Imports drive down average age of cars

THE wave of used imports is slashing the average age of our cars.

History and data expert CARTELL.IE claims the age of vehicles is falling as the number of imports has reached an all-time high.

The impact on average age is dramatic. Since January it has fallen by 75 days. That’s because people are buying fresher imports.

The average age of all cars now is 8.7 years – down nearly three months (80 days) since January this year. Imports average 9.02 years – the youngest since July 2011.

The number of cars imported between 1999 and 2017 is at a record 480,606. Total car numbers stand at 2,289,922.

Cartell’s John Byrne says: “Imports are reducing the age of the Irish fleet as buyers move up the years and bring in a car from the UK. Possibly buyers are importing newer vehicles without retiring older vehicles. This may explain why the age is declining while the size is still increasing.”

He warned buyers, however, to be careful when importing as a car may carry a hidden history.