Car buying increased strongly in the first half of 2026, but still lags behind 2010 levels, the year the financial crisis fully hit Greece.
According to data provided by car dealers and importers, there were 83,965 new passenger cars in the first half of 2026, 7.4% higher than during the same period in 2025, but 17.34% lower than new car acquisitions in the first half of 2010 (98,531).
As a result, only a small part of the cars acquired before 2010 have been replaced.
According to data provided by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and which refers to 2024, the average age of Greece’s private car fleet, at 17.8 years, is the highest in Europe, where the overall average is 12.7 years.
Out of a total of 5.7 million passenger cars in Greece, 4.53 million are older than 10 years. And, despite the recent rise in sales, the persistent energy-derived inflation is a major hurdle to further renewing the car fleet.
