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While the European average is 12 years for passenger cars, Greece has reached 17 years.

Garage owners in Thessaloniki confirm that the vehicles that enter the garages are many years old, with their owners taking every necessary action to extend their lifespan.

"It's true, but at least the drivers look to maintain them because there is no possibility of buying new ones. Older vehicles don't have advanced safety systems and that's a problem. We advise that they definitely check the brakes in order not to cause accidents, mechanical faults are repaired", said Tassos Lykartzis Workshop Owner, Former President of OBEAMME.

The percentage of fatal traffic accidents with I.X. up to 5 years old is limited to 15% while for vehicles 16-25 years old this percentage is twice as much.

The rates of fatal accidents involving old vehicles are alarming as they concern the average age of the Greek vehicle fleet. in our country and not some limited number of vehicles.

However, the renewal of the vehicle fleet is not an easy task, since the country has gone through successive crises in the previous years and has fallen behind in relation to the rest of the EU. In order to change the situation, out of the 5.5 million cars circulating in Greece, 2.3 million vehicles should be replaced with newer ones, up to 5 years old.

New used vehicles that are either imported or channeled into the market through leasing companies can play an important role in the process. With the average cost of a 5-year conventional car at around 15,000 euros, an investment of 34 billion euros is needed to achieve this goal.

Given the signs of improvement in the country's economic climate, it is clear that there is a need to provide financial tools and incentives to renew the fleet at a faster rate than the European average. Something that can only be done with a partnership between the state and the private sector. In such a strategic plan, the Greek government can join forces with technologically pioneering companies as well as organizations that know the needs and the domestic landscape.

An example is the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which has invested more than 6.4 billion euros in Greece in recent years. Its main priorities include strengthening the competitiveness of the private sector and this includes supporting businesses in the mobility sector, as explained by the head of the Bank for Greece and Cyprus Andreea Moraru. "The cost of road accidents, both socially and financially, is too great to ignore. "Accidents can be avoided by investing in better roads, risk reduction, awareness and education," he notes.