The impoverishment of houses revives mileurista cars

Sales of vehicles over 20 years old have increased by 18% in recent months

In Spain, the age of the fleet continues to increase. Due to Covid, telecommuting, the uncertainty about the electrification process or the introduction of low-emission zones and the increase in taxes and fuel, fewer and fewer people are considering buying a new car.

With a structural aging of the park, reaching an average of 13.5 years (exceeded only by Greece in Europe), and given the rise in vehicle prices, families are finding it increasingly difficult to buy a vehicle, both new and old.

The impoverishment of Spanish households due to the rise in the cost of living strongly revives the phenomenon of ‘mileurista’ cars due to the crisis of 2008. Sales of vehicles older than 20 years grew by 18 in the first six months. % and one in 10 cars sold on the used market are two decades behind, according to MSI data for Sumauto.

Currently, market prices are “banned” for many Spanish households. Currently, a used one according to MSI costs an average of 17,561 euros, while a new one according to the AEAT costs an average of 20,500 euros.

This clashes head on with the INE Living Conditions Survey, with the so-called AROPE risk of poverty or social exclusion, which shows that 27.8% of Spaniards are immersed in one of these three situations: risk of poverty, severe social and material deprivation and/or low work intensity.

This scenario reflects the reality of many Spanish families and clashes head on with the ecological transition and the objective of electrifying the park at a forced pace, especially when for many houses many models have prohibitive costs, easily exceeding 25,000 euros, which leads to the vehicle a premium product that is accessible to high incomes.

According to Nicolás Cantaert, General Manager of Sumauto, “We all need to work towards accessible and sustainable mobility, as the focus is usually on motorization, while economic accessibility is key. It makes no sense to electrify the fleet if these vehicles are for a large number of people. part of the population. For this reason, in addition to autonomy and the lack of charging infrastructure, price is one of the major barriers to overcome with electricity. We run the risk of a Spain with two motorizations where the difference is in income and pocket capacity and thereby promoting what we might call car poverty ».

It is therefore not surprising that 16% of the cars on our roads are still bought in pesetas, after 20 years have passed since the entry into force of the euro. The ‘mileurista’ cars will become the affordable debt-free mobility option, with transactions paid for in cash.

All this creates a vicious circle around mobility, as the aging of the fleet is encouraged – the average age is over 13 years, more than any other country in Europe except Greece – road safety is endangered – only in a vehicle of Over a decade, the risk of injury or death in an accident can triple according to the DGT, and it’s much more polluted — a new car emits 99% fewer particulates compared to a 15-year-old car, Anfac said.

Cars older than 15 years are involved in a higher number of incidents and are the main players in 2 in 5 traffic accidents. In fact, seniority is a determining factor in the accident rate and also breakdowns.

This is reflected in the price of their insurance, which is usually more expensive –because they involve more risks–. In other words, there are more accidents and breakdowns with old cars, so the insurer is called upon more often. But 73% of the cars on the road are more than ten years old.

On the other hand, we must not forget that vehicle maintenance is an unfinished business for the Spaniards. It is estimated that 4 out of 10 drivers do not carry out the vehicle inspection prescribed by the manufacturer. And more than 60% don’t change their tires on time. Cost and lack of time are the main arguments.

Source: La Verdad

Ida

I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.