Finland car age has now reached an average of 13.6 years, making the country’s vehicle fleet the oldest in the Nordic region. This puts Finland behind its neighbours, as Sweden’s average is 11 years, Denmark’s is 9.6, and Norway’s is 11.1. The growing age of vehicles in Finland has raised serious concerns around both environmental impact and road safety.
According to experts, older cars generally emit more greenhouse gases and lack the latest safety features that newer models include. Jouko Sohlberg, Technical Director at the Finnish Central Organisation for Motor Trades and Repairs, explained on Yle’s morning show that the aging fleet is a problem for both climate emissions and driver safety.
The dominance of used cars in Finland’s market is a key factor behind this trend. Most cars sold are secondhand, with the demand for brand-new vehicles remaining weak despite promotional efforts. Sohlberg noted the industry expects to sell roughly 74,000 new passenger cars this year. To lower the average car age significantly, sales of new cars would have to nearly double to about 140,000 annually.
In June 2025, new car registrations increased by 10.1 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 7,449 vehicles. However, registrations in the first half of the year are still down by 4.9 percent compared to 2024. This shows that while some progress is visible, it has not yet reversed the longer trend of decline.
“Times are tough,” Sohlberg said, “but various promotions have helped increase sales somewhat.”
The Finnish consumer’s preference for used cars and familiar brands plays a large role in the slow renewal of the vehicle fleet. Brands like Toyota and Volkswagen continue to top sales charts in Finland. Pekka Kaidesoja, editor-in-chief of Auto Bild Suomi, pointed out that Finnish buyers tend to be cautious and stick with brands they know and trust.
“Finns prefer traditional brands and are a bit hesitant about new ones. The most popular choices are reliable and come with a wide selection of models,” Kaidesoja told Yle.
Compared to Finland, other Nordic countries have made more progress in modernising their car fleets. Strong government incentives and growing adoption of electric vehicles have pushed down the average car age elsewhere. Many new models are electric or hybrids with better fuel efficiency and advanced safety technology.
In Finland, electric vehicle sales are growing but still represent a small share of overall car purchases. Older petrol and diesel cars dominate especially in rural parts of the country where charging infrastructure is limited.
Industry experts warn that without stronger policies or increased consumer incentives, the average vehicle age in Finland will remain high. This slow turnover risks undermining national efforts to reduce emissions and reach climate targets.
