en 
The FINN Auto study was based on OECD data on average annual
earnings in each country, not counting the average salary calculated by
Eurostat. In this way, it is possible to compare countries with different
working hours and remuneration. In addition to average income, the cost of
purchasing a car, purchasing power, and fuel prices were also taken into
account.
The results reported in NM found that Portugal is the fourth most expensive
country in the world to own a car. Portugal registered a score of 8.19, with
Mexico, the most expensive country, receiving 9.70 out of 10.
The cheapest countries to own a car were found to be Luxembourg
(0.46), the USA (0.91), and Australia (1.97).
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It doesn't surprise me. Cars are expensive new and that has a similar effect on older cars. This explains the amount of older cars and poorly maintained or illegal cars/ drivers in the country.
By David Clark from UK on 01 Feb 2023, 19:35
This is not about car prices as the headline suggests, to attract attention.
This is about the average cost of buying, maintaining and running a car related to average income. Not car prices.
By Michael from Algarve on 02 Feb 2023, 12:29
This problem is compounded by the Portuguese authorities making it almost impossible to import a car from another EU country without paying a hefty import tax - cancellation of residency in home country, six months electricity bills in home country to the date of change of residency, car purchase & service records, car certificate of conformity, unhelpful staff etc.
So much for freedom of movement of goods across the EU....
By Mark Barber from Algarve on 03 Feb 2023, 11:13
Have recently had my Mercedes serviced in Portugal, paid 39 euros a ltr for oil. Oil bill alone 250 euros. Well done Mercedes in Portugal. More profit than owning an oil well.
He
By David Rees from Lisbon on 03 Feb 2023, 14:52
I do not understand the many articles on the internet regarding the high cost of ownership of vehicles in Portugal. Other than gas being fairly high in comparison to the U.S., used cars seem very reasonably priced. I see many with less than 100K KM for well under 10K Euro. And insurance looks to be about half of the average cost in the U.S.. What am I missing when I shop for used cars on Carros.com? Am I being deceived?
Example: https://carros.com/car/d19803b647994f9a90c803a33872b0a2-p56739/
By Tony S from USA on 11 Apr 2023, 22:53