Quarter More Oldtimers in the Netherlands in Five Years

Quarter More Oldtimers in the Netherlands in Five Years

The number of classic passenger cars aged 40 years or older in the Netherlands has increased by 28% to 217 thousand over the past five years, according to recent figures from CBS. This growth marks a significant rise in the ownership of nostalgic vehicles, with Volkswagen being the most common brand.

Increase in the Number of Oldtimers At the beginning of 2024, there were 47 thousand more registered oldtimers than five years earlier. Particularly, cars aged between 50 and 60 years have seen strong growth, doubling to 84 thousand vehicles.

Characteristics of Dutch Oldtimers The average age of an oldtimer is 53 years, with the oldest registered classic dating back to 1894. Volkswagen dominates the landscape with 32 thousand vehicles, followed by Mercedes and Citroën.

Usage and Colorfulness of Oldtimers On average, oldtimers drive about 1,800 kilometers per year, significantly less than modern cars. Blue is the most common color, followed by red and green, highlighting the colorful character of the fleet.

Differences in Oldtimer Ownership by Municipality The ownership of oldtimers varies greatly by municipality. Municipalities such as Alphen-Chaam and Opmeer have the highest number of oldtimers per thousand inhabitants, while urban areas such as Diemen and Almere have fewer oldtimers.

Transition Scheme for Young Oldtimers For cars aged 25 years and older, there was a full exemption from road tax until 2014. Today, this exemption only applies to cars aged 40 years and older, with a transitional scheme for petrol cars from before 1988 until they reach this age.

The increasing number of oldtimers in the Netherlands reflects not only a growing passion for classic vehicles but also changing legislation and tax policies that affect the ownership and use of these historic cars.

Source: CBS - Quarter More Oldtimers in Five Years