Car service and fuel expenses rise 46% over year

VTB Bank recorded a significant increase in clients« car maintenance costs in 2025. Compared to 2024, total expenses on fuel, washes, and services grew by 46%, and the number of corresponding payments increased by 41%. The average bill in these categories reached 1.3 thousand rubles (approximately $13 at current rates), which is 4% higher than last year»s figure.

The main share of expenses traditionally fell on fuel. Over the year, the bank«s clients spent 226 billion rubles (approximately $2.26 billion at current rates) at gas stations, which is 45% more than the 2024 amount. The number of transactions increased by one-third, reaching 158 million, while the average bill amount rose by 7% to 1.4 thousand rubles (approximately $14 at current rates).

Expenses at auto service centers also rose noticeably. At technical service stations, VTB clients left 19 billion rubles (approximately $190 million at current rates), which is 55% more than a year earlier. The number of payments increased by 43%, totaling 3 million operations, and the average bill reached 5.8 thousand rubles (approximately $58 at current rates).

The most dynamic growth was demonstrated by car washes. Over the year, spending on them amounted to 7.2 billion rubles (approximately $72 million at current rates), which is 70% higher than the 2024 indicator. The number of payments in this category increased by 79%.

The bank links this trend to an increase in car owners« investments in their vehicles.

»In 2025, VTB clients have started investing noticeably more in their cars: expenses on them have grown by almost 50%,« comments Alexei Okhorzin, senior vice president, head of the retail business products department at VTB. »The car for our clients is an important element of quality of life.«