• Cars in the EU are now 12.7 years old on average
• Longer ownership periods are bringing maintenance and consumables into focus
• The MANNOL range offers products specifically designed for older generations of vehicles
Cars on European roads are getting older and older. Passenger cars in the European Union now have an average age of 12.7 years. This trend also applies to Germany: here, the average age of registered passenger cars currently stands at 10.9 years – that is 1.7 years more than a decade ago*. This longer period of use presents garages and motorists with specific challenges. After all, the older the technology, the more important it is to carry out maintenance and care using the appropriate products.
Specialised solutions for high mileage
MANNOL meets this need with a comprehensive range of engine and gearbox oils, additives, and functional service and maintenance products. This includes numerous solutions specifically designed for older generations of vehicles. Among other things, the products combat typical signs of ageing such as mechanical wear, stubborn deposits, increasing oil consumption and seals becoming brittle.
These include, for example, engine oils such as MANNOL Defender 10W-40 7507, Classic 10W-40 7501 and Universal 15W-40 7405, whose formulations are optimally tailored to the requirements of high-mileage engines. This range is complemented by special additives such as Motor Doctor 9990 and Oil Leak-Stop 9423, which are used to address increased oil consumption or ageing seals.
Furthermore, MANNOL covers other areas that become increasingly important with prolonged vehicle use. Take the cooling system, for example: Radiator Flush 9965 provides an efficient cleaning agent, whilst Radiator Leak-Stop 9966 offers a reliable solution for minor leaks. For older automatic cars, the MANNOL ATF-A PSF 8203 transmission oil is a good choice. Which products are suitable in a specific case always depends on the manufacturer’s specifications, as well as the vehicle’s technical specifications, usage profile and technical condition.
As well as technical maintenance, preserving the value of older vehicles is also of paramount importance. MANNOL’s Car Care range includes numerous products for a wide variety of applications – from Cockpit Cleaner 6105 and Anticor 9909 for corrosion protection to Headlight Polish 9801 for restoring worn plastic headlights.
Konstantin Gaab, Managing Director MANNOL / SCT Germany: “There are now more and more vehicles on Europe’s roads that are ten, twelve or even more years old. This presents a huge opportunity for the aftermarket. The higher the mileage, the more important it is to use lubricants and care products that are actually suited to the engine, the vehicle’s technology and its condition. It is precisely this flexibility that is the strength of our product range. We offer retailers and garages suitable solutions across the entire spectrum – from state-of-the-art new cars to heavily used vehicles with high mileage.”
The rise in the average age of passenger cars is further compounded by the EU End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation, which was adopted in 2026. It takes into account the entire life cycle of cars and provides new impetus for the circular economy, reuse and recycling. For MANNOL, this legislative initiative confirms that the company is on the right track: the careful and sustainable use of resources, operating fluids and vehicles is becoming increasingly important across the industry.
* Average age of passenger cars in the EU according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). Average age in Germany and ten-year comparison according to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).
