Average age of vehicles in Croatia 14.6 years

(Patria) - At technical inspection stations last year, there were 214,224 first vehicle registrations, which is 23,401, or 12 percent more compared to the previous year.

The average age of vehicles was 14.6 years, the same as the previous year, announced the Croatian Vehicle Centre.

Last year, 159,563 vehicles were deregistered, which is an annual increase of 20.6 percent. 2,446,940 driving licenses were extended, which is 4.2 percent more compared to the previous year.

According to data from the Croatian Vehicle Centre, 2,497,056 regular technical inspections of vehicles of all categories were carried out last year, and 427,256 of them, or 17 percent, were faulty.

On average, a faulty vehicle had six errors. The most were found in devices that enable normal visibility (22.9 percent) and in braking devices (22.3).

The average age of cars was 13.9 years, while the total age of vehicles is 14.6 years, which for the first time in a long time represents a stagnation of the average age of vehicles in Croatia.

A significant increase in hybrid-powered vehicles is also evident. In 2024, 70,608 hybrid-powered vehicles were registered in Croatia, compared to 44,311 in 2023.

The number of registered electric-powered vehicles in 2024 is 9,987, which is also significantly higher compared to 2023 - when there were 7,032.

Tomislav Škreblin, Assistant Director for Technical Affairs at the Croatian Vehicle Centre, says that the results from 2024 indicate positive progress in the vehicle fleet, but also a continuous need to raise awareness about technical compliance.

- For a long time, we have finally experienced a year in which the average age of the vehicle fleet has not increased. We hope that the stagnation of the average age is an indication of a new trend of decreasing the average age of vehicles in Croatia.

However, almost six errors per faulty vehicle indicate that vehicle owners should have as much information as possible about how they can recognize and repair faults in time, thereby increasing their safety and the safety of other road users.

Good maintenance of vehicles, which are still older than the European average, increases their lifespan in addition to safety, and reduces fuel consumption and environmental impact - says Škreblin.