The findings highlight rising technical risks, the growing financial exposure for households and a persistent lack of insurance coverage despite high car ownership and frequent long-distance travel.
The survey shows that 49% of Hungarian drivers use vehicles older than 16 years, a trend that significantly increases the likelihood of mechanical failures and unexpected repair costs. At the same time, only slightly more than two-fifths of vehicle owners, or 43%, have some form of financial risk mitigation in place, such as comprehensive casco insurance and/or roadside assistance services. As a result, the majority of car owners remain fully exposed in the event of breakdowns or body damage.
Car ownership remains widespread across the country. Nearly three-quarters of Hungarian households, or 72%, own at least one car, while more than half of drivers, 57%, take domestic trips of more than 100 kilometers at least once per quarter.
Europ Assistance undertook what it calls a comprehensive, representative survey to understand Hungarians’ car-use habits and vehicle-related insurance behavior better. The research found that, among the population aged 18 to 69, nearly three-quarters live in households with a private vehicle, and every fifth household owns more than one car.
Vehicle age data further underline the structural challenges of the domestic car fleet. According to the survey, 49% of cars in Hungary are at least 16 years old, while vehicles aged between six and 15 years account for 34% of the fleet. Only one in six cars falls into the newest category, aged between one and five years. These findings are consistent with data published by Hungary’s Central Statistical Office (KSH), which show that the average age of passenger cars in Hungary reached 16.2 years in 2024.
Despite the advanced age of vehicles, Hungarians continue to rely heavily on their autos for longer journeys. The survey indicates that more than half of drivers, 57%, travel at least 100 kilometers domestically by car at least once per quarter, while every third car owner does so at least once a month. Another third of the population undertakes such trips one to three times per year, and only one in five drivers reports never or very rarely traveling such distances.
The aging vehicle fleet has direct implications for road safety and household finances. Older cars are more prone to technical failures, increasing the risk that owners will face sudden, significant expenses following a breakdown or body damage. Nevertheless, 53% of motorists do not have any form of roadside assistance or casco insurance, both of which could provide financial relief in unexpected situations.
Mechanical problems can occur regardless of vehicle age, but the likelihood rises significantly as cars get older. Common issues include battery failure and electrical faults, coolant leaks or shortages, timing chain failures and tire blowouts. In more modern vehicles, software malfunctions and sensor errors are also increasingly common.
“Only slightly more than a quarter of Hungarian car owners, some 27%, take out roadside assistance insurance, which provides professional emergency and on-the-road support,” says Gábor Szabolcs Timár, operations director at Europ Assistance.
“Yet it is worth being forward-looking, as the risk of breakdowns increases with aging vehicles, even while driving,” he notes.
“As a result, potential recovery and transportation costs can suddenly put a strain on household budgets, whereas vehicle assistance services available from around HUF 1,400 per month provide a kind of financial and psychological safety net in the event of roadside emergencies, making family budget planning more predictable,” Timár adds.
Among Hungarians aged 18 to 69 who own a car, about one-fifth have casco insurance. Meanwhile, 14% receive roadside assistance services free of charge, typically from a dealership or service center, and 13% use standalone assistance services for which they pay a separate provider.
Despite relatively low uptake, confidence in the usefulness of vehicle assistance services is high. According to the survey, 91% of drivers consider roadside assistance beneficial, and, for two-thirds of respondents, it is an important factor that the service can be taken out for cars of any age and mileage.
Road safety concerns extend beyond long-distance travel. Accidents can occur even on short trips, such as routine urban errands, underscoring the importance of preparedness regardless of journey length. KSH data shows that in the first half of 2025 alone, a total of 6,629 road traffic accidents involving personal injury occurred in Hungary. The figures highlight that drivers do not need to travel abroad or cover long distances for serious incidents to happen.
“After a minor collision or vehicle breakdown, no one wants to be stranded on the side of a highway or, in some cases, in the middle of a busy road,” Timár says. “In such situations, the AutoSOS service offers a reassuring solution. By dialing a single phone number, drivers can access fast assistance available 24 hours a day, while affected customers receive automatic notifications by email or SMS about the arrival of the service provider,” he notes.
“Our expert colleagues also arrange on-site repairs and transport to a service facility. Even those with older vehicles do not need to worry, as our assistance services apply to cars of any age and mileage,” Timár adds.
The findings point to a widening gap between Hungary’s high level of car dependence and the relatively low level of financial protection among motorists. As the average age of vehicles continues to rise, industry experts warn that increasing awareness of insurance and assistance options will be critical to reducing both financial vulnerability and roadside risks for Hungarian households.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of January 30, 2026.
Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For over 30 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.
