Cars checked by Croatian users on the carVertical platform in 2025 were, on average, 9.1 years old, according to the company's research. This average age is 4.3 years less than the average age of all passenger cars in Croatia.
According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) for 2024, published in the Road Vehicles 2026 report, the average age of a passenger car in Croatia is 13.4 years. The difference can be partly explained by the fact that official statistics cover all registered vehicles, including those that are rarely used or no longer actively part of the market. The data from carVertical, on the other hand, relates to cars that buyers specifically inspect before purchase.
Among the most frequently checked brands, the oldest vehicles were Fiat, with an average age of 11.2 years. This is followed by BMW at 10.6 years, Nissan at 10.3 years, Alfa Romeo at 10.2 years, and Opel at 10.1 years. The youngest vehicles among the brands analysed were the Skoda, with an average of 7.4 years. The Peugeot had an average age for inspected vehicles of 8.1 years, the Seat 8.3 years, the Volkswagen 8.4 years, and the Audi 8.8 years.
Experts warn that one should not conclude from these figures that a brand is more reliable or of higher quality simply because its cars are younger on average. The average age can be influenced by a number of factors, from the popularity of specific models and the time a brand entered the domestic market to import trends and the decisions of owners regarding when to sell a car.
Experts particularly warn buyers not to rely solely on the year of manufacture when buying a used vehicle. Even a relatively young car can have hidden defects, rolled-back mileage, or past damage, while an older car that has been regularly maintained and has a clean service history can be a perfectly good purchase.
In addition to age, one should check the actual condition of the vehicle, its service history, and any previous damage. Experts recommend having the vehicle inspected by a authorised or reliable service centre before purchase, as well as comparing several vehicles before making a final decision.
The carVertical research does not cover all used cars in Croatia. The vehicles analysed were those for which users purchased history reports on the platform during 2025.
