Spain's aging car fleet and poor maintenance raise road fatality risk

A study by Fundación Línea Directa and Centro Zaragoza finds that Spain's average passenger‑car age has risen to 14.5 years – 58 % higher than in 2010 – and that many drivers delay or skip essential maintenance. One‑third of vehicles required to undergo the ITV inspection fail to attend, and 17.9 % of those that do are rejected at the first visit, often for defects in tyres, brakes, steering or suspension.

Accidents involving poorly maintained cars see fatality rates triple those of well‑maintained vehicles, and when critical components are faulty the chance of death rises five‑fold. In the 2015‑2024 period the study attributes at least 670 deaths and more than 23,000 injuries to such incidents. Director Mar Garre warned, “In a context where renewal has slowed and Spain has one of the oldest vehicle fleets in the region, it is especially important to invest in proper maintenance.” Regional data show the highest non‑compliance in Asturias (32.4 %) and Galicia (23.4 %).