The service life of a European car typically stretches longer than that of many Chinese models by about three years. This observation comes from an industry expert speaking at the NSN press center, who heads development for a major Russian automotive group.
According to the expert, a well-maintained European vehicle often reaches a decade of service, while Chinese cars usually show about seven years of usable life in similar conditions. The difference, he notes, is not fixed and depends largely on how the car is cared for by its owner.
In his view, even a luxury Bentley can look worse after a single year than a five-year-old Chinese car kept in good condition, underscoring that the owner’s maintenance habits play a decisive role in longevity.
Earlier, a study by Fit Service, the vehicle service network, highlighted rising maintenance and repair costs for Chinese brands in 2023. The five-month average bill increased by about 27 percent compared with the previous year. The typical maintenance expense for a Chinese car in 2023 stood around 7,100 rubles, up from 5,600 rubles a year earlier.
Additionally, reports indicated that Russia remains a significant market for the automotive industry, with Chinese brands representing a substantial share of sales and service activity.