Global car parc ageing at a significant rate of growth
The average use of vehicles is increasing significantly on a global level, according to a new report from Messe Frankfurt, the organisers of Automechanika Birmingham 2025 and Automechanika Frankfurt 2026. The automotive aftermarket is benefiting from the car parc ageing as the demand for maintenance and spare parts increases.
At the same time, the market is being shaped by trends such as electromobility, digitalisation, and sustainability.
Global car parc ageing fast
With a global market volume of more than US$430 billion (£345bn) in 2024, the aftermarket represents a central pillar of the automotive industry as it drives innovation as well as sales.
Since 2021, the aftermarket has been growing continuously, as drivers are holding on to their vehicles for longer. There are many reasons for this. Chief among them are the sharp rise in new car prices and the uncertainty surrounding the transition from internal combustion engines to electric powertrains, which are affecting consumer moods.
Thomas Vollmar, chairman of the Association of Auto Parts Trading in Germany, said about a car parc ageing rapidly:
“A wait-and-see attitude seems to be the order of the day, and is exacerbated by the current reluctance to spend due to the poor economic situation. However, as people are dependent on their cars, existing vehicles are being driven for longer.”
Rising steadily
According to various surveys, the average car age in the US and the EU has been rising since 2020. Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority recently reported that the average car age in Germany reached 10 years for the first time in 2023. In the EU, the average age of a car has been rising steadily, from 10.6 years in 2016 to 12.3 years in 2022.
The situation is different in emerging markets such as India and China: in India, the average age of a used car fell from six years in 2011 to four years in 2022, mainly due to improved infrastructure and logistics of the dealer network. In addition, the world’s most populous country has a growing middle class with higher incomes. Rising prosperity in China is also resulting in comparatively young cars.
For more automotive insights from Messe Frankfurt, visit the Gateway Community web pages. Click this link to read the full report on the ageing car parc.
