Spain is one of the countries with the oldest cars in Europe. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), the average age of the Spanish car fleet is 13.2 years, well above the European average of 11.8 years.
What causes this situation and what are the consequences for the environment and road safety?
There are several factors that explain why Spain has so many old cars. Some of them are:
- The economic crisis that reduced the purchasing power of Spaniards and the demand for new cars.
- The lack of incentives or aid to renew the car fleet, such as the Renove Plan. The greater durability and reliability of current cars, which makes owners keep them longer.
- The preference for buying second-hand cars, especially the oldest and cheapest ones, which surpass new car sales year after year.
These causes have caused the Spanish car fleet to stagnate and not be sufficiently renewed in recent years.
On the other hand, it should be mentioned that having an aged car fleet has negative effects for both the environment and road safety.
Old cars pollute more and have less protection equipment than new cars.
According to the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), the risk of dying in an accident with an old vehicle (15 years or more) is doubled compared to a new one (less than 5 years). In addition, old cars emit more greenhouse gases and polluting particles that contribute to climate change and poor air quality.
The solution:
Renew the Spanish car fleet. To achieve this, some measures could be taken, such as:
- Offer incentives or aid to buy new or second-hand cars with C, ECO or ZERO labels.
- Promote the manufacture and sale of new vehicles that are less polluting and safer at a national level.
- Send old or unlabelled cars that are no longer used or do not comply with current regulations to the scrapyard.
At Desguaces El Malagueño we help you get rid of your old car in a safe and sustainable way. We are a specialized center that has the knowledge and facilities necessary to dismantle and recycle cars safely. In addition, we offer you the best deals and news to buy second-hand parts with warranty.
