleet continue to be a concern for households and service providers alike.
Commenting on the trend, Fit Service director Tatyana Ovchinnikova observed that the proportion of service customers with cars older than 20 years has climbed each year. In 2019, the share was about 9 percent, but by the three quarters of 2023 it had risen to roughly 14 percent. Ovchinnikova explained that this shift is driven by frugality and a desire to maximize the useful life of existing vehicles, especially as owners weigh potential replacement options against the uncertain costs and availability of newer models in the near term.
Beyond the aging of the fleet, provincial and national service data indicate that the average age of vehicles arriving for maintenance and repair at service stations in the country has grown as well. The current figure sits around 12.4 years, up from 11.9 the previous year and well above the 10.7-year mark recorded back in 2017. This trend underscores a sustained demand for repair and preventive maintenance as vehicles approach higher mileages and more extended lifespans, with owners seeking to preserve performance and safety while managing expenditure.
Several factors contribute to the observed aging of the vehicle fleet. Economic considerations often lead consumers to postpone or delay new-car purchases, extending the operational life of existing assets. Technological advancements in diagnostics, parts availability, and service methodologies have also made it more feasible to keep older cars running reliably. On the other hand, the increased average age of vehicles and the rising share of very old cars in circulation place greater emphasis on maintenance, habitability, and long-term total cost of ownership rather than short-term up-front affordability. These dynamics influence everything from service scheduling and parts supply to insurance costs and resale values, shaping a complex recycling of consumer behavior that favors durability and careful stewardship of assets.
The year 2023 brought notable shifts in pricing and service demand as well. As the fleet ages, repair and bodywork expenditures tend to rise, driven by the increasing need for replacement parts, more intensive maintenance, and the higher likelihood of wear-related issues. This has contributed to a marked uptick in the average costs associated with body repairs, reflecting both the broader economics of vehicle upkeep and the specific pressures faced by repair shops servicing older models. Industry observers emphasize that these cost dynamics are intertwined with the broader macroeconomic environment, consumer confidence, and the evolving mix of vehicles in operation, including the prevalence of older, high-mileage cars on Russian roads. In this context, the capacity of the repair ecosystem to deliver timely, trustworthy service becomes a key factor for households weighing ongoing ownership versus replacement. By continuing to invest in skilled labor, parts sourcing, and preventative maintenance programs, service networks aim to sustain reliability and value for customers navigating a longer, more variable vehicle lifecycle.