Latest figures released by vehicle history and data expert CARTELL.IE and vehicle sales platform CARSIRELAND.IE on the size of the private fleet show that the number of the cars on the road reached an all time high in August 2021, hitting 2,486,302. The figures also show that between May 2021 and May 2022 the private fleet increased from 2,434,503 to 2,459,172 (+24,669). 

Cartell.ie also says that the age of the fleet is increasing as owners hold onto their vehicles longer during the pandemic. The overall picture shows the age of the private fleet, both native and imported, has returned to a level last seen in May 2016. This coincides with a drop in used car transactions in the market every year since 2017 a factor which tends to point towards owners holding onto their vehicles longer. 

Cartell.ie tracked the age of the fleet  on the first day of each month between January 1999 and May 2022. Between May 2021 and May 2022 the fleet as a whole has advanced in age by 66 days from an average of 3162 days to 3228 days (+66 days). For the equivalent period the imported fleet has also increased significantly from 3271 days to 3444 days (+173 days). The average age of a private car in Ireland, both native and imported, is now 8.8 years. The average age of an imported car in Ireland stands at 9.4 years. An indigenous Irish vehicle’s average age is currently 8.6 years.

Ross Conlon, CEO CarsIreland.ie and Group Director New Business at Mediahuis Ireland, says, “Cartell have been tracking the age of the fleet since its inception in 2006 and this data is very useful for the market in terms of assessing what age of vehicle the individual buyer is pursuing and in viewing shifts in the market place. The increase seen in the age of the private fleet year-over-year has been particularly notable, especially the imported fleet which had increased by almost half-a-year in 12 months.”

The figures make interesting reading for the aftermarket, showing how lack of new and used car availability and financial uncertainty is meaning that drivers are keeping cars on the road for longer. In turn this means the number of vehicles that represent business potential for the aftermarket has increased. Taking a snapshot of some key figures: 

In May 1999 the private fleet was 1383838, by May 2009 this figure had risen to 2271531. In May this year the figure stood at 2459172. 

At the same time the age of the fleet went from an average of 6.1 years in May 1999 to 6.95 years in May 2009. Since then the age of vehicles has seen a serious upward trend to 8.83 years in May this year.