Cars have become more expensive to maintain: owners' expenses have increased by nearly 50% over the year.

      The largest share of expenses traditionally went to fuel. Total spending at gas stations amounted to 226 billion rubles, which is 45% higher than the previous year's figures. The number of payments increased by a third, reaching 158 million transactions, while the average check grew slightly — by only 7%, to 1,400 rubles.

      The most noticeable growth was demonstrated by the category of car maintenance services. Thus, spending on car washes increased by 70%, and the number of visits rose by 79%. In auto services, the annual growth of expenses amounted to 55%, while the average cost of one visit reached 5,800 rubles.

      The overall increase in car maintenance expenses, with a relatively stable average check for fuel, may indicate several trends. Experts link this to both the increased intensity of personal vehicle use and the rising prices for service services, as well as the increased frequency of their consumption, reports the portal volga.news. The data indicates that maintaining a car in working condition is becoming a significant item of expenditure in the budgets of Russians.