The typical age of vehicles arriving for service in 2023 stood at 12.3 years, a figure reported through the Rossiyskaya Gazeta citing a study conducted by Fit Service, which operates an international network of car service centers. In the same period, the share of vehicles aged 15 years and older rose significantly, climbing from a quarter of all active cars to more than one third. This shift signals a market where aging fleets become more prominent and pose new demands on maintenance infrastructure across the country.
Industry observers note that the growing average age of automobiles reflects a broader trend: more owners are choosing to prolong the life of their vehicles by keeping them on the road through regular upkeep rather than replacing them promptly. This mindset translates into escalating demand for service station work, as drivers invest in preventive care, diagnostics, part replacements, and performance restoration to keep aging cars safe and reliable. Tatyana Ovchinnikova, who leads the Fit Service network, highlighted this dynamic, emphasizing that longer vehicle lifespans are likely to sustain or even increase the volume of service visits as the vehicle parc matures.
Another important market indicator discussed is the trajectory of average mileage. By the end of 2023, the mean distance traveled per vehicle declined by about four percent from the previous year, reaching roughly 12.6 thousand kilometers. This development suggests a nuanced pattern: while many owners extend the life of their cars, the total usage may not always rise in lockstep with aging, possibly due to a combination of shorter daily driving spans and more aggressive maintenance practices that extend the useful life of components and reduce wear in the short term.
Turning to pricing signals, the market observed that the average price of a new passenger car in Russia at the close of 2023 stood at approximately 2.96 million rubles, marking a year over year increase of about 24 percent. Historical comparisons show more tepid price growth in earlier years, with average increases of around 7 percent in 2020, 18 percent in 2021, and 20 percent in 2022. These figures reflect the broader inflationary pressures, currency dynamics, and supply chain conditions that have historically influenced new vehicle pricing, alongside shifts in consumer demand and model availability that affect perceived value and affordability for buyers across the market.
Industry commentary also touched on market stability for new units in the near term. It was anticipated that the price level for new passenger cars in Russia would remain relatively steady through February 2024, tempering expectations for any sharp price increases driven by consumer activity during that period. In terms of the used market, forecasts suggested that second-hand car prices were unlikely to experience dramatic fluctuations in the same window, contributing to a cautious but stable retail environment for buyers and sellers. This combination of steady new-car pricing and a measured outlook for used-vehicle values implies a period of cautious optimism for the automotive sector, with consumers potentially more inclined to maintain existing fleets rather than pursue immediate upgrades amid uncertain macroconditions.
Across the market, the limited visibility around price movements and the ongoing reliance on parallel imports for a substantial portion of notable vehicle models indicate how external factors continue to shape buying patterns. Buyers and repair specialists alike must navigate a landscape where supply chain constraints, import policies, and currency exchange rates can influence both availability and pricing. In this context, service networks like Fit Service play a critical role in helping owners maximize the life of their vehicles, ensuring safety, dependability, and performance even as the average age of the fleet climbs and the mix of new and used models evolves over time.