To be precise: in Germany cars are on average 9.6 years old, in Belgium 9.1 years and in wealthy Luxembourg 6.5 years. The European average is 11.5 years, so we are just below that in the Netherlands. It is mainly the southern countries that drive elderly vehicles. Spain and Portugal reach an average of 12.7 and 12.8 years. The outliers are Greece (16 years), Romania (16.5 years), Estonia (16.7 years) and Lithuania (16.8 years).
Cars are getting better and less susceptible to rust
According to the ACEA, the average age of cars is getting higher. Ten years ago, the European vehicle fleet was generally 8.4 years old. The reasons are obvious. In recent decades, the influence of the rust sample has diminished a lot. And in any case, the quality of cars has improved a lot.